CARVED KNIFE REMAINS MYSTERY
Q I obtained this sheathed knife at a country auction about 20 years ago for $5. The auctioneer provided no information about it. My own modest research leads me to believe that it may originate from the West Coast Tlingit or Haida Indigenous peoples. It is 51 cm long (20 inches). The knife blade is metal with a carved wooden handle shaped with an eagle head. The wooden sheath is elaborately carved in the shape of a fish. Your insights would be much appreciated.
— Thank you. Phil, Ottawa
A Further research will reveal what this beautiful folky item is all about. Eagles and fish and your thoughts of northern West Coast nations make perfect sense for using this to clean fresh catches. It likely dates to the 1920s. Identifying the wood should reveal its origins since it was made for personal use or a local clientele. It's time to contact the great available resources of Canada such as the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. The National Gallery in Ottawa or the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto could also prove to be very helpful. Collectors of knives, folk art and possibly Indigenous artifacts depending on what can be determined will compete for this. Your research should carve out a value of $350.
Q This bowl came from my grandparents' home in England. The family folklore is that my grandmother worked in an antique shop in the early 1900s. She brought it home for her plastic tulips on the mantel where it sat for 70 years. It was given to me as wedding present in 1969. There is a marking on the bottom. The bowl has a diameter of 24 cm and is 13 cm tall (9.5 x 5 inches). I am interested to know if it is Chinese, Japanese or English and how old it might be. Thank you for your interest in my bowl.
— Claire, Ottawa
A You have a terrifically interesting English porcelain bowl. The blue `S' mark is that of the Caughley porcelain works in Shropshire, started by Thomas Turner. It operated from about 1775 to 1799. They decorated much of their own work — much of which constituted tea wares. But in your case they made the blank circa 1795 which was bought and decorated in this `Japan' style pattern by Robert Chamberlain's Worcester establishment. Turner had previously worked at the Worcester company. The gold Asian-styled character mark is that of a decorator. It is in very good condition and is rare and desirable. It is worth $350.
Q This oil-on-canvas seascape measures 122 cm wide and 61 cm high (48 x 24 inches) not including the frame. My fatherin-law retired from a large brewing company after 42 years where he was vice-president and treasurer. He was given this painting as a retirement gift. My wife inherited the painting upon his death in 2001. The artist name is a mystery to decipher and there is nothing on the back of the frame to indicate who it is. Perhaps you would recognize this signature so I could do some research.
— Respectfully, Patrick, White Lake, Ont.
A You have a painting by Italian artist Carlo Casati (1889-1965), who captured the Mediterranean, Capri, cabins in winter on a mountainside and crashing waves on a coastline, as in yours often with a sunset. Intended for decoration, these paintings and genre were quite popular in the late 1950s and 1960s — they were often perfectly aligned over a couch or chesterfield placed against the wall in a rec room. These artists made a living doing this type of commercial art but are usually unlisted, not having exhibited with art organizations like mainstream artists. It is not the type of art a collector will buy. It is a crisp and dramatic painting, though and it will bring more than many of Casati's works do at $450.
John Sewell is an antiques and fine art appraiser. To submit an item, 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.