NAUTICAL TREASURE

This wheel’s a big deal

Q Good day, John. I own the steering wheel from my late grandfather’s schooner, the Polar Bear. I believe this ship was used in the Canadian Arctic Expedition (CAE) and was purchased by my great grandfather. I am wondering if this item is worth appraising and selling. It measures approximately 61 cm in diameter (25 inches). Thanks.

-Pat, Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories

A Your wheel would normally be called architectural salvage in the nautical or maritime category, where items are often repurposed into tables or even light fixtures in the case of wheels. The accurate history you have of your unique historic wheel makes it far more important. The Polar Bear started life as a fishing schooner, built in 1911 in Seattle, Wash., being used for a few whaling expeditions and trade expeditions before becoming involved with the Canadian Arctic expedition. Vilhjalmur Stefansson was an Icelandic American Arctic explorer and ethnologist who studied the Inuit people on Victoria Island, Canada in 1910. He bought the Polar Bear for $20,000 in 1915 for Arctic exploration and the schooner made its way to your neighbourhood, Victoria Island, in 1916. Documentation, along with deciphering the other markings present, will help substantiate your treasure’s value, which, if auctioned, will begin at $1,000.

Q This curio cabinet was owned by my step-grandmother (1898-1962). We believe it was purchased in the United States. However, we have been over every inch of the cabinet and there are no marks of any kind to indicate a manufacturer or origin. The glass door is curved outward, as are the two glass shelves. There is an inner light, mirrored back and extra space in the bottom. Could you shed some light on this mystery? Thank you.

-Jane, Ottawa

A You have a wonderful example of a French serpentine front cabinet — a vitrine — made for displaying special small items. These were made from the 1890s into the 1920s, and yours will be a 20th-century example. The mirrored interior facilitated seeing the backs of items at the same time. The bronze mounts, serpentine curves, baroque carvings and the scenic panel all follow French provincial furniture designs made in the 1700s — particularly the marble-top commodes — of King Louis XV times. The marquetry inlaid scene imitates chinoiserie lacquered panels that were very popular at that time — this humorous one of aristocrats with a female startled by a suitor’s advance on a settee. They are most often not labelled as to maker and many were produced. It is worth $650.

Q I have what I call a deacon’s bench. It was donated to our church in 1973 by an old Presbyterian Church in Quebec. When our church said they had no use for it and asked for bids I won it, unchallenged, for $100. The under-seat compartment was used to store bibles. It is heavy, made of solid oak with an aged dark patina and is 122 cm wide (48 inches). At some time it must have stood in water that bleached 5 cm (2 inches) of the finish on the back legs. The condition is as I acquired it. I would be grateful if you could give an opinion on the age of this piece of furniture and perhaps give it a value. Yours sincerely,

-Ian, Ottawa

A This same basic bench design was around as early as circa 1450, when they graced the interiors of monasteries, castles and the huge homes of aristocrats. The panelled backs were sometimes part of the wainscot. Around 1880, factory-made oak furniture became the boon of decorating society for 40 years in North America. Yours was made in the 1890s with stunning expensive quarter-cut oak. It was likely made and sold in Quebec. Carved paw feet border a bowed front and acanthus leaves highlight the “ogee” curve of the top crest rail. The featured back panels are framed with art nouveau-stylized trees. The finish and colour are rich and the back feet can be easily restored. It will always be a practical and desirable piece of furniture worth about $450 today.

John Sewell is an antiques and fine art appraiser. To submit an item to his column, go to the ‘Contact John’ page at www.johnsewellantiques.ca. Please measure your piece, say when and how you got it, what you paid and list any identifying marks. A high-resolution jpeg photo must also be included. (Only email submissions accepted.) * Appraisal values are estimates only.*