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 …
Phyllis Diller and the coat
R.E. has a glamorous kangaroo fur coat once owned by famous comedian Phyllis Diller. R.E. has wonderful provenance on this coat: Her sister was once a personal assistant to Miss …
Late 19th Century Toy Dog
ML from the Midwest sends me photos of this little flocked papier-mâché mechanical “noddy” dog, late 19th century. This is a life-sized model of a spotted black on white dog …
Regency-era fan hot seller in niche market
J.P. has a framed embroidered silk-on-paper lady’s fan depicting an elegant couple seated in a horse-drawn Regency-era cabriolet, circa 1820. I couldn’t find any similar fans so I resorted to …