Page 45 - september-23

on Antiques & Collectibles

By Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel

namel has been used in decorative Collecting Tip:
arts since at least the Middle Ages. If there are two handles on a drawer, open the
EIt was especially popular in drawer using both handles. It lessens the strain on
Europe and Asia in the 18th and 19th the joints. Terry Kovel
centuries. With this in mind, it may
sound like an unlikely medium for the Q: I need a price to insure an 1870 bisque figurine. It was listed in your 2015 price
20th century. But modern art embraces guide on Kovels.com for $45. It was not listed in later price guides. I find it hard to
the unexpected. believe a bisque figurine that was almost 150 years old in 2015 was worth so little.
Karl Drerup, an artist who trained in How can I find the current value for insurance purposes?
painting, illustration, and ceramics in
Berlin and Florence, then emigrated A: The value of your figurine depends on the maker, decoration, size, and condi-
tion more than on its age. An unmarked bisque figurine is not worth as much as
with his wife in the 1930s to escape the Artist Karl Drerup brought the a figurine by a well-known maker. If you want to insure your figurine, contact
rise of fascism, started making enamels old art of enameling into the 20th your insurance company to see if they require a written appraisal. In that case,
century. His pieces have bright
in New York in the 1930s. Later, he colors, stylized shapes, and your figurine would have to be seen by a licensed appraiser to determine its value.
would call himself “the first one in New vibrant designs. The prices listed in Kovels’ Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide are new each year,
York who made any enamels at all.” not “updates” of entries that were listed in previous years. Prices are from
That may have contributed to his success; the Metropolitan Museum of completed sales in auctions, stores, or at shows. A few “asking” prices are included.

Art purchased one of his decorated bowls in 1940. ***
Drerup’s enamels have a distinctive style with vibrant, abstract scenes
of natural elements or human figures in bright colors, like this copper Q: My mother used an electric Simplex Model 5-463 mangle to iron sheets and
plaque called “The Merry Makers” that sold for $2,750 at a Rago auction. pillowcases. It was made by the American Ironing Machine Co. of Algonquin, Illinois.
It’s in fairly good condition and works very well, though I’ve never ironed anything
with it. Do you know what the value might be?

efore the use of electric lights, lamps were designed to cast as much A: The American Ironing Machine Co. was founded in Chicago in 1905. It made
light as possible. With the introduction of electric light bulbs, rotary ironers (mangles) and other laundry equipment for home, commercial and
Binvented in 1879, lamps took on new forms and functions. In institutional use. Early ironers were powered by electricity or gasoline engines.
some cases, lampshades had to soften the light instead of amplifying or The machines were made by Peter Brothers Manufacturing Co. of Algonquin.
directing it. The two companies merged in 1920 and continued to operate as the American
Ironing Machine Co. Your ironer was made before 1946 when American Ironing
In the early 20th century, designers created lamps with new materials Machine Co. became the Simplex Division of Barlow & Seelig Manufacturing
and previously unseen shapes. Fulper Pottery, established in New Jersey Co. Rotary ironers were popular for home use from the early 1900s to the 1940s
in 1860, started its artware line, Vasekraft, about this time. Its Vasekraft or ‘50s, but interest faded after permanent press fabric became common in the
lamps had pottery shades and bases decorated with Fulper’s famous 1960s. New rotary irons are being made and sell for high prices. Some “used”
glazes. The shades had inset panels of stained glass to let the light through. mangles sell for about $50 and others are listed for over $100.
These aren’t the only lamps that Fulper made, however. This parrot- ***
shaped pottery lamp with a tilted head, slightly open beak, and colorful
plumage was made by Fulper. It sold Q: I’m downsizing and am interested in selling my Wedgwood Orange Florentine
for $375 at an auction by Dennis demitasse and saucer collection. I checked eBay and other sites but am unable to come
Auction Service, Inc. There is a socket up with a selling price. Can you please help me out?

for a light bulb concealed in the base; A: Wedgwood pottery started in Burslem, England, in 1759. Florentine pattern
the entire parrot and the top of its was designed in 1931. The ornate border with mystical dragon-like creatures was
perch detaches and acts as the shade. made in many different colors. Pieces were made with or without center decora-
tions. Recent prices for Florentine demitasse sets with no center decoration range
from about $20 to $48. A demitasse set with a Coral border and floral center was
Polly wanna light? Fulper Pottery was known listed for $70. Orange seems to be rarer than other colors and may sell for more.
for more traditional lamp shapes but also Wedgwood is still in business and currently makes Florentine in Turquoise. It
made some unusual ones like this figural also includes some Florentine accent pieces in its Renaissance collection. The
parrot lamp. company lists a Florentine Turquoise cup and saucer for $140.

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.
Photography, camera, movie, H-8, 8 mm, holds Glass-blown, wine, applied teal rim, cone-shaped Fulper, vase, blue glaze, tonal drip, shaped handles,
100-foot, 50-foot, and 25-foot spools of double-run bowl, knop stem, round foot, 19th century, 5 3/4 horizontal ribs, tapered, marked, early 20th century,
film, Tri Focal viewfinder, three focal lengths, inches, pair, $160. 9 1/2 x 7 inches, $180.
Paillard-Bolex, 1961, 8 1/2 x 3 x 6 inches, $85.
Lamp, chandelier, 14-light, Brutalist, oblong body, Furniture, stand, Sheraton, mahogany, two drawers,
Pillow, beaded, multicolor bird, flowering branch, 14 tubular light fixtures, refracts different colored wood pulls, boxwood and ebony string inlay, turned
black ground, scalloped trim, rectangular, Iroquois, lights, painted metal, 20 x 30 x 25 inches, $190. legs, brass caster feet, 18th century, 30 x 18 x 15 1/2
10 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches, $50. inches, $250.
Toy, animal, seal, Robby, head raised, brown fur,
Cut glass, decanter, square base, raised swirl on white underside, googly eyes, plush nose, whiskers, Cane, walking stick, silver knob, raised flower and
stopper and sides, etched leaves, notched corners, stitched flippers and tail, button and tag on the leafy scrolled garland, hallmarks, Gorham, 19th
and handle, 8 1/2 inches, $160. flipper, Steiff, 15 x 32 inches, $265. century, 35 1/2 inches, $290.
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.

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