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]]>Wanting to escape the bustle of Manhattan some years ago, I went on a day road trip with two friends, one from England and the other from Norway to Woodstock, NY. Each of us had a different agenda, the London pal wanted to connect with nature, the Norwegian was determined to visit legends of music sites and I, of course, was there to treasure hunt.
Since there are so many tourists in the area, I presumed it would be a so-so antique hunting adventure and that most shops would be pretty well picked over. I was happily surprised to find that the stores were fairly ‘old-school’, meaning no high-end, chic store settings with full-blown retail prices.
I came across this pedestal ‘apothecary’ jar for only $12 in an established ‘hodge-podge’ shop on an owner’s personal property. I asked the owner what she knew about the jar and she said, ‘Nothing – I just got it from an estate sale the other day, but I don’t think it’s old’.
Fortunately, for me, I knew it was a 19th century piece.
How so? The give-away was the ground glass on the inside of the neck at the top opening and around the bottom of the lid, where the two pieces would meet. “Grinding” or “Roughing” the surface of glass gives it a frosted appearance and was a way to keep the lid more secure and prevent chipping. New reproduction jars usually have a plastic ring around the bottom of the lid. There was also a wavy appearance to the surface and encased bubbles, elements found in 19th century mold blown glass.
Upon research, I determined this to be a Columbia Swirl Top Show Globe Jar with Segmented Body on Pedestal Foot from the 2nd half of the 19th century.
Columbia and Dakota jars were used in apothecary shops to display goods, like candy, or colored liquid. Dakota jars, though similar, have a different lid shape called thumbprint.
The liquid filled jars were displayed in shop windows. The purpose was to alert the public of health situations. If there was a local health threat the liquid would be red whereas the all-clear sign was green.
In the end, my $12 Woodstock find rock-n-rolled its way to a $220 sale!
I love General Store jars! They are a beautiful pre-cursor to today’s grocery store plastic containers and make both eye-catching and utilitarian display pieces in the kitchen, home and during the holidays. They can be filled with colored liquid, pretty candy, bath salts, dry food stuff like rice, pasta and popcorn or even to display collections like glass marbles, seashells or matchbooks.
What are some of the creative ways you use your Country Store Glass Jars? Feel free to share here!
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]]>It was already a few hours into the sale and I just arrived to the event. I was pretty surprised to see this still there after so much time had passed. I was also really happy to spot this treasure! It had a clear price tag of $12. I looked over the whole piece and there was no damage. Wow! The seller told me it must be European, and that I should check out the asian vase he had next to it for $30. Little did he know that I was holding “The” Asian Vase, a 19th century, 1880’s, Meiji Period, Japanese ’wedding cake’ moriage, porcelain pedestal footed, double handled vase, with hand painted floral motif.
The $30 piece he was offering was recently made and commercially sold.
Moriage is hand applied raised enamel.
My $12 purchase turned into a $201.50 sale! What a Score!
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]]>Once a year in the dead of bitter winter in Northwestern Pennsylvania there used to be a 3-day indoor ‘garage’ sale in a mall building in a small town; it had been one of my favorite sales to go to each year for well over a decade.
One year was my best buying expedition ever.
Long and short, I spent approximately $70 there and yielded just over $1100!
The most exciting purchase that day was a pair of unassuming metal bookends. I could instantly see that they were hand forged and had a clear maker mark. So for $6, I figured I could not go wrong.
Imagine my surprise when I researched this mark and found the following information along with auction records of up to $1600 for a comparable pair of bookends by the same artist!!
My $6 book ends were made by a much sought after Arts & Crafts Mission period style artisan named Edgar Thomas Cullen Fish. He is better known as “E.T.C. Fish” of Tioga, Pennsylvania. He used a letter F in a Heart mark “Because My Heart is in My Work”, he stated.
The brass metal was wrought into shape and then the surface was hammered in a signature ETC Fish style – one that resembles the appearance of the wood grain of birds-eye maple.
I priced my set at $1200 and received many offers, the more serious one’s being in the $300 – $400 range, which I initially turned down. 2 months later, when they still had not sold, I decided to accept the highest standing offer of $415 to a dealer from Tioga. Not quite $1600 – but still many times more than my initial $6 investment.
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]]>But how does the appraisal process work? And why should you hire an antique valuation expert instead of relying on online price estimates or personal research? This article will walk you through the appraisal process, the benefits of professional valuation, and how you can even leverage online antiques appraisal for quick and convenient assessments.
Understanding the Appraisal Process
An appraisal is a professional evaluation of an artwork or antique’s value based on market trends, historical significance, and physical condition. It involves detailed research and analysis conducted by a certified professional. A proper appraisal report includes:
- Item Description – Detailed documentation of the piece, including materials, dimensions, and provenance.
- Market Comparisons – A comparison of similar pieces sold in auctions or private sales.
- Condition Assessment – A report on wear, damage, restorations, or other factors affecting value.
- Estimated Value – A final valuation based on market demand, rarity, and condition.
Benefits of Professional Services
Many people make the mistake of assuming they can determine the worth of their art or antiques based on internet searches or price tags on similar items. However, true valuation is much more complex and requires the expertise of a trained appraiser. Here’s why hiring a professional matters:
- Accuracy & Credibility
- Professional appraisers use industry-recognized methods.
- Reports are accepted by insurers, attorneys, and tax authorities.
- Legal & Financial Purposes
- Essential for estate planning, wills, and asset division.
- Required for IRS estate tax and donation appraisals.
- Insurance & Damage Claims
- Protects against loss, theft, or damage.
- Helps secure appropriate insurance coverage.
- Selling & Investment Decisions
- Guides pricing for auctions, private sales, and galleries.
- Identifies appreciation potential of valuable pieces.
Expertise in Historical Items
An antique valuation expert is not just someone with general knowledge of old items—they have specialized training in historical analysis, market evaluation, and condition assessment. Their expertise includes:
- Identifying Authenticity – Determining whether a piece is genuine or a reproduction.
- Recognizing Artistic & Historical Value – Understanding the significance of different styles and periods.
- Tracking Market Trends – Staying updated on demand shifts in the antique and fine art markets.
When choosing an antique appraiser, look for:
- Professional accreditation (e.g., ISA, ASA, AAA).
- Experience in handling similar pieces.
- Transparent appraisal reports with documented sources.
Different Types of Appraisals
Depending on your needs, you may require different types of appraisals:
- Insurance Appraisals – Provides a replacement value for insurance policies.
- Fair Market Value Appraisals – Used for estate settlements, donations, and tax reporting.
- Auction Appraisals – Determines a likely selling price for upcoming auctions.
- Damage & Loss Appraisals – Assesses a piece’s depreciation after damage or restoration.
Each type serves a different purpose, and it’s important to specify your needs when working with an appraiser.
Convenience of Online Services
In today’s digital world, online antiques appraisal services offer a quick and efficient way to receive professional valuations without requiring an in-person consultation. These services allow clients to submit photos and descriptions of their items for expert review.
Advantages of Online Appraisals:
- Fast Turnaround – Receive results in a matter of days instead of scheduling an in-person visit.
- Cost-Effective – Lower fees compared to on-site appraisals.
- Global Access – Get appraisals from experts regardless of location.
Online appraisals work best for:
- Single-item evaluations.
- Preliminary price estimates before selling.
- Collectors who need a quick value check.
However, for highly valuable or complex items, an in-person appraisal may still be necessary.
Preparing for an Appraisal
Before submitting an item for appraisal, gather as much information as possible to help the expert provide an accurate valuation. Here’s what you need:
- Photos from Multiple Angles – Show details, signatures, or maker’s marks.
- Dimensions & Materials – Provide exact measurements and descriptions.
- Provenance & Documentation – Include receipts, ownership history, or certificates of authenticity.
- Condition Report – Note any damage, repairs, or restorations.
The more information you provide, the more precise your appraisal report will be.
Misconceptions About Valuation
There are several myths surrounding art and antique valuation that can lead to unrealistic expectations. Here are a few common ones:
- “An appraisal is the same as the selling price.”
- Appraisals reflect market value, but actual sale prices depend on timing and demand.
- “Antiques always increase in value.”
- While some pieces appreciate, trends change, and certain items may lose value over time.
- “I can get an accurate value from an online auction listing.”
- Prices on marketplaces vary widely, and unverified sources may not reflect true worth.
Understanding these factors helps set realistic expectations when having your items appraised.
Reliable Solutions for Every Need
Determining the value of your artwork or antiques is essential for financial planning, insurance protection, and investment decisions. A qualified antique valuation expert provides credible assessments based on market trends, historical significance, and condition analysis. Whether you need art appraisal services for a high-value painting or an online antiques appraisal for a family heirloom, working with an accredited professional ensures accuracy and reliability.
Our team specializes in professional, well-documented valuations for collectors, estate planners, insurers, and legal professionals. Our expertise covers a wide range of fine art and antiques, offering both in-person and online appraisal services. Contact us today to schedule your appraisal and get an accurate valuation of your treasured items.
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