#Middlebury
It took a skilled person to cut the tiny branches of flowers in this 18th-century cutwork picture. It is only 12 by 16 inches and sold for $2,460. (Submitted photo)
The very thin, graceful lines, the black-and-gilt frame, and the cutwork initials and date “JB/1760” added up to a bid (with premium) of $2,460 at a Skinner auction in Massachusetts. Cutwork, or paper-cutting, has been an art form since the second century, after paper was invented in China. Most of the pictures were made by women as a hobby. Today, cutting is enjoyed in many countries. Each picture is a single sheet, not a collage. Scissor cuts are used with up to eight sheets of paper held together. Knife cutting is made with a few layers of paper on a soft waxy surface. It takes skill – there is no erasing errors. The auctioned picture has a vase made by folding the paper, so the finished piece is symmetrical with many branches of flowers cut as single images. The white cutwork paper is attached to a black paper background.
Q: My mom has two blue glass lightning rod balls from my great-grandfather’s house. She was trying to find out how much they are worth. Any suggestions on where to take them or what to look for?
A: Lightning rods are used on barns and houses to divert lightning strikes. Lightning rod balls fit onto the rod and are ornamental, designed to make the lightning rod more attractive. They come in many colors and different shapes. The most common are round and light blue or white. The colorful glass balls are collectible and often sell at bottle shows, Depression glass shows and auctions. Common balls sell for about $35 or less, while those with rare shapes and colors can sell for more than $100.
Q: Warwick Castle is pictured on my inherited Royal Doulton coffeepot. What can you tell me about it?
A: Warwick Castle is part of Royal Doulton’s Castles & Churches series, which was made from about 1908 to the early 1950s. It is one of eight castles and five churches in the series. Retail price about $80.
Current Prices
Charcoal grill, metal wire basket, portable, hamburger and steak hanger, two handles on top, scroll feet, 1940s, 12 x 13 inches, $75.
String holder, Cheerful French Chef, figural, chef’s head, hanging hook, hand painted, Chalkware, 1950s, $150.
Glove box, papier-mache, kissing fairies, flowers and scrollwork, rectangle with rounded ends, lid, Art Nouveau, c. 1910, 11 x 4 inches, $330.
Badge, Deputy Sheriff, State of Washington, metal, shield shape, spreadwing eagle, marked George F Cake Co., c. 1935, 3 x 3 inches, $705.
TIP: “Liquid silver” jewelry can be cleaned with a soft cotton cloth or rubbed with dry baking powder. Do not use dips.
Need prices for your antiques and collectibles? Find them at Kovels.com, our website for collectors. You can find more than 1,000,000 prices and more than 11,000 color photographs that help you determine the value of your collectibles. The website also lists publications, clubs, appraisers, auction houses, people who sell parts or repair antiques, show lists and more.
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