Page 56 - JOA-august-23

on Antiques & Collectibles

By Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel

n North America, summer, especially late summer, is butterfly season. Collecting Tip:
Multiple generations hatch as caterpillars grow, pupate, and emerge Wear your old jewelry, especially the pieces that
Ito pollinate flowers and lay eggs of their own. look old. You will be surprised how many will ask
If you would prefer a butterfly that lasts longer, they often appear in about it. Terry Kovel
decorative arts and jewelry, like this pin or pendant that sold for $594 at
New Orleans Auction Galleries. Real-life butterflies are admired for the Q: I’d like to know the value of a porcelain vase that was my grandmother’s. It
striking colors and patterns of their wings, but this pin dazzles with has pink and yellow flowers on a white background. The vase is cylindrical,
gemstones. Its colors come from about 1.72 carats of sapphires. tapered slightly in the middle, and is 12 inches tall and about 4 inches wide. The
While the name of the stone is synonymous with a brilliant shade of bottom is marked with what looks like a bag tied with a ribbon with the words
blue, sapphires can come in many other colors, as they do here. About “Willets” above and “Belleek” below.
2.90 carats of diamonds add more sparkle (and value!) to the pin. A: Belleek, a cream-colored porcelain with a pearly glaze, was first made in
They are rose cut, an old shape with irregular facets meant to preserve the Ireland in the 1860s. In the 1880s, Willets Manufacturing Company was
original size and shape of the stone. one of a few American companies that made Belleek. The mark is a snake,
Today, most diamonds in jewelry whose body makes three loops forming a triangular shape. Willets closed
are brilliant cut, a style that was around 1912. New Jersey China Pottery Co. made pottery with the Willets
developed in the 18th century to Belleek name until about 1914. Value depends on size, decoration, and
create more facets on the stone and condition. A 12-inch vase painted with flowers sold last year for $90.
reflect more light. ***
Q: We own a 1954 White Furniture Company “Colleton Collection” dining
You won’t see a butterfly like this one in your room set which includes a table with chairs, breakfront, and credenza. We’d like
garden! This butterfly-shaped pin sparkles with to know what it’s worth.
multicolored sapphires and antique-cut diamonds.
A: Brothers William E. and David A. White began making furniture in
Mebane, North Carolina (NC), in 1881. It was incorporated as White Rickel
ntique advertising and store signs are popular collectibles and Furniture Co. in 1896 after A.J. Rickel invested in the company. Rickel sold
decorations. Sometimes, the makers are as interesting as the his interest in 1899 and the name became White Furniture Co. In a 1946
Asubjects. This butcher’s sign, made of painted cast iron, sold for magazine ad for “Colleton Collection” dining room furniture, the company
$1,188 at an auction by Cowan’s (Hindman). It was made by the Bernard claimed to be “the south’s oldest makers of fine furniture.” The company
Gloekler company. merged with Hickory Manufacturing Co. of Hickory, NC, in 1988 and the
The eponymous Bernard Gloekler, who immigrated to the United name became Hickory White Co. The factory in Mebane closed in 1993.
States from Germany, started his factory and shop in Pittsburgh. He had Value depends on the desirability of the style, type of wood, and condition.
previously trained as a gunsmith but took his mechanical talents in a A mahogany double pedestal table sold for $650, and a walnut round table
with two leaves and six chairs sold for $300.
different direction: making industrial kitchen equipment for shops,
restaurants, and hotels. By the early 20th century, they were doing ***
business all over the United States. When Gloekler died in 1911, his son Q: A very heavy wooden chest was dropped off at our local transfer location and
Charles took over the company. given to us because neighbors know we like odd pieces of furniture. We had to use
The design seen on this sign, a saw, cleaver, and knife with a standing a forklift to move it. We think it is a bridal chest from the early 20th century. It
bull for a finial, appears on many other is 43 x 78 1/2 x 27 1/2 inches. The lid has remnants of heavily decorated painted
Gloekler pieces. For example, a smaller pasteboard panels. The interior is cedar. Does it have any value?
version may be used as a crest on butch- A: Large wooden bridal chests in good condition can sell for a few hundred
er’s racks. Maybe keep Gloekler in mind dollars. Size, provenance, and condition, or a well-known maker, help deter-
at your next barbecue! mine the price. Chests that are too heavy to move easily or are in poor condition
don’t sell well. The peeling pasteboard panels on your chest would be difficult
to restore. A heavily European-decorated bridal chest from the second half of
We may not know who this sign was for, but it the 19th century was up for auction last year. It was in poor condition and listed
was made by the Bernard Gloekler Company of as “difficult to move.” It didn’t sell, even though the starting bid was listed as
Pennsylvania. They made kitchen equipment $150. You might find someone who enjoys taking on a project, but the weight
for restaurants, hotels, and butcher shops. will keep most people from tackling it.

Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales, and auctions throughout the United States.
CURRENT PRICES Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.
Shaving mug, occupational, artist, painter’s palette, Bottle opener, figural, fish, marlin, painted, blue and Steuben, tazza, flared, four open scrolls around short
Karl V. Klockner, gilt trim, short foot, green mark, white, “Duxbury, Mass.” on side, snout and tail pedestal base, round foot, George Thompson,
W. Austria, 3 3/4 x 3 3/4 inches, $85. raised, iron, mid-20th century, $360. c. 1940, 4 1/2 x 10 inches, $255.

Coca-Cola, sign, “For Extra Fun ... Take More Than Coverlet, woven, blue and white, diamond lattice, Pottery, jar, Hopi, shoulders, flared rim, tan ground,
One,” woman with two packs of Coke, cardboard, flower side borders, church and flower upper and black and brown pattern, jagged white lines, signed,
easel back, 1963, 30 x 15 inches, $85. lower borders, eagle and “Liberty” in corners, 19th Jean Sahme, 8 x 9 inches, $310.
century, 81 x 70 inches, $190.
Toy, lion, Leo, mohair, lying down, glass eyes, Advertising, sign, “We Give Triple-S Blue Stamps,”
stitched nose, whiskers, airbrushed features, hang tag, Toy, pedal car, Buick, open top, olive green, orange blue speech bubble, owl on branch, yellow ground,
button in ear, Steiff, 10 inches, $120. trim, plexiglass windshield, painted, metal, Gendron, 47 x 34 1/2 inches, $345.
30 x 66 x 26 inches, $4,800.
Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer readers’ questions sent to the column. Send a letter with one question describing the size, material (glass, pottery), and what you know about the item. Include
only two pictures, the object and a closeup of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product.
Names, addresses, or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear
in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, Journal of Antiques and Collectibles, King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803, or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels.com.

54 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles