Category: Treasure Hunt

Hi, Donna,

I have a rattan chair made by the Wakefield Rattan Co. out of Wakefield, Mass. The chairprecedes the merge with Hayward Furniture Co. As you can see by the label the pattern date is April 1877. After much research all I know is that it is called a double back chair. But that is about all, except for the information on the label on the bottom of the chair. Can you tell me more about the chair and its value?

Jane

Dear Jane,

You made my job easy on your chair. The research you have done on your Wakefield chair is correct. It was before the merge in the late 1800s into Hayward Wakefield. The value on most Hayward or Wakefield items, and even Hayward Wakefield items, is high as long as there is no damage and the item is close to original condition. They were a leading company in rattan furniture and then went on. I found values all over the place. The more elaborate the design the higher the value. So I think it’s safe to say yours would be in the $700+ range to a collector. Nice treasure!

Donna Welch has spent more than 35 years in the antiques and collectibles field, appraising and instructing. Her new location is an Antique Art Studio located in Dunbarton, NH where she is still buying and selling. If you have questions about an antique or collectible send a clear photo and information to Donna at [email protected], or call her at 391-6550.

Hello, Donna.

We acquired this little gem contained in a box lot at a local auction. It’s quite small and the glass is very thin. It’s a miracle that it has survived since the 1770s-1780s as the auction tag indicates. It also states that it is quite rare. Do you have any clue as to its value?Paul

Dear Paul,

Your bottle does look like a legitimate 18c medicine bottle.

This type of bottle is usually from Europe and then used here in the U.S. The bottle does look oxidized. That is the white fogging color you can see in the photo. It could have been dug up from the ground at one point. Bottle collectors consider this a sick bottle.

The value on it would be in the $100 range to a collector. I’m just not sure being an oxidized bottle it would bring that. There are things out on the market that you can get to help clean some of that. It’s rare to get it all out but depends on what you want for a look from the bottle.

Hello, Donna.

Can you help with a value on this piece of pottery marked Roseville? It’s in good condition with no damage. Any information would be great.

Thanks.

Skip

Dear Skip,

Roseville Pottery has been around since the late 1800s. The pottery came in lots of different colors and patterns.

Your Water Lily pattern vase in brown has the mark 7 on the bottom. This gives you the height of the piece. It was produced in the 1940s in multiple styles and colors.

For a given piece you need to consider color, size, rarity of the pattern and when it was made. As always condition is everything. The brown color in Water Lily pattern is in the $80 range for a value if it’s in good clean condition with no damage.

Skip, I hope this was helpful and answered your questions. Thank you for sharing with us.

Dear Donna,

We bought an old bedroom set and recycled it. I didn’t want to throw the wood knobs away. I’m thinking of giving them to the church for a yard sale. Can you give me an idea of the price for them to sell? There are 26 of them in good condition. All are 2 inches round but I’m not sure of the wood.

Thank you, Donna.

Sherry

Dear Sherry,

I always say there is a use for almost everything. I think having so many of one kind gives them a bit more value. Old knobs and pulls can be important to replace others or for restoration. If you’re lucky enough to find one or two knobs that match an original piece it’s great. Or having enough to replace them all can help too. Some early hardware can be very costly to replace and hard to find. Especially in large quantities.

Your wooden ones look like they could be from the 1950s or 1960s. I think the value should be around $30. But in a yard sale environment it probably would be a little less. Raising money and finding a new home for them is what’s important.

Thanks, Sherry, for asking and saving them. Good luck.

Dear Donna,

I got this flower ceiling light at a local consignment store. I have a question about whether it should be re-wired. Also can you give me an idea if I got a deal on it or not?

Thank you, Donna.

Phil

Dear Phil,

Your chandelier looks to be in good clean condition.

Let’s address the wiring first. I always say if there is any wear on the cord or where it makes an electrical contact, then definitively yes, it should be re-wired. Better safe than sorry, right? If it’s clean and still not hard but a pliable cord then maybe just leave it.

If your chandelier is an older one from the 1940s-1970s and in working order I would say the value is in the range of $250.

It could also be a reproduction of an older one. You could tell by the electrical cord, screws, paint or if there is any maker’s name on it.

So, Phil, depending on what you paid for it, I would say you got a little treasure. Nice piece. Thanks for sharing with us and I hope you get to use it with minimal or no repairs.

Dear Donna,

I’m checking with you for advice. I have inherited this pair of sterling silver marked Gorham candlesticks. They are in good condition but in need of cleaning. Should I clean and what would you recommend if yes?

Ann

Dear Ann,

Good question, to clean sterling silver or not! Gorham has been around since the early 1800s. Gorham Silver, later Gorham Manufacturing Co., was a very well-known producer of quality silver — not just candlesticks but many other items as well. The company was located in Providence, Rhode Island, and had a long and interesting history.

Cleaning silver is to me a personal choice. It needs to be done correctly. There are many cleaning and polishing products you can use. Just follow the instructions and never use anything abrasive. A hint for cleaning is don’t bother unless you want to keep doing it. The exposure to sir, sun etc. will tarnish it again. So if you’re just going to keep them for family history, pack them in cloth and an airtight bag and store away. Sterling silver is beautiful and reflective, but a lot of work keeping that way as well.

The value of your pair of weighted Gorham candlesticks is in the range of $250+. (Weighted silver is a thin coat of silver over sand or cement, mostly used in the base for stabilizing.) Nice treasure to inherit! Thanks for sharing.