$2,752: SABINO Double Suzanne Opalescent Lamp French Art Deco. Immaculate condition. Origin: France; Art Deco, 1930. Hard-to-find, rare and authentic piece. Perfect condition, without any damages. (Photo, courtesy of eBay seller schnapy75.)

LC: Lamps of this quality are not easy to find. The price of the lamp seems fair in light of the fact that the item is rare. French Art Deco items are considered to be the epitome of the period. This term was first used in 1966 at an exhibition of French decorative arts of the 1910-1920s. Later, the British used this to describe the style as an assertively modern style, developing in the ‘20s and increasing to its high point in the 1930s. The style represents a new approach rather than the old approach before and during WWI. All Art Deco items, good, bad or indifferent, seem to fetch high prices in the markets of the late 20th and early 21 Centuries.
 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

$8,250: 1909 Sara Sax Rookwood Green Vellum Peacock Vase. Made in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1909 by the artist Sara Sax nearing the end of the Arts & Crafts Movement. This mint condition vase measures 8.25 inches tall by 4 inches in diameter and is The One that is pictured in the Rookwood Pottery Book by Anita Ellis on page 83. It has no damage and has been stored safely in its box all these many years. The green vellum is a rare subdivision of the vellum line. (Photo, courtesy of eBay seller jojot.)

LC: Sarah Sax was a foremost Rookwood decorator. Her items always bring a premium. While there has been a general decline in the value of art pottery, Rookwood and others of that quality keep on climbing up in price. However, very few Rookwood pieces in this category fetch this price. Most are under $8,000. This one, however, does have very good provenance to go along with the artist. 

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

$1,875: Victorian Turreted Folk Art Doll House. Phenomenal, handmade, Victorian double-turreted house, circa 1880s. Unbelievable craftsmanship has been exhibited in building this house. Every thing is meticulously done and built to scale. Needs some TLC, but when finished, it will be a museum-grade house. Perfect for displaying your antique dolls. Size: 38 inches tall by 29 inches wide and 54 inches long. (Comes apart in four pieces, less chimney and stairs. The top lifts off, and both porches detach.) If you want an incredible dollhouse or a fabulous display, this is the piece. (Photo, courtesy of eBay seller plumpudding5735.)

LC: Doll houses were basically a Victorian invention, and they reached their pinnacle during that time. Queen Victoria had a doll house, and this is where they gained great frame. This one needs some TLC, but the price is fair. 

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

$146: Mexican Sterling Silver "Walled City" Paperweight 925. This is a beautifully designed and masterfully hand wrought sterling silver "walled fortress" paperweight. Quite unique. We believe it is Mexican, given the design and workmanship. But not certain. Bid accordingly. This extraordinary paperweight is in ovoid form and modeled as a city built into the sides of a mountain. Rising above are thick, arching entryway fortress walls. Above, an elaborate "maze" of pavilion roof structures, walls, elaborate stairways and multi-tier dwellings. It is 2.5 inches tall and across. Exceptionally thick heavy gauge sterling weighs 5 ounces. Hallmarked "925" for sterling purity. Excellent condition. Rich, lustrous sterling patina. Stands even on table. (Photo, courtesy of eBay seller supershrink.)

LC: No! No! No! This is not Mexican. First, it is indeed a walled city, but the city is Jerusalem, most likely a souvenir from Israel. This same idea of the city on the hill is done in pictures, plaques sculptures, everything, and sold by the thousands to tourists in Israel. The price is fair for a sterling piece nicely worked. Most likely, it cost more new than it sold for. It is always important to identify an item before you sell it.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

$294: Victorian Solid Silver Mustard Pot, 1847. Possibly made by James Edwards, London 1847. A quality drum-shaped mustard pot, pierced in a Gothic manner with a finely engraved and crested lid. A quality C scroll handle tops off this piece. Measurements 2.5 inches wide; 183g gross weight. (Photo: eBay seller sterlingsilverseller.)

LC: The one bright spot in the current malaise with antiques, collectibles and their desirability and price fluctuations downward is English silver. This is a fair price. English silver, well marked and cared for, always commands a higher price than domestic silver, with the exception of Tiffany, and in some cases Tiffany is depressed. Mustard pots are always in demand and are collected widely.

___________________

Louis Craig is a past president of the International Association of Appraisers, Georgia Chapter. He can be contacted at LCraig1122@aol.com.