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By Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel

u’est-ce que c’est un chenet? Part of collecting antiques is always Collecting Tip:
Qlearning — whether you’re going deeper into history, discovering a Mint, rosemary, lavender, and thyme will
new-to-you artist, or learning a term in another language. repel moths. Hang bunches of the herbs near
“Chenet” is the French word for “andiron,” the iron brackets that
hold logs in a fireplace. The andirons keep the burning logs off the floor, stored textiles.
allowing air to circulate. “Chenet” comes from the French word for “little Terry Kovel
dog,” and they are sometimes known as “firedogs” in English. Perhaps
they reminded people of small dogs lying down by the fire. Dogs were a Q: My husband has an Allman Bros. T-shirt that he bought at a concert in the
popular decoration on them! Cast figures in a shiny metal, like brass, were early 1990s. Are rock ‘n’ roll T-shirts collectible? Are they valuable?
often added to andirons to reflect A: Rock on! Value, authenticity, and condition are top when trying to
the light of the fire and brighten the evaluate concert T-shirts. Other value factors include: a limited-run concert
room. Metal crafters experimented shirt (promotional and not mass-produced), the specific tour for which it
with designs, including columns, was produced, or something newsworthy related to a specific tour. Some
animals, human figures, and very rare rock T-shirts, like a 1993 Nirvana T-shirt worn by the band’s crew,
mythological characters. have sold for thousands of dollars. Most do not sell for that much. A 1982
This set of Louis XV style T-shirt from The Who North American Tour recently sold for $119 at an
chenets, which sold for $500 at auction store. Let your husband enjoy his Allman Bros. T-shirt. The value is
New Orleans Auction Galleries, in his memories.
features putti (cupids or cherubs), ***
grapes, wheat, and gilt bronze This set of Louis XV style chenets, made in Q: Twenty years ago, I bought three sets of clothbound Japanese block print
scrolls. The set was made in France France in the late 19th century, sold for folders. One of them has a dealer’s note that says “Rikka Shinan (an introduction
in the late 19th century. $500 at New Orleans Auction Galleries. or a guide to the art of flower arrangement)” and “the date 1688.” All books
consist of very thin parchment-type paper. Who would be interested in these, and
what might they be worth?
ou’ve heard of philately (stamp collecting) and numismatics A: Rikka is the oldest form of ikebana, the classical art of Japanese flower
Y(collecting currency and medals), but what about pocillovy? Derived arranging. The term means “standing flowers.” It includes flowers, branches,
from the Latin words for “little cup” and “egg,” “pocillovy” is the word and leaves in tall, vertical arrangements. The book you mentioned is listed on
for collecting eggcups. Eggcups are said to have originated in France. the International Society of Ikebana Research website (www.ikebana.link).
King Louis XV (1715-1774) made them popular. Later, they made their The society may be able to give you some information about the books
way into Victorian dinner services, where nearly every type of food had its and their value.
own specialized dish and utensils. ***
British manufacturers quickly realized Q: I inherited four original and copywritten Indian photographs by Roland W.
that these small ceramic cups would make Reed. He lived in my hometown of Ortonville, Minnesota, for some time. My
excellent souvenirs, and people started family acquired the photos in the early 1900s. They are in the original frames,
collecting them. Eggcups are still made and which aren’t in good condition, and some fading has taken place. What is the
collected and have adapted to changing value of these old photos?
styles in ceramics. A: Roland W. Reed (1864-1934) did portrait and landscape photography
This eggcup with a stylized chicken’s
head, wings, and tail, called “Coquetier and is known for his photos portraying life as it was before Indian tribes were
moved to reservations. He opened a studio in Ortonville, Minnesota, in
Poule,” sold for $2,080 at Palm Beach 1899 and later opened a second studio in Bemidji. He sold his studios in
Modern Auctions in Florida. It was designed 1907, moved several times, and began photographing Native American
by Francois-Xavier Lalanne, a 20th-century tribes in nearby areas. He also took promotional photos for the railroads and
Francois-Xavier Lalanne French sculptor, whose designs were often
often used animal motifs in his made to look like animals. Along with his national parks. Reed won a gold medal for “pictures of an educational and
modern, minimalist sculptures. wife and collaborator Claude, he often made historic value” at the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, where his photos
His porcelain eggcup with a were displayed in the Indian Arts Building. Some of his photos were made
chicken’s head, wings, and whimsical, surreal sculptures. His playful, in limited editions. Some have been reprinted. Some sell at auction for prices
tail sold for $2,080 at Palm modernist style is seen in the plain white ranging from $50 to a few hundred dollars or even $2,000. If the photos are
Beach Modern Auctions. color and stylized features of the eggcup. not in good condition, they will sell for much less.

Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States.
Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.
CURRENT PRICES
Art glass compote, pink opaline, flared shape, clam- Royal Copenhagen platter, Flora Danica pattern, World War I poster, female nurse, reaching out, Red
broth stem and foot, Stevens & Williams, England, botanical design, gilt notched rim, marked & Cross uniform and cap, marching soldiers, and
4 1/2 x 10 inches, $40. numbered, c. 1965, 16 x 12 1/4 inches, $2,125. American flag in background, signed by artist
Harrison Fischer, 20 x 25 inches, $220.
Candy container, Santa Claus holding feather tree Jewelry, ring, love token, 9K gold-rimmed band, inset
branch with berry tip, red coat with white snowy woven hair, a gold plaque with initials “L.R.,” Box, document, Chippendale, carved wood, double
trim, composition, fur beard, early 20th century, engraved inside “JCD to LR,” Victorian, 3/16 inches eagle design, scrollwork, round metal escutcheon with
8 inches, $1,415. wide, $190. scalloped edge, hinged lid, talon on ball feet, 7 x 13
inches, $1,440.
Jewelry, pin, faceted oval citrine, milled wire mount, Furniture, table, Oscar Bach, demilune, black marble
surrounded by scrolling gold tone mount with top, iron base with four curved flattened supports, Trunk, wood, slightly domed hinged lid, iron straps,
four split pearls and four rubies, Regency Period, bronze open scrollwork frieze and decoration, 32 x 32 side handles and lock, original green paint, marked on
1 inch, $260. x 11 inches, $300. inside, Martin Fischer, 1868, 24 x 33 inches, $330.
Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer questions sent to the column. By sending a letter with a question and a picture, you give full permission for use in the column or any other Kovel forum. Names,
addresses or email addresses will not be published. We cannot guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. The amount of mail makes personal answers or
appraisals impossible. Write to Kovels, (Journal of Antiques & Collectibles), Kovels.com P.O. Box 23192, Beachwood, Ohio 44122.
40 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles