Identifying Antique Designers and Makers Can Increase Value | News, Sports, Jobs

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Identify the designer of an antique and it will usually sell for more. Sometimes, an attribution is enough. This Aesthetic Movement table with an ebonized finish, incised gilt decoration, and floral panels sold for an impressive $6,144 at Neal Auction. While its visual appeal can’t be ignored—after all, it was created during the Aesthetic Movement era of the late 19th century, the era of “art for art’s sake”—its attribution to the New York firm Kimbel & Cabus was likely a factor in its sale.

The Kimbel & Cabus company was active from 1862 to 1882 and is famous for exhibiting its furniture at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876. The ebony table is typical of their designs, with its dark finish, gilding and engravings elaborate, its robust square shape and its decoration inspired by nature. Very little information about the company has survived. They marked their furniture with paper labels that wore away over time, so the only way to identify their furniture is to match it to photos in their only surviving trade catalog. This is why this table is assigned to them, without confirmation. Because they are so difficult to identify, Kimbel & Cabus furniture is extremely rare and therefore valuable.

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Q: I have quite a large collection of Roseville pottery. Do you know where I can find current prices?

A: For current prices, we recommend checking with local stores or doing some research online. There are several books on Roseville pottery that are helpful for identification, such as “Warman's Roseville Pottery” (second edition, Denise Rago, 2007) or “The Collectors Encyclopedia of Roseville Pottery” (volume 2, revised edition, Sharon & Bob Huxford and Mike Nickel, 2001), but they are old enough that the prices are outdated. The Just Art Pottery website (justartpottery.com) is a good source of information and prices. It has a section on Roseville. Another way to find current prices is to look at recent auction results. Search online for auction houses that specialize in art pottery and search their archives for past auctions. Rago Auction (ragoarts.com) has a solid reputation in the art pottery world. Remember that with pottery, condition is a big factor in price.

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Q: I need help identifying an antique witch's ball passed down through generations of my family. I do not know.

A: Witch balls are hollow blown glass balls suspended in the air or placed on a pedestal, usually as garden decorations. They became popular decorations in the mid-1800s. The name “witch's ball” is associated with many folk traditions. Some say it's because witches can use them as divination tools; others say they offer protection against witches' spells and evil spirits, either by reflecting them or by trapping them inside the ball. Another story claims that they were originally called “surveillance balls” because one could see their surroundings reflected in the glass, making them useful for monitoring a room, if kept indoors , or to see who was approaching the house, if they were kept outside. They are also called contemplation balls. They are made in many different colors and patterns; glassblowers may have made them as fancies, they were pieces made in their spare time to practice techniques, use up leftover glass, or give as gifts. Like many 19th-century glass forms, they enjoyed a revival in the 1920s and 1930s. Antique witches' balls sell for between $100 and $350. Their value is higher if you can identify a manufacturer and specify the year of manufacture.

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Q: I have a necklace made of a long strand of red faceted beads. Can you tell me what it might be worth?

A: Your necklace resembles the art deco style that was popular in the 1920s and 1930s. Its value will depend on the composition of the beads. We've seen similar necklaces with plastic beads sell for between $30 and $75; glass beads, about $50; precious stones, between $100 and $300. Check any metal parts, like the clasp and chain links or bead separators, to see if they have the manufacturer's mark or any information about the metal type. Costume jewelry from a famous manufacturer may be worth more than some pieces with precious stones. Costume Jewelry Collectors Int'l (costumejewelrycollectors.com) is an organization dedicated to providing educational resources to collectors and can be extremely helpful.

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TIP: Beware of fake Bakelite jewelry made in Taiwan and other Asian regions. The new plastic is heavier than the old Bakelite and if held under water will smell very different from the old Bakelite. Pins or metal decorations are riveted to old Bakelite but glued to new fakes.

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Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer reader questions sent to the column. Send a letter with a question describing the size, material (glass, pottery) and what you know about the item. Include only two photos, the item and a close-up of any marks or damage. Be sure to include your name and return address. By sending a question, you are granting full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses or e-mail addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions answered will appear in Kovels publications. Write to Kovels, (name of this newspaper), King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 or e-mail us at [email protected].