The Best of Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts from One of the Greats
D & P from Solvang writes me that a family member was a 1970’s Central Coast antiques dealer: she found this lamp in Santa Barbara. D & P suspect it …
Flag a symbol of spirit, but not the kind you might think
E.S.J. has collected a 20th century Haitian Vodou flag, measuring 28 inches square. The center of this dazzling object is a pink heart interspersed with blue/green leaves; the completely graphic …
Etching with Two Artist’s Names
P.J. sends me a little etching of a river with windmills, signed in one corner Leon Gaucherel (1816-86) and in the other Claude Mannet, a little known painter (not the …
Shona sculpture fraught with political overtones
J.E. has a South African semi-abstract sculpture, 20 inches by 12 inches by 5 inches, of a female with flowing tresses. The stone it’s made of is steatite, or, as …
Selling Your Home After Losing a Loved One
Guest Post by Lucille Rosetti After the loss of a loved one who shares your home with you, you may look around your house and realize it’s just not home …
Bright idea: Ship in a lightbulb
S.F. in Camarillo has a ship in a bottle; rather, a ship in a lightbulb. He first witnessed this little miracle in his grandparent’s home in the 1930s. He thinks …
What’s the Difference Between a Mine Cut Diamond and a Brilliant Cut Diamond?
Dr. Elizabeth Stewart explains the difference between a brilliant cut diamond and a mine cut diamond. She also answers the question “What is an assay mark?”
Arts and Crafts lamp likely designed by Handel
This Arts and Crafts lamp is likely designed by Handel. COURTESY PHOTO D.G. has a leaded glass table lamp in the Arts and Crafts style from the first quarter of …
Determining Value
PJ from Carpinteria says, during the tragedies of the last few months, she “lost control” of her household. “I’m now feeling like I need a check list on how to …
Illegible Signature on a Possible Valuable Painting
J.S. writes that she found an original oil on hardboard at a vintage shop: she asks if I might help identify its near-illegible signature. What follows is how I narrow …