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Aug 03, 2023

An Art Deco sideboard, Renaissance Revival music chair and family heirlooms: What are they worth?

This month’s reader submissions about their collectibles range from an ornate 1920s Art Deco sideboard found at an estate sale to a George III Period Ironstone platter. Additional treasured family

This month’s reader submissions about their collectibles range from an ornate 1920s Art Deco sideboard found at an estate sale to a George III Period Ironstone platter. Additional treasured family heirlooms include an English Victorian “music chair” and pewter teapot, and an American opalescent glass berry bowl.

This Art Deco sideboard is likely French.Courtesy of the collector

Q: I bought this cabinet at an estate sale about 10 years ago. I wondered if you could enlighten us a bit about it. A friend said the wood is white oak. It is 63 inches high, 74 inches wide, and 20 inches deep. There are no labels on the back or in the drawers. S.F., Portland.

A: Your Art Deco sideboard is likely French, and likely dates to the 1920s. Based on your photographs, the repoussé floral decorated silver-finished details appear well done. In addition, the beveled glass panes and the contrasting veneer finishes both suggest this was a well-made piece of furniture. At an auction, you might expect an estimate of $600-$900. A dealer who specializes in Art Deco furniture might ask $3,000-$4,000 for such a piece, if in excellent condition. It’s important to remember for insurance that a replacement might be most readily found in Europe, and the cost of overseas shipping has increased significantly in the past couple of years. If you needed to replace this piece, it may be that the combined cost in a specialty shop, and the related shipping costs to the United States, could easily reach $5,000-$6,000, or even more.

This music chair is in a Renaissance Revival style, is likely mahogany, and likely dates to the last quarter of the 19th century.Courtesy of the collector

Q: Here is a chair from my mother’s estate. The seat opens to a compartment by lifting the top. I could not find a trademark on it. It is 45 inches in height. Can you tell me anything about it? DO, Long Beach, Washington.

A: Your side chair in a Renaissance Revival style, is likely mahogany, and likely dates to the last quarter of the 19th century. Based on your photographs, it is likely English in origin. Antique collectors and dealers commonly call chairs without arms “side chairs,” and chairs with arms “armchairs.” This style of chair with a compartment under a hinged seat is commonly referred to as a “music chair” and will most frequently be found without arms. The compartment was commonly used to store sheet music. At an auction, you might see an estimate of $100-$150 for this type of music chair. A dealer who specializes in Victorian furniture might ask $250-$350 for such a chair, if in excellent condition.

This bowl is by the Jefferson Glass Company of Follansbee, West Virginia.Courtesy of the collector

Q: This bowl belonged to my great grandparents, who were from Nebraska. Can you tell me anything about it? It is 5 inches across and 2 inches tall. It looks in perfect condition, but I’m sure it is old. JR, Gresham.

A: Your bowl is by the Jefferson Glass Company of Follansbee, West Virginia. They were in business from 1900 until 1930. It is in the “Iris with Meander” pattern, is of blue opalescent pressed glass, and dates to circa 1902. This bowl is an individual berry bowl and was likely originally part of a set comprised of a larger serving bowl and six individual bowls. Such seven-piece berry serving sets have recently sold in the $60-$90 range at auction. A dealer might ask $15-$25 for an individual bowl such as this in undamaged condition.

This platter is in the “Canton” pattern and was made by the Masons of Lane Delph in England.Courtesy of the collector

Q: This platter was my mother’s and has always hung in our kitchen. It is 13 ¼ inches by 10 ¾ inches. It says “Mason’s Patent Ironstone China” on the back. I would like to know how old it is and anything you could tell me. SC, Troutdale.

A: Your platter is in the “Canton” pattern and was made by the Masons of Lane Delph in England. Originally, Miles Mason (1752-1822) founded the business, which was taken over in 1813 by his two sons George and Charles James. It was Charles James who invented and patented “Ironstone” in 1813. Your platter is glazed ceramic, has a transfer decoration with hand-painted details and likely dates to 1815-1825. Collectors sometimes refer to this pattern as “Chinese Mountain.” You might see an auction estimate of $80-$120 for a platter of this pattern without chips or cracks. A dealer specializing in Georgian and Victorian antiques might ask $500-$700 or even a bit more if in undamaged condition. It is uncommon to find examples that are without any damage.

Pewter Teapot was indeed made by James Deakin & Sons.Courtesy of the collector

Q: This pewter teapot is from England by James Deakin & Sons of Sheffield. It is marked underneath and has the number “8999″ as well. It is 6 inches in height. I was wondering if it is worth anything and how old it might be. My dad says he remembers it when he was a boy, and he is 88 years old. S.J., Portland.

A: Your Pewter Teapot was indeed made by James Deakin & Sons. The company was founded in Sheffield in 1866 by James Deakin. He had a partnership with his son William Pitchford Deakin in 1878. In 1886 two further sons, John and Albert, entered into this partnership and the firm became James Deakin & Sons. As the company became a limited liability company known as James Deakin & Sons Ltd. in 1897, your teapot dates to circa 1886-1897. At auction, other examples of this teapot have previously sold for $30-$40 each. A dealer in Victorian antiques might ask $50-$80 for such a teapot in excellent condition.

The values discussed for items featured in this column were researched by Portland appraiser Jerry L. Dobesh, ASA, an Accredited Senior Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers, with a specialty designation in Antiques & Decorative Arts. His services include providing appraisals for estate tax, charitable contribution, insurance scheduling and loss, and equitable distribution needs.

To find an appraiser, contact the American Society of Appraisers, the International Society of Appraisers, or the Appraisers Association of America. Estimates suggested in this Collectibles column are for general information purposes only and cannot be used as a basis for sale, insurance, or IRS purposes.

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