Figural Vases Hold a Certain Allure
Figural containers have fascinated collectors for hundreds of years. There were 18th century perfume bottles shaped like women, 19th century whiskey jugs in the form of judges and politicians and 20th century lady-head vases. They are all in demand. Lady heads that sold for $5 to $15 in the 1980s now bring $100 to $1,000.
The best buys today for beginning collectors are probably other kinds of figural vases, such as baby heads, clown heads and full-figure vases, that are still relatively inexpensive. Holiday figurals and nursery subjects are the real bargains. They can still be found at garage sales for less than $10.
Much of this floral pottery was made in Japan or Czechoslovakia and imported to the United States. Valentine flowers are still sold in clever containers that feature hearts and attractive women.
Look for ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s vases picturing girls in full-skirted dresses decorated with hearts. Marks could include “Made in Japan,” “Made in Hong Kong” or importer’s marks such as “Enesco,” “Napco,” “Relpo” or “Rubens.”
These holiday collectibles are sure to go up in value.
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Question: I am in my 80s and want to leave my antique platform rocker to my daughter. I would like to give her some history and an idea of the chair’s value. According to the original nameplate attached to one leg, it is a “Hunzinger duplex spring platform rocker patented September 26, 1882.” The rocker has an upholstered seat and a U-shaped back made of dowels and spheres.
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Answer: George Hunzinger (1835-1898) immigrated to New York from Germany in 1855. He opened his cabinetmaking shop in New York City in 1860. Hunzinger became well-known for his unusual designs. He patented 21 technical improvements for furniture, including the rocking device on your chair. The Strong Museum in Rochester, N.Y., has a chair just like it. Your Hunzinger rocker would sell for more than $1,000.
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Q I found a box of old family papers, and inside was a valentine made of small, cut-out cupids, flowers and lace. On the back is printed a palette and easel, the initials “R.T.S.” and the words “Publishers by Appointment to Their Majesties the King and Queen. Printed in Germany.”
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A You have a valentine that was probably made after 1901, when Queen Victoria died. The mark refers to Raphael Tuck and Sons, an English firm. There was no king in Queen Victoria’s day, so the card must have been made during the reign of King Edward and Queen Alexandra in the 20th century.
The cut-out cupids and flowers are called “scrap.” They are small embossed and color-printed bits of paper that were and still are popular for decoupage, scrapbooks or other craft projects. Most valentines were handmade in the early 1900s.
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Q I inherited a pair of 10-inch floral-pattern plates that once hung on a wall in my grandmother’s house. The plates are cream-colored with gold trim. The mark on the back shows a black ship with sails on a yellow background and the words “Gray’s Pottery, Made in Stoke-on-Trent, England.” They date from the 1940s or earlier.
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A A.E. Gray & Co. was a decorating firm that worked in the Staffordshire district of England from 1902 to 1962. Artists at the firm, including Susie Cooper during the 1920s, decorated blanks made by other local potteries. The mark on your plates shows that they were made during the 1930s.
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Q Can you tell me anything about my frog-shaped ceramic salt and pepper shakers? Each is marked “Theodore Haviland, Limoges, France, copyright, depose.” There is another name I can’t read. It appears to be “E. Sa. . .”
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A The Theodore Haviland Co. of Limoges, France, made many types of dinnerware. A designer named Edouard Sandoz worked for the company from 1915 to 1920. His pieces included Art Deco-style frogs, birds, cats, rabbits and clowns made to form pitchers, tea pots, vases and salt and pepper shakers.
Sandoz’s designs are very popular with collectors. A 1920s frog salt-and-pepper set is worth $500. You should be aware that Sandoz’s designs were reproduced in the 1970s. The reproductions are clearly marked, so they should not be mistaken for originals.
* For a listing of helpful books and publications, include a self-addressed, stamped (55 cents) envelope to Kovels, Los Angeles Times, King Features Syndicate, 235 E. 45th St., New York, NY 10017.
Current Prices
Figures are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary because of local economic conditions.
* Sheet music, “That’s Amore,” from “The Caddy” movie, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, $20.
* Whitman paper-dolls book, Valentine cutouts, 1947, 5 pages, $30.
* German pull-out valentine card, “To my Valentine, with love and pleasure,” cherub holding heart, sailboat, embossed, honeycomb rosette, 1920s, 6 inches, $45.
* Original Schoenhut catalog, c. 1918, illustrations of circus animals, people and accessories, dolls, Rolly Dollies, house, games, pianos, 48 pages, 22 inches, color, $225.
* Cooler-shaped Coca-Cola radio, red with white lettering, 1950s, 12 1/2 by 8 by 9 inches, $600.
* Valentine Ginny doll, painted blue eyes, blond wig, red taffeta dress, original box, c. 1949, 8 inches, $690.
* Schuco Tricky Bear toy, light-brown mohair, swivel head, embroidered nose and mouth, amber glass eyes, jointed, growler, nods yes and no, 1930s, 20 inches, $1,500.
* Flossie Fisher Bed candy container, original glass cover, Geo. Borgfeldt label attached, $3,520.
* Child’s spatterware tea set, green, peafowl design, teapot with lid, sugar and cover, creamer, four cups and saucers, $6,000.
* Gustav Stickley drop-arm Morris chair, No. 369, reclining back, removable pegs, drop-arm supports, 5 slats, c. 1914, 40 inches, $9,775.
