A vase that’s downright corny
T E R R Y A N D K I M K O V E L : K O V E L S O N A N T I Q U E S
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If you’re a fan of pressed glass, you may be familiar with celery vases. How about a corn vase? A design by the Dugan Glass Company took it literally. One of their glass vases shaped like an ear of corn, made in a striking vaseline green with an opalescent finish, sold for $228 at Matthew Bullock Auctioneers.
Dugan was founded in Pennsylvania in 1904. Its founder, Thomas Dugan, left the company in 1913, and the name was changed to the Diamond Glass Company. It closed in 1931. It is primarily known for its colorful carnival glass, which is similar to Northwood; in fact, the founders of the two companies were cousins.
Like Northwood, Dugan made wares in many styles besides carnival glass. The corn vase is one example of this; the pattern, color, and finish set it apart. Some of Dugan’s glassware even approached art glass, particularly the Pompeian, Venetian, and Japanese lines made about 1905. They were mold-blown and shaped by hand, giving them irregular organic shapes, and had a sparkling iridescent look from being rolled in fragments of glass called frit. While pieces like their carnival glass and the corn vase are part of American glassmaking practices, these lines resembled European art glass, demonstrating the company’s creativity and willingness to experiment.
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Q: I have a porcelain bowl with 3D roses that is marked “CALIF.” I cannot find anything about this mark. Is it a maker, or does it just mean “Made in California”? Can you tell me anything about it?
A: You are right that “CALIF” is used on ceramics from California, especially in the mid-20th century. Collectors often use “California pottery” as a term for the distinctive ceramics made by several California companies at the time, like Bauer, Metlox, and the Florence Ceramics Company. They used local California clays and combined influences from East Asian, Mexican, and historic Spanish ceramics with contemporary American design. Large, well-known companies usually include their names in their marks, but some pieces are only marked “California” or “Calif.”
It is estimated that, by 1950, there were about 600 potteries that had “California” in their mark. Some pieces are unmarked, but may be identified by their style, pattern, or, in some cases, even the type of clay. Many California potteries Johannes Brahms, Valley Vista, Caliente by Haldeman, and Frazier (or W. Frazier) decorated their pieces with applied roses like yours. For more information, check your library for books on California pottery, such as “California Potteries: The Complete Book” by Mike Schneider.
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Q: We have an antique cradle that has been in our family for at least 75 years. It is dark brown wood with a raised headboard and heart-shaped cutout handles on the sides. The joints are dovetailed. As long as we have had it, it has not been used as a cradle. We have only ever displayed it. We would like to know its value.
A: Wooden cradles like yours were common in the late 18th through the 19th centuries. There are many variations in the basic style, such as the shape of the headboard or handles, the type of wood, and whether they are painted. Values range from under $50 to about $200. Like you, buyers generally want them for display, not for use. They are sometimes described as having a rustic or country look.
Cradles that date to the 18th century retain the original paint or finish, or have unusual designs, tend to sell for higher prices. A hint for helping to date yours: Check the number of dovetails. Typically, the fewer dovetails in a joint, the older the piece. Learning to recognize signs of machine-made versus handmade furniture or signs of tools that were invented in the Victorian era like the jigsaw may help, too. However, remember that old techniques don’t always guarantee an older piece of furniture. Furniture could still be made by hand after the invention of machinery, and some makers deliberately use older techniques and even antique hardware to give the furniture an older look.
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TIP: Experimental glass can deteriorate over time. To help prevent deterioration, store glass in an even climate, one without dramatic changes in temperature and humidity and with good ventilation.
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Kovels answers readers’ questions sent to the column. Send a letter with one question describing the size, material (glass, pottery) and what you know about the item. Include only two pictures: the object and a close-up of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, (Name of this newspaper), King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th Street, 41st Floor, New York, NY 10019, or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels.com.
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CURRENT PRICES
Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.
Glass-Venetian, vase, amethyst, clear cased, controlled bubbles, pulled rim, flared base, Murano, 12 inches, $60.
Furniture, table, card, American Classical, mahogany, hinged top, inlaid trim, gilt rosettes, hand carved, lyre base, four splayed legs, casters, 29 x 35 inches, $130.
Jewelry, bracelet, cuff, pierced medallion, llama center, textured fur, stylized bird head profiles, geometric trim, textured ground, Peru, 2 3/8 x 6 1/2 inches, $155.
Pottery-contemporary, vase, Acoma, round, shoulders, tapered base, figures around neck, geometrics, black, red, cream, signed, Louis & Nadine Mansfield, 10 1/2 x 12 1/2 inches, $285.
Stone, dog, crouching, carved, textured fur, curled tail, oblong base, c. 1900, 7 x 10 x 4 inches, $350.
Porcelain-Asian, vase, yellow, green clouds, dragon on front, phoenix on reverse, red collar, flared lip, tapered base, blue Fukagawa mark, 15 inches, $410.
Advertising, display, RCA, dog, Nipper, sitting, head tilted, painted collar, papier-mache, c. 1930, 42 inches, $640.
Shaker, rug, rag, woven, striped, green, red, white, herringbone pattern, tape border, cotton, wool, linen, Canterbury, N.H., c. 1850, 40 x 71 inches, $960.
Clock, shelf, Louis XVI style, floating dial, leafy finial, draping, marble base, two pillars, ormolu, Classical figures, relief plaques, a Paris, 22 x 16 1/2 inches, $1,630.
Birdcage, tole peinte, figural, Victorian style house, four stories, shingle textured roof, glass panes, wood stand, 84 x 35 1/2 inches, $2,040.
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