PROVENANCE HAS INFAMOUS COMPANY
Q This plate has been in my wife's Wakopa, Man. family for some time where the family ran the general store that this plate came from. Their store was briefly famous in 1927. Earle Nelson, who was wanted for strangling at least 26 women, was walking back to the United States (Wakopa is only a few miles north of the border). He stopped into their store to get a drink. My wife's relative recognized Nelson and his wife called the police while he and another fellow trailed Nelson. The police soon arrested Nelson — he was tried and executed. Can you tell me anything about this plate? Thank you, as always, for your time.
Bruce, Kanata, Ont.
A Wow — that is quite the provenance. Nelson carried out these heinous crimes through deception, use of aliases and several escapes from authorities. His 16-month crime spree began during 1926 in the United States and ended up in Winnipeg. What you have is a Japanese plate with Eiraku decoration — the family name of potters in Kyoto. This is silver deposit on a red background and it became popular from the 1820s for about a century. The dragon is coiled around a central medallion that is often an archaic Chinese character mark from the Ming Dynasty with a happy meaning such as longevity. Although many pieces of Eiraku are dated for the 19th century I believe this one was made close to the time of your provenance — during the Taisho Period — named for the Emperor of Japan, who reigned from 1912 to 1926. A museum relating to the tragic events might be interested. But its value is more of a personal significant memento. It is worth $60.
Q This painting hung in my parents' home in Mindemoya, Manitoulin Island, Ont., for 25 years. They picked it up for very little at a yard sale or auction sale held on Manitoulin. I had it reframed. It now hangs in my home. Without the frame it measures 30.5 x 39 cm (12 x 15.5 inches). Thank you and I look forward to seeing what you have discovered.
Janet, Winchester, Ont.
A The almost indecipherable signature belongs to Frank Charles Hennessey (1894-1941), who was born in Ottawa. Primarily self-taught, he did study at Albion College in Michigan. A true Renaissance man, he had varied interests and professional jobs as a naturalist, entomologist and geologist. Your habitant winter scene, dated 1940, could be the Gaspé, the Laurentians, a Gatineau area of Quebec or Ontario's Algonquin Park. This is a combination of chalk and pastel done on paper. He was a member of the Ontario Society of Artists and the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. He also illustrated for books on birds. There is much intrigue and interest in this artwork and buyers will respond with $1,750.
Q I like to give my grandchildren storied memories about family treasures, woven into our family lore, such as this watch brooch from my grandmother. One inevitably asks “how much is it worth today, Nanny?” My great-grandfather had a successful lumber mill in the 1920s in what is now Gatineau. It is 5 cm long (2 inches) and is marked “Birks” on the face. It works and I wear it occasionally but when you dress up, who cares what time it is as long as you are having a good time. Thanks again.
Shirley Anne, Ottawa
A Brooch watches are rarer than wristwatches. Even though the gold plating is worn, the decorative side has stunning enamelling called guilloche — produced by coloured glass paste applied to a patterned metal background (often sterling silver). The worn enamel of the bow tie top equates to “well-loved.” Small watch faces are not friendly to quick glances and are not as popular. But this is a showy example, in good condition and Birks is a distinguished name. It is worth $75. 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.*