Our collectibles this month include a pair of lamps that were part of the down payment for a new automobile in the 1930s and a colorful enameled 1920s gas stove. Rounding out this month’s items are a fine-quality silver spoon, a spelter sculpture and a faience bowl, all from France.
This sculpture is a copy after the original work “Jeunesse” by the French artist Aristide De Ranieri (1880-1914).Courtesy of the collector
Q. I have what appears to be a bronze statue titled “Jeunesse.” It is 18 inches tall. I would appreciate to learn more about it. C.W., Beaverton
A. Your sculpture is a copy after the original work “Jeunesse” by the French artist Aristide De Ranieri (1880-1914). Based on your photographs, your statue is of patinated spelter, which is a base metal that is finished to resemble bronze. Your piece was likely produced between 1900 and 1910, during the artist’s lifetime. At auction, similar examples reportedly sold in the $200-$300 price range. A dealer specializing in early 20th century decorative artworks may ask $600-$900 for this type of sculpture if in excellent condition.
This gas stove was made by the S.B. Sexton Stove & Manufacturing CorporationCourtesy of the collector
Q. This Sexton stove was handed down from my grandparents. It is in excellent condition. It has a three-burner stove stop. The height is 50 inches, the width is 26 inches, and the depth is 16 inches. I would like to know more about it and what it might be worth. J.O., Keizer
A. Your gas stove was made by the S.B. Sexton Stove & Manufacturing Corporation of Baltimore, Maryland. It likely dates to the early 1920s. Stoves of this size were most commonly used in apartments, or in bungalows. A similar Sexton stove was reported sold at auction in 2020 for $650. Considering this and other results, at auction you might see an estimate of $600-$800. Dealers that specialize in antique and vintage stoves might ask $1,200-$1,800 for this type of stove in excellent condition, or even more, if it had been recently professionally restored and was in operating condition.
The owner of a Kentucky Ford dealership a set of lamps and a candy dish as a part of a down payment on a car.Courtesy of the collector
Q. My father-in-law owned a Ford dealership in northern Kentucky. In the 1930s, he took this set of lamps and a candy dish as a part of a down payment on a car. The candy dish has the mark of LeMieux china 24 karat gold. The lamps are 12 inches in height, excluding the shades. Can you tell me anything about these? M.S., Portland
A. Your lamps and covered bowl were made by LeMieux China of Chicago, and likely date to the 1930s-1940s. As the mark says, they are encrusted with 24 karat gold. In your photographs, they appear to have transfer decorations that are hand-detailed. Based on past reported sales, at auction, you might expect an estimate of $250-$350 for the pair of lamps and perhaps $100-$150 for a covered dish of this type. Dealers that specialize in 20th century decorative porcelain are currently asking $500-$700 for similar pairs of LeMieux lamps in excellent condition. A dealer may ask $200-$300 for a covered dish of this pattern if in excellent, undamaged, condition.
This spoon is French, and the marks indicate that it is .950 fine silver, and was made by Jean Granvigne of Paris.Courtesy of the collector
Q. I bought this spoon at an auction many years ago. I would like to know where it is from and anything you can tell me about it. It is 7¼ inches in length. P.M., Gresham
A. Your spoon is French, and the marks indicate that it is .950 fine silver, and was made by Jean Granvigne of Paris. He was active from 1868 to 1910, and your spoon likely dates to the late 19th century. It appears to be monogramed “HD” on the handle within the belt oval. It may have been intended to serve bon bons. At an auction, you might expect an estimate of $90-$120 for this type of spoon. A dealer in fine European silver may ask $200-$300 for such an ornate spoon, in excellent condition, by this well-respected maker.
This square serving bowl is by the Henriot factory from Quimper in Brittany, France.Courtesy of the collector
Q. My mother received this French bowl as a gift about 1970. It is 8 inches across and 3¼ inches tall. Can you tell me anything about it and what it might be worth?
A. Your square serving bowl is by the Henriot factory from Quimper in Brittany, France. It is of tin-glazed faience, and the hand-painted decoration depicts a woman in a traditional Breton dress. The mark on the back was used after 1922, and the “575″ number is the pattern of the bowl. Yours likely dates to circa 1950. While at auction similar bowls have recently sold for $40-$70, a dealer that specializes in vintage French ceramics may ask $250-$300 for such a bowl in excellent, undamaged, condition.
The values discussed for items featured in this column were researched by Portland appraiser Jerry L. Dobesh, ASA, an Accredited Senior Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers, with a specialty designation in Antiques & Decorative Arts. His services include providing appraisals for estate tax, charitable contribution, insurance scheduling and loss, and equitable distribution needs.
To find an appraiser, contact the American Society of Appraisers, the International Society of Appraisers, or the Appraisers Association of America. Estimates suggested in this Collectibles column are for general information purposes only and cannot be used as a basis for sale, insurance, or IRS purposes.
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