19th-Century Furniture English Christmas
With its rings of holly branches, this majolica platter carries the spirit of Christmas. And with its $7,735 sale price at Strawser Auction Group, it’s certainly something to celebrate! But a closer look shows its symbols are a little different from the decorations most of us may be used to. The birds around the rim are robins; not something you often see on American Christmas decorations, but very popular in the United Kingdom. Robins are often seen there in the winter because they migrate there from Scandinavia and Continental Europe. Then there are the portrait medallions of a white-bearded man who looks a little, but not entirely, like Santa Claus. Instead of a red suit with a matching fur-trimmed hat, he wears a brown robe, carries a staff and is crowned with a wreath of holly. This must be Father Christmas, the English personification of the holiday’s festivities. He dates to at least the 15th century and may be influenced by the folkloric figure of the Holly King of winter, whose perpetual battle with the Oak King of summer (who is sometimes represented by a robin) dramatizes the cycle of seasons. As you may have guessed, this platter is an English piece. It was made by George Jones, one of the most celebrated makers of Victorian majolica. ***
Q:I found a silver link bracelet in my aunt’s jewelry box after her death at age 93 in 2002, so I believe it’s old and would like some idea of its value. I took it to a jeweler who used a loupe to look at the mark on the underside of the clasp. She said it read “JB” over “830S.”
A:The first clue to the bracelet’s value is the “830S.” That is the silver content, meaning it is 83% silver and 17% alloy of other metals. The standard for sterling silver is 925, meaning 92.5% silver. While not sterling silver, 830 silver still has a relatively high silver content, and its higher percentage of alloy means it is more durable than 925 silver. The “JB”
Victorian English majolica maker George Jones decorated this platter with English Christmas symbols that may be unfamiliar to Americans, but still have the spirit of the holiday.
mark was used by John Baalerund, whose business operated from 1935 to 1988 in Oslo, Norway. He was known for his enameled silver jewelry. Silver jewelry by Scandinavian designers was extremely popular in the mid-20th century. Today, 830S silver bracelets from that period generally sell for about $50 to $150. *** TIP: Candle drippings can be removed from fabric with the help of ice cubes. Rub the wax with the ice until the wax hardens. Scrape off the hard wax with a credit card or stiff cardboard. If some wax remains, put a blotter over it, and then iron with a warm iron. *** CURRENT PRICES Art deco, punch bowl, chrome cover and ladle, red plastic mounts, glass body, globular, ribbed, c. 1930, 10 x 9 inches, $150.
Rug, Frank Lloyd Wright, shaded pink, gray and red geometrics, fringe, wool, import label, Schumacher, 1980s, 10 feet 11 inches x 7 feet 10 inches, $1,260.
Judica, menorah, Peace Menorah, asymmetrical arms, center mask over star of David, bronze, gold patina, marble base, Salvador Dali, 1981, 20 inches, $1,905.
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(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
The Merklen Brothers made furniture in the late 19th century. Many furniture makers of the time used newly invented tools, making pieces with unusual features.
Sometimes, people like to think of the past as a steady, stable time where tradition ruled the day. Ironically, learning about antiques can prove that notion wrong; and some of the best lessons can come from 19th-century furniture. Technological advances made complicated furniture designs more accessible, and the growing nouveau riche meant more customers in need of furniture, often with more extravagant tastes.
The Merklen Brothers of New York, active between the 1880s and 1900, were among the furniture makers taking advantage of new tools and catering to new tastes. The chair pictured here, with twisted posts, a lattice back and a pair of brass finials shaped like storks’ heads, is an example of their work. It sold for $409 at Forsythe’s Auctions LLC.
Unusual shapes, barley twists and figural brass fittings make Merklen Brothers furniture unique. An identification tip: Furniture feet in the form of a carved wood claw clutching a glass ball were popular at the time. Merklen Brothers, however, made their ball-and-claw feet with a wooden ball, as seen on this chair.
Q: My father received a picture, possibly in the 1950s, that I am trying to identify. It looks like it is signed in pencil, but I can’t make out the signature.
A: Based on the signature, it sounds like your picture is a print. If it has any publisher or copyright information, that can help you with identification. Usually, the best way to identify a picture is to contact an art museum. Some large art museums have events where the public can have artworks authenticated and learn more about them. If there is a college or university with a fine arts department in your area, they may also be able to help. You can also check your library for access to online art databases or printed artist directories.
TIP: Lick a cotton swab and use it to remove dirt from small carvings on furniture. Saliva has enzymes that help dissolve the dirt.
CURRENT PRICES
Toy, horse, riding, metal, molded mane and tail, painted, white, red saddle, plastic reins, hanging footrest, wheels, Mobo, 30 1/2 x 28 inches, $50.
Leather, toiletry case, latch closure, top handle, glass bottles, retailer’s mark, Mitsukoshi Gofukuten, Tokyo, Japan, $65.
Stoneware, churn, cobalt blue feathers, applied arch handles, stenciled, capacity mark, salt glaze, slip glaze interior, wood dasher, Hamilton & Jones, Greensboro, Pennsylvania, base 17 inches, $810.
Photography, advertisement, Mr. Beard, Daguerreotype or Photographic Portraiter, color, posterboard, London, 12 x 9 1/2 inches, $1,950.
For more collecting news, tips and resources, visit www.Kovels.com.
