#Middlebury #Antiques
Artists sometimes make only one kind of art, perhaps keeping to painting, sculpture or jewelry. But many try all kinds of art before they find the one that is best. Self-taught Peter Hunt (1896-1967) started painting thrift shop furniture with peasant designs in 1929. His colorful pieces sold quickly in Cape Cod and became so fashionable that they were sold in the furniture departments of Macys, Gimbels and other well-known department stores. Old boxes, school desks, strollers, toys, buckets, trays, fabrics and more were decorated.
The folk art paintings on the dollhouse are the signed work of Peter Hunt. The 39-inch-high plywood toy was decorated in 1941.
Hunt was handsome, charming and clever, and he sold his folk art to important socialites, including Helena Rubenstein, who promoted his work. He also wrote cookbooks and how-to guides so amateurs could copy his style. His painting is compared to early Pennsylvania German or Norwegian Rosemaling. His painted designs were signed with “Anno Domini,” the last two numbers of the year, and his cursive signature. Sometimes he added French phrases to the decorations. But the fad only lasted till the 1960s, and he died penniless.
Peter Hunt’s art is being collected again. This Hunt dollhouse, painted inside and out, sold at a recent Eldred auction for $240. A large piece of furniture could bring over $1,000.
Q: I haven’t been able to identify the maker of my silver water pitcher. The mark includes the initials “L.B.S. CO.” and “E.P.N.S.” and a cross, a crown and a shield. I presume the interior is aluminum because it’s very lightweight. It looks very modern. Do you have any idea who the maker is and the time period? What can I expect as to its value?
A: This mark was used by Lawrence B. Smith Co. of Boston, Massachusetts. The company was founded in 1887 and made silver and silver plate serving pieces. It went out of business in the late 1950s. The letters “E.P.N.S” stand for “electroplated nickel silver.” Sterling silver is solid silver. Nickel silver doesn’t contain any silver but is an alloy made of about 20% nickel, 60% copper and 20% zinc. In electroplating, an electric current is used to deposit a thin layer of silver onto the base metal. The process came into commercial use about 1840. Modern silver plate trays are almost impossible to sell and have no melt down value since they aren’t solid silver. Your silver plate pitcher might sell for about $50 to $75.
Current Prices
Face jug, salamander on forehead, spaced teeth, hooked nose, handled, greenish black, 9 1/2 inches, $130.
Sign, Maserati, logo, round, red, white, blue, porcelain, 12 inches, $345.
Cluthra vase, blue, green, white, footed, Durand, 11 1/2 inches, $500.
Quilt, tulips, flower buds, scalloped border, green and yellow striped borders, 63 x 73 inches, $660.
TIP: Spool-turned furniture or “Jenny Lind” pieces with sharp corners are older than those with rounded corners.
Looking to declutter, downsize or settle an estate? “Kovels’ Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide 2021” by Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel has the information that you are looking for.
© 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
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