Page 47 - March 2022

By Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel

ost clocks have hands that move to tell the time, but a group of
Collecting Tip:
Mclocks that also had moving eyes were popular about 1850. Most of
these figural iron clocks were made by Bradley and Hubbard of Meriden, Put your antique clock on the wall, a wall
Connecticut. A few others were made by Chauncey Jerome. The clocks shelf, or on a level floor and move it as little
are popular with collectors because they are so entertaining. Because they as possible.
are iron, they are hard to damage. Many were made to represent real Terry Kovel
people or animals.
This owl motion clock with green glass eyes that move back and forth Q: I’d like to know what an old stoneware canning jar is worth. It’s about 5 inches
in a silver-plated case sold in 2021 for $1,900 in a Morford’s auction. high and is tan and brown. The lid is embossed “The Weir, Pat. Mar 1st, 1892.”
You might be able to find some other antique moving- or blinking-eye A: The March 1, 1892, patent was for a self-seal canning jar invented by William
clocks. Look for John Bull (1858), the German S. Weir of Monmouth, Illinois. Weir Pottery Co. was established in 1899 with
Burgermeister, Topsey, the Admiral, and a him as its president. The pottery made stoneware canning jars. Western
Continental Soldier. Twentieth-century clocks with Stoneware Co. took over Weir Pottery and six other potteries in 1906. Weir
moving eyes have been made of wood or plastic, and Pottery continued in business as Plant 2 until Western Stoneware Co. went out
some modern versions feature cats, dogs, or cartoon of business in 1985. The price of your canning jar is under $25.
characters. But the clock with moving eyes that is ***
most remembered because it was used in many Q: When we were clearing out my parent’s attic, I found a two-arm lamp from the
nurseries for the past 79 years is the black plastic cat 1950s. It has white hobnail glass shades and a long brass pole between the lights with
called the Kit-Cat Klock. It was first made in 1932, a loop at the top. I remember seeing it in our living room for the longest time.
and new versions are still made. Is it collectible?
Moving eyes add interest to an antique clock. This blinking A: Styles like your lamp with brass bases and glass hobnail (raised bumps)
owl clock sold for $1,900 at a Morford’s auction in 2021.
or ribbed shades were popular in the 1950s and 1960s. Mid-century style is
currently popular, as is the streamlined modern look of designers like the Eames
he term “trompe l’oeil,” meaning “fool the eye,” is an art style that husband-and-wife team and Harry Bertoia. Vintage lamps like yours in good
Twas popular in the 19th century. By then, artists and audiences had condition are found in many antique stores and flea markets. The price depends
enjoyed optical illusions for thousands of years. The original trompe l’oeil on condition and size.
style dates back much further. An ancient Greek story tells of the ***
legendary painter Zeuxis, whose still-life Q: We found a painted bench at an antique shop that was in excellent condition
paintings were so realistic that birds would except for a piece of chewing gum stuck under the seat. What is a good way to remove
fly down to peck the grapes. Another gum without damaging the furniture?
painter, Parrhasius, challenged him to a A: Place an ice cube in a plastic bag and hold it against the gum. After the gum
contest and showed him a painting covered freezes solid, use a plastic credit card or spatula to scrape it off. You can hit large
by curtains. The set of shelves shown here pieces with a hammer to break them off. Remove any sticky traces with lemon
looks like it is filled with books and figures, juice. Avoid using commercial solvents. They can damage antique furniture.
but it’s a trompe l’oeil screen! The shelves
and their contents are printed on wood ***
panels. It’s a creation by Piero Fornasetti, an Q: I would like to know what this tiny stone box is. It smells really good inside. The
Italian designer who worked from 1935 to stone looks like marble, but it has tiny, indented openings on each side and the lid is
the 1980s. He brought his skill and sense unusual. I haven’t seen anything quite like it and would love to know more.
of humor to furniture, ceramics, and more. A: This style of marble trinket box with floral mother-of-pearl inlay was
It’s no trick: Fornasetti’s trompe His work often included optical illusions commonly made in India in the 1970s. The quatrefoil carvings are another
l’oeil screen, estimated at $7,000 or realistically detailed images in surreal common design element in this type of box. The scent is most likely
to $10,000 at Palm Beach compositions. The screen sold for $9,100 at from a previous owner who may have stored incense in the box. The value of
Modern Auctions in Florida, Palm Beach Modern Auctions in Florida.
brought $9,100. comparable boxes is $20 to $30.

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
Wood carving, snow sled, three-board seat, iron Patent model, ice skate, wood, hinged footbed, Vase, satin glass, cased, orange to white, allover gilt
supports, and strapping, runners and edges curve retractable blade, inscribed, Dec. 1867, 7 1/2 coral branchwork, shouldered, swollen neck, marked,
up in front to form handles, Victorian, 31 x 50 x inches, $325. Thomas Webb & Sons, 9 x 4 3/4 inches, $100.
15 inches, $630.
Fire screen, pine board, cutout, urn with flowers, Toy, waltzing couple, Les Valeurs, man and woman
Advertising tin, biscuits, Normandie, luxury ocean painted, multicolor, molded rectangular base, dance a waltz, metal, cloth, windup mechanism
liner shape, detailed graphics, flag, red, white, and Continental, 19th century, 43 x 30 x 9 inches, $720. under woman’s skirt, wheeled base, Fernand Martin,
blue, removable lid with three smokestacks on top, c. 1910, 7 1/2 inches. $800.
22 inches, $1,475. Staffordshire plate, historical flow blue, Robert
Burns, portrait center, six scenes from his life and Jewelry, pin, figural, cat,blue-greenn cabochon head
Coca-Cola toy, trailer, die-cast metal, red, white writing around border, 10 inches, $30. and body, 18K gold ears and tail, white gold
lettering, “It’s The Real Thing,” pallets with green whiskers, blue faceted stone eyes, marked, Cartier,
bottles, Buddy L, box, 1976, $50. Rug, hooked, child in red coat on horse-drawn sled, Italy, 1 1/2 x 3/4 inches, $1,280.
cottage, hills and trees in background, handmade,
c. 1930, 38 inches, $190.

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.
March 2022 45