#Middlebury #Antiques
Victorian furniture was larger, heavier and usually darker and much more ornate than the mid-century or even modern pieces used today. The houses were large and dark. The electric light was not invented until about 1805, and the candles and oil lamps used for light could only illuminate a small area. Big carvings could be seen, dark wood covered some of the flaws and wealthy homeowners who bought the expensive furniture had large homes with big rooms, and the furniture was styled to show off the size and wealth.
Fake bamboo was often used as trim on late Victorian furniture. The trim plus the clever side lock on the chest made this Horner piece worth over $1,000. (Kovels)
The best furniture makers and designers in New York favored George Hunzinger, who came from Germany in 1855. He made unusual furniture that had wooden parts that looked like lollipops and plumbing parts. Many chairs folded up. He patented over 20 designs.
Another star was the firm Kimbel and Cabus. These New Yorkers started in 1862. They created modern Gothic style, much simpler than the earlier renaissance Gothic and an Anglo-Japanese look. They used tiles, painted sections and metal trim.
A third totally different type of furniture was made by Robert Horner in 1886. Walnut wood was scarce, so he used oak or mahogany to make heavy furniture with large carvings of gargoyles and cherubs and trim. Several other furniture makers made similar furniture that collectors may attribute to the wrong maker.
A Cowan auction sold a five-drawer Horner chest of drawers. It had faux bamboo trim on the drawers and a side lock. The bamboo pole at the side is made to slide over part of the drawer to keep the drawers shut and locked. It sold for $1,088.
Q: I love McCoy pottery and for years have had a green McCoy letter holder hanging on the wall near my front door. Is it rare?
A: The McCoy Pottery Company was based in Zanesville, Ohio, and from 1910 to 1990, produced huge numbers of planters, bowls, serving dishes, wall pockets, cookie jars and your letter holder. The pottery is still an inexpensive and colorful collectible. McCoy pottery is very functional, including your letter holder, which is selling for around $45 in antique stores.
Current Prices
Mouse trap, wire cage, domed top, flat bottom, 10 x 16 inches, $25.
Jewelry, pin, ribbon shaped into heart, arrow pierces through, gold tone metal, seed pearl band, retro, 1950s, 1 inch, $155.
Glass lusters, ruby glass, gilt flower decoration, scalloped edge, teardrop stem, round base, each with 10 long clear glass spear prisms, 13 1/4 x 6 inches, pair, $345.
Sterling silver flatware, carving set, hardwood handle with inlaid silver squares, William Spratling, Taxco, Mexico, c. 1964, knife 13 inches, fork 10 3/4 inches, two pieces, $530.
TIP: Need a quick measurement at an antiques show? A penny is 3/4 inch in diameter; a dollar bill is almost 6 inches long.
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