Bastidor Sculptures for a Home Altar

KC wrote me that she feels constricted during the Pandemic because she cannot frequent the thrift store where she purchased these two Bastidor sculptures. Now that she has the time, …

Aunt Kigis’s Mandolin Brooch

Joanne sent me a lovely photo of a small, two and a half inch 18-karat gold and enameled mandolin brooch. She said her Aunt Kigi gave her the pin. Aunt …

Chinese Vase with Cabbage Symbolism

JS sent me a beautiful 18 inch canister shaped Chinese vase. She wonders why it bears a design with a repeating ‘grasses’ theme, and how old is it? She brings …

Janice’s athlete’s foot Barrel

Janice wrote me about a 21-inch-tall barrel with iron hoops, or bands, inscribed “Onox Prevents Athletes Foot.” (sic) It belonged to Janice’s mother. I’ve seen many treasured antiques in my …

From Soup to Nut Dish

JH owns a delightful little silver-plate nut dish, a curling stylized leaf on which perches a silver-plate squirrel. A stamp on the bottom states the Hatford Silver Co., Silver-plate. She …

Great Grandmother’s German Vase

TS sent me the result of her outing today up in the mountains off Gibraltar Road, some handpicked wildflowers. She also found her great grandmother’s German yellow vase in which …

Father Time and the Young Year

ED sent me a beautiful early 20th century Chromolithograph of Father Time and the Young Year as a boy signing the Book of Life together. A chromolithograph is created on …

Raise a Glass to this Medal

Let me see if I can value this medal sent by ES without pouring a glass of wine. I’ve never seen anything like this before, and I collect medals. She …

De Grazia Commercial Works

Sherri owns a framed image of a Native American mother and child (Navajo Madonna) signed “De Grazia.” Yes, it’s signed. Yes, it feels like a painted surface. But no, it’s …