A charming little girl
Q. This desk was in our Toronto family home from when I was a little child in the 1950s. I have no idea of its age, except it’s obviously very old. It is walnut and probably from Europe, according to an acquaintance of ours. I couldn’t find any antique secretaire desks like it online. It has no identifying marks. It is 79 cm wide at the legs, 50 cm deep and 140 cm high to the top of the finial. (31 x 19.5 x 55 inches). I would love to know more about the history of the desk, if possible. •Vicki, Ottawa A. This is known as a lady’s desk, or bureau de dame, and would appear to be French in origin — likely dating to sometime between 1860 and 1870. I believe it’s mahogany rather than walnut, although the colour is certainly a bit faded. The secondary wood used in the drawer looks like mahogany as well. The many rococo design elements, including the carved cyma curves and plentiful scrolls, were popularized during the reign of Louis XV (1715-1774). Other French influences include the ebonized fleur-de-lis in the broken arch pediment, the cabriole legs, and the almost-hidden front drawer forming part of the apron. This delicate piece is both lovely and practical, and is worth $750. Q. This jam-making pan belonged to my great-greatgrandfather, who was born in England during the early 1800s. He not only made jam, but was a chandler, confectioner and grocer. The pan weighs 2.7 kg (six pounds), is 34 cm in diameter and 17 cm high with the handles (13.5 x 6.5 inches), which are held in place with four rivets each. It is made of copper and the rim is rolled and hammered in place over an iron rod to make it more rigid. It doesn’t have any markings, so perhaps it was made locally in Wiltshire. I don’t know if he was the first to use this pan, but I doubt that he was the last. I’d like to know how common a pan like this would have been back in its day and, of course, its value would be of interest as well. •Diane, Manotick A. Granddad’s jam pan (also known as a preserving pan) was likely made between 1840 and 1880. Pans made earlier would have dovetailed seams running vertically between the handles and around the bottom perimeter, and pans made later would not have been made of copper. Your provenance suggests an English manufacture. Copper items have been collected heavily, but interest has levelled out in recent years. Asking prices range higher, but active selling seems to be around $300 for your wonderful, practical heirloom.
Q. I have recently become the fourth generation custodian of this figurine. It originated in England and was brought to Canada in the early 1920s when the family immigrated here. Moulded into the back is a name, the word ‘Depose’ and a number ‘1293.’ The figurine measures 19 cm in height (7.5 inches). It must have been of some value, possibly sentimental value, as it is one of a few items they brought with them. Do you know anything of its origin and value? •Mike, Ottawa A.
This charming little girl is the work of Belgian artist Gustave Van Vaerenbergh (1873-1927), who hailed from the town of Schaerbeek in the district of Brussels. He is most well known for sculpting busts like yours, and his models have been fashioned in terra cotta, marble, alabaster, bronze and polychromed plaster. Yours is plaster, coloured to look like bronze. This affordable material provided decorations for a much wider segment of the population, especially after the Great Depression of the 1930s. “Depose” means the design 1293 was registered, and several would have been produced. A St. Louis, Missouri, company called Roman Art Company used his designs as well, although yours was likely produced in either Belgium or France. It’s worth about $75.