Category: Treasure Hunt

Treasure Hunt 20/12/31

Dear Donna,

This cast iron plaque was mounted on our shed door. We removed it when the shed was replaced and now would like to know a little more about it. It weighs around 10 pounds and is 11 inches wide and 8.5 inches tall. Anything you can tell me will be greatly appreciated.

Ellen

Dear Ellen,

What was in your shed is a reproduction of a fire marker. This one was representing The United Firemen’s Insurance Co. These markers were used back in the 1800s on homes to show the owners were insured. They were mounted on the exterior of the home in full view.

To find an original one is tough, and there are reproductions out there. There are many ways to tell a reproduction from an authentic one; you can find much of this information online. The interesting point I found was that the originals were never painted in red. Gold was colorized to show up clearly.

With so many reproductions around today, the market for even the older ones is in the range of $20 to $30. For more information, check out the history of fire markers. I found it all very interesting.

Treasure Hunt 20/09/03

Dear Donna,
This is a 1920s large paper cutter that I acquired from a school flea market years ago. I have used this for years. The other day my friend said this could be worth something! So even though I don’t want to part with it, I am curious now.
Camille

Dear Camille,
Just want to start off by saying I have one too and use it often. They were made so well that they seem to last forever. Lots have made it through the test of time, which makes the values low; I see them around in the $20 to $100 range, depending on size, condition and age. So it is worth something, but I think more to the people who still use them. Keep using your paper cutter and enjoy.

Treasure Hunt 20/09/03

Dear Donna,
Attached are two photos of a lovely old print (the print part is 6” x 14”) and a closeup of the signature, which I can’t quite read. The frame, I suspect, is original. Any thoughts?
Phil

Dear Phil,
I have to start off by saying that I too tried to figure out the signature but didn’t have any luck either. It’s a tough one! But I think you are right that it’s in the original frame, and it is a pleasant subject. It looks to be around the 1900s, so that is something to start with. The value of a print is affected by whether it is signed, numbered and made by a specific company or attributed to an artist.

I think it is fair to say that content is very important and has to be pleasing for buyers to want to purchase it. I think the frame is important too. Yours appears to be a faux tortoise with a gold wood trim, clean and in good shape. I think even if it is just a mass-produced print the value would be in the $60 range just from appearance, and sometimes that is all we have to base it on.

Treasure Hunt 20/08/27

Dear Donna,
This is a piece of wall art, I think. Can you tell me anything about this? I was told it was possibly used to decorate cakes. Is it worth anything?
Janet

Dear Janet,
OK, you got me! I have never seen a piece like this referred to as a cake decorating piece. The wood and carving have a foreign appearance. I would also say yes it’s for a wall hanging by seeing the hook in back.

I think what you have is a decorative wooden plaque. It’s most likely not too old but still a nice-looking piece. Things don’t always have to be of high value to be enjoyed. I do think the value of yours would be under $25.

Treasure Hunt 20/08/20

Dear Donna,
This table once belonged to my husband’s grandparents. The table has a marble top and looks like Art Deco style. I would appreciate a visual appraisal from my photo.
Tina

Dear Tina,
Very pretty marble top hallway table. It could have been from the 1920s or even earlier. It has a sweet Victorian style metal (iron) base.

The value of it is in the $250 range, but the hard part is to get that price! These days it is tough to fit this style into many modern-style homes. Keep that marble top safe and not cracked or broken or the value would be much less, or expensive to replace.

Treasure Hunt 20/08/13

Dear Donna,

This is a hanging ceramic plaque that belonged to my grandmother and I have always loved looking at it, especially when I was a little girl growing up in Texas. Can you tell me anything about this art? I have been to antique stores and can’t find one as pretty or similar to this one.
Crystal

Dear Crystal,
From your photo, it looks more like earthenware than ceramic. You can almost see the clay from the broken chip. This leads me to think it was a piece of majolica.

Majolica was pottery in Italy, Spain and Mexico. Some of the work is crude and some very detailed. Later stuff from Mexico seems to be less detailed and the glazes not so cleanly done.

It’s tough because not all pieces are marked by the makers. In some cases the piece is signed but the artist is not known. To give a value I think you have to look at the fine detailing and quality of this piece; if it is majolica it would help, but that’s not the total picture. I recommend you have someone look at it in person. For now, I think we are safe to say it is most likely in the $40 range just for the subject and quality of the plaque.

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