whatsitworth | January 25, 2013
I am sending some photos of two small ornaments that belonged to my uncle for as long as I can remember. Uncle George died in 2003, he was about 83. These little horses survived south London during World War II (as did the rest of us), and a number of moves after that. By the [...]
whatsitworth | August 2, 2012
I bought this press about thirty years ago as a decorative conversation piece. At the time I was told it was a fig press. It stands about 22 inches to the arched top and weighs about thirty pounds. When the crank on the side is turned a screw action pushes a metal plate into the [...]
whatsitworth | June 4, 2012
While a tremendous amount of information can by found about antiques and collectibles online and in books I find that one of the best ways to understand an object or style is to visit museums and to listen to lectures by experts. These experts look at items in their social, economic and historic settings; they [...]
whatsitworth | February 24, 2012
I have a question about a platter I inherited. It is made of ceramic and is 10 inches in diameter. The front is decorated with three fish and the bottom is signed. My aunt and uncle were devout Catholics so I’m wondering if this piece was from a church. I never thought of it that [...]
whatsitworth | December 22, 2011
When he died in the spring of 2011, a retired mechanic for Greyhound Bus Lines left behind a touching and amusing legacy – a large collection of greyhound dog figures in bronze, porcelain, silver and glass. These hundreds of pieces have been lotted into 45 groups that will be sold at Michaan’s Auction in Alameda [...]
whatsitworth | November 23, 2011
I dug these two bottles out of the San Mateo salt flats 40 or 50 years ago. They are 12 and 11.5 inches high. Each one is embossed with an eagle surrounded by the words SETLERS NASSAU. Can you tell me what they were for and if they are worth anything? The town of Neiderselters [...]
whatsitworth | November 21, 2011
Michaan’s specialists recently held an appraisal event as a fundraiser for the Carmel Art Association. We always see unusual and lovely things when we’re there but I was floored when this zoomorphic piece of pottery landed on my table. The outer sections are veined and scattered with what looks to be small barnacles; the inner [...]
whatsitworth | September 21, 2011
I hope you can help me with my Saint Joseph statue. I’ve been told that it dates back to the 1850s or 1860s and that there is a similar statue in Mission San Miguel. It is 18 inches high. Your carved wood statue of St. Joseph is called a santos figure from the Spanish word [...]
whatsitworth | August 22, 2011
We were cleaning out a relative’s things and came across this sash. It is about four feet long and heavily embroidered with metal thread. There are two labels on the inside: one reads, “Nelly A. Hackman, P.N.G. of Petaluma Rebekah Lodge No. 226, Petaluma, Calif., August 1929” and the other is the woman who did [...]
whatsitworth | August 22, 2011
This bronze statue of fighting elk has been in my family for at least 40 years. It is 8 inches high by 14.5 inches wide and in very good condition. It is signed P.J. Mene. Pierre Jules Mene was born in Paris in 1810. His father was a prosperous metal turner who produce decorative elements [...]
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