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Q I purchased this plate for $1.50 at a neighborhood thrift retailer not too long ago. It’s about 24 cm in diameter (9.5 inches) and has a raised sample. The strains should not parallel or common making me surprise whether it is handmade. There are not any figuring out marks and it appears distinctive. I’m questioning what it was used for and if it has any worth. It’s preserving me in suspense and I’m utilizing it for a reflecting mild behind my candle. Thanks. Charlotte, Millbank, Ont.
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A Your plate requires hypothesis on sensible makes use of. Childrens dishes and match holders have been made in the identical materials however this might perform as a calling card tray. The fabric and stamped sample, typically regarded as tin is mainly the identical as so-called ‘tin’ ceilings in older shops. They’re skinny sheet metal with a coating of tin to stop rusting. It might need been a premium upon buy of a steel ceiling in a room. The handwork look comes from the stamping die sample which might initially should be executed by an artist. As soon as made, then items could possibly be stamped out identically. The situation is superb. It’s way more fascinating than its financial worth which is about 20 occasions your funding.
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Q I do know little about this fascinating object I purchased for $50 this previous summer season on the Lachute Market in Quebec. I simply thought it could look cool on my wall – and it does! It’s an association of dried flowers, fungi and grains underneath curved, barely raised glass and measures 51 tall by 35.5 cm throughout (20 x 14 inches). Its oval steel body has darkish inexperienced glass beads on the branches. On-line, related issues have been steered to be wedding ceremony bouquets – however I don’t agree.
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Thanks for any extra data you possibly can present!
Erin, Ottawa
A It is a memento, supposed as a present and any heartfelt occasion qualifies. I might name it a shallow shadow field – a collage protected and preserved by the glass and body. The flower basket is a conventional memento. A glance into the meanings or symbolism of the actual flowers used is named ‘Floriography’ or the ‘Language of flowers’ which could reveal its supposed function. The intelligent use of the basket of fungus reveals somebody with an appreciation of nature and the way out there supplies aided creativeness for inventive adaptation. It dates to circa 1900. You probably did properly and this memorable and ornamental paintings is value $150.
Q I used to be cleansing out my father’s desk and found this ink bottle in its authentic field. The bottle is 6 cm excessive (2.375 inches) and has some ink left in it. I believed this may maintain some curiosity for a collector of kinds. I hope you possibly can assist. Thanks.
David, Belleville, Ont.
A For a few years within the earlier 20th century contracts have been solely authorized if signed with a fountain pen – and never the newly invented ballpoint pens. Carter’s Ink Firm originated in the course of the 1860s in Boston and by the Eighteen Eighties was the biggest ink producer on the planet. By the Twenties fountain pens had taken over from straight pens. In 1941 they launched a brand new bottle design – your bottle – marketed as ‘Streamlined Ovals’ at a worth of 15 cents every. The corporate used many alternative types of wildlife, like your owls for every ink sort. There may be nice curiosity for collectors in objects having magnificence and historic data. Your boxed bottle was made in Montreal, Canada and owls at all times appeal to consideration. It’s value $125 in the present day.
John Sewell is an antiques and positive artwork appraiser. To submit an merchandise to his column, go to the ‘Contact John’ web page at www.johnsewellantiques.ca. Please measure your piece, say when and the way you bought it, what you paid and listing any figuring out marks. A high-resolution jpeg photograph should even be included. (Solely e-mail submissions accepted.)
* Appraisal values are estimates solely.*
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