Niagara Falls always captivating
Q I purchased this old print of Niagara Falls from a local church sale for about $5. The measurements of the picture itself are 36 by 55 centimetres (14 by 21.5 inches). You will see that there is a note: ‘Supplement to The Christmas Globe 1904.’ The Department of Agriculture is also mentioned. I would love to see this featured in your “This Old Thing” column.
• Peter, Cambridge
A Your print captures some of the enchantment of the falls that has drawn tourists worldwide for years. The Globe had its beginnings in 1844 Toronto with George Brown — a politician and newspaper man. By the late 1880s, prints like yours supplemented the paper for at least 20 years. The newspaper became the Globe and Mail in 1936. In your 1904 depiction, in the left foreground just downstream from the American Falls is the docking area for the Maid of the Mist with the nearby inclined plane that carried visitors from the upper river edge to the lower river edge. These prints are good quality, and although there is some water damage at the top and bottom edges, the main scene is quite clean. This vista is not easily found and the frame is likely original. Niagara Falls continues to fascinate, and your artwork is worth about $150.
Q On the weekend, I purchased this bowl from an auction for $4. I think it is beautiful and possibly hand-painted. It is 20 cm tall (8 inches) and has a width of 28 cm (11 inches). I could not find any markings. Any information you can give me on this piece would be greatly appreciated.
• Marilyn, Ariss
A You have a stunning hand-painted jardinière that almost certainly began its existence in the workshops of Limoges, France. By 1900, when yours was made, there were over 100 decorating shops and factories producing porcelain in Limoges. The artistry is high quality and Limoges was a leader in their production. The most valued are those signed by the artist. It is stunning with its white, pink and red roses with a background of apple blossoms. The raised gold around the neck and shoulders is a nice embellishment. You will see extremely high asking prices for many but caution is advised. It is wonderful and conservatively worth $550.
Q About 25 years ago I bought this old mirror from an antique shop in Ottawa. It has always intrigued me as to its provenance, use and age. It has signs of some hinges and measures 128 cm high by 80.5 cm wide and 4 cm thick (50 by 31 by 1.5 inches). There is a bit of mirror deterioration along edges of a few panes. The original glass was puttied in place. Any information would be most welcome.
• Jacques, Ottawa
A What you have is a casement window — one that is attached to a frame at the side and swings outward. It is fairly large and was likely used in a commercial building such as a mill or factory from the 1880s or ’90s. Popular decorating tastes have called heavily on window salvage in the past 20 years — often to be made into mirrors making confined condo spaces seem larger. Some have been hung as room dividers. The finished wood stands it well for buyers.
The panes needing work should be replaced to give it maximum value. Restored, it’s worth at least $350.