What’s in a name?

#Middlebury #Antiques

It sometimes is difficult to know the proper name for a piece of antique furniture. Names can change. A commode can be a chest of drawers; a cabinet like a sideboard; or a small bedroom dressing table, usually with a drawer for soap, combs, brushes and cosmetics, and a small shelf behind a door that holds a potty until it is emptied by the servants. There were no flush toilets in homes until the late 1800s. A davenport in England in the 19th century was a small desk that opened to the side with a slanted top that was easy to write on. In 20th century America, a davenport is a type of sofa.

The auction catalog called this a Victorian mahogany three-tiered waiter in the Queen Anne taste made in the late 19th century, which is a long way to say the table was made in a style that was in fashion 150 years earlier.

But strangest of all is a dining room serving table with a center pole around which three graduated round shelves usually turn, like a lazy Susan. But, of course, while the name “dumb waiter” is still used for this type of table, it has nothing to do with a stupid person. A Victorian table like this, made with a three-part leg, sold at New Orleans Auction Galleries for $406.

Q: I have my grandma’s set of 1950s Nancy Prentiss stainless-steel flatware, and I use it daily. I hand wash it most of the time, and only when I’m feeling super lazy do I put it in the dishwasher. It doesn’t seem to get damaged, but I’m curious about using the dishwasher for it all the time. We run the dishwasher about once every four or five days and use well water with a water softener. Should I continue to hand wash this, or is once a week in the dishwasher OK?

A: It’s safe to wash stainless-steel flatware in the dishwasher, but don’t use a citrus-based detergent. Stainless-steel flatware should be washed soon after it is used in order to avoid stains. If you are running the dishwasher only every few days, wash the flatware by hand on the days you aren’t running it. Don’t soak the flatware for a long time. To avoid spots, dry thoroughly with a soft dish towel instead of letting it air dry. Stainless steel can be cleaned with silver polish.

Current Prices
Fishing, lure, jitterbug, Fred Arbogast, white, hooks, 2 1/2 inches, $65.
Fan, electric, General Motors, black, Delco Appliance Co., 18 x 21 inches, $180.
Advertising, thermometer, Orange Crush, from natural orange juice, 16 x 6 1/4 inches, $260.
Sports, wakeboard, orange, white, Peterborough Canoe Co., Canada, 1920, 28 x 58 inches, $335.

TIP: Collectors of teddy bears and other stuffed animals must beware of allergy to dust mites – microscopic critters that live in pillows, bedding and carpets. Use dust mite-proof covers for all bedding. Get a vacuum with a HEPA filter, and limit the number of stuffed animals in the bedroom. Put any stuffed toys in baggies in the freezer for 48 hours. Dust mites need air and do not like freezing temperatures.

For more collecting news, tips and resources, visit www.Kovels.com.

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