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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business

Antiques slideshow – in pictures

Antiques 230412: A gold-mounted shell cameo brooch
Item one: A gold-mounted shell cameo brooch, sent in by Jane Jellicoe. This dates from circa-1890. The cameo was probably carved in southern Italy and would have been sold as a souvenir to those on the Grand Tour sometime around the 1900s. Value: £100-£150.
Photograph: Jane Jellicoe
Antiques 230412: A Victorian cast iron door porter
Item two: A Victorian cast iron door porter, sent in by Lawrence Renaudon Smith. This was made in the third quarter of the 19th century. It has a scroll cast loop handle held in a hand-shaped finial at the top of a straight shaft, descending to a relief cast model of a cow standing among foliage on a shaped base. Such door porters are slowing rising in value. Even five years ago, this example would probably have fetched only £50 or so, but they are doing much better at auction now. Value: £150-£200.
Photograph: Lawrence Renaudon Smith
Antiques 230412: An earthenware jar
Item three: An earthenware jar, sent in by Jenny Brogan (who found it on a rubbish tip). The jar, from circa-1930, is circular but moulded as a cottage. The details are hand painted. From the 1930s-1950s, items modelled as idealised cottages were very popular and whole tea services were made. This may well have been intended as a jam pot or sugar box. It is likely it originated in Stoke-on-Trent. Value: £5-£10.
Photograph: Jenny Brogan
Antiques 230412: A marble Janus-headed sculpture
Item four: A marble Janus-headed sculpture, sent in by Barclay Anderson. This sculpture is 10cm high and each side is carved in the form of a face, framed by hair and surmounted by the carving of a fish. Janus was a god with two faces, who could look in two directions. Sadly, this is a modern example dating from the second half of the 20th century. Copies have been sold to tourists for many years. It is quite fun with the fish carving and elaborate hairstyles, but the quality and style of the carving is problematic, hence the limited value. Value: £50-£80.
Photograph: Barclay Anderson
Antiques 230412: An Ascher scarf design
Item five: An Ascher scarf design by James Mason, sent in by Laura Gaither. After serving in the second world war with the British services, the Ascher business was established. There was a strong move to integrate art with industry at the time. The scarf was made between 1946 and 1955, when Ascher Ltd asked 51 leading artists to design scarves. They were called Artists’ Squares and, often printed on rayon due to a shortage of materials immediately following the war. They were all printed in limited edition. Value: £150-£250.
Photograph: Laura Gaither
Antiques 230412: A group of Falasha pottery figures
Item six: A group of Falasha pottery figures, sent in by Tim Stanley. This group of pottery figures dates from the 20th century. Falashas are Ethiopian of Jewish faith and have produced various artifacts over the centuries, including fine textiles. Without an early history these are likely to be of relatively recent manufacture and made for the art market. They would therefore be of relatively low commercial value. Value: £150-£250.
Photograph: Tim Stanley
Antiques 230412: A pair of square cut glass inkwells
Item seven: A pair of square cut glass inkwells, sent in by Alan Fox. Made circa-1900, these inkwells have silver-plated mounts with milled bands and facet-cut domed lids. They look quite small and will have probably come from a silver-plated inkstand. Without the stand their potential value is limited. Value: £10-£20.
Photograph: Alan Fox
Antiques 230412: Three miniature paintings on ivory
Item eight: Three miniature paintings on ivory, sent in by Judith Bodenham. The miniatures depicting Mughal buildings in Agra are charming examples of the type. They date from circa-1865 and were probably new when the current owner’s great grandfather acquired them. They were popular mementoes of India for British residents, and were usually framed as groups. These are a little more unusual than the standard repertoire of Mughal architectural views. The first building is the tomb of Itmad ud-Daula and the third looks like a courtyard inside Agra fort. Value: £200-£300.
Photograph: Judith Bodenham
Antiques 230412: A salad bowl
Item nine: A salad bowl, sent in by Graham. This is a late-Victorian turned oak salad bowl with silver-plated mounts made by Mappin & Webb, Sheffield. The porcelain is lined with wire-work and ball handles, and it has a vacant shield-shaped cartouche to the side and sits on a triangular base with ball feet. It comes with a pair of matching salad servers with turned oak handles. There was a fashion of producing oak wares with silver-plated mounts at this time, and the registered design number of 71552 shows that this pattern was lodged at the London Patent Office in 1887. A stylish looking set, perhaps showing some influence of the prolific contemporary designer Dr Christopher Dresser. Value: £120-£160.
Photograph: Graham
Antiques 230412: A mahogany and brass-mounted chiming mantel clock
Item 10: A mahogany and brass-mounted chiming mantel clock, sent in by Andrew Smith. You couldn’t find a more honest and original-looking early-19th century English clock. It dates from about 1820 and has some issues with the veneers and dial, but it’s in the sort of condition that wouldn’t put off serious buyers. I’m assuming the movement is a standard but good quality rectangular plated gong or bell striker. Thwaites and Reed amalgamated in 1808 in Clerkenwell, and the company still exists. In good condition this clock would sell for more than £3,000 at auction. Value: £1,800-£2,200.
Photograph: Andrew Smith
Antiques 230412: An Omega ball-shaped desk clock
Item 11: A modern reproduction of an Omega ball-shaped desk clock, sent in by Matt Eames. The clock was made in the last quarter of the 20th century and is likely of Asian origin – these reproductions are made in both Russia and China. A Russian example is known with the movement marked 19Z ZSH, although parts may actually come from both countries. These are mostly marketed in the Asian countries and the fact this was found in Thailand is more evidence of it being a modern copy. Many appear on eBay. Value: £25-£50.
Photograph: Matt Eames
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