Watch fob is meant to charm
Q. I am hoping that you can help me identify this article that belonged to my Dad. The ivory horse head hangs from a fancy piece of brass coloured chain and measures 8cm long (3 inches). Unfortunately, one eye is missing. Below it hangs an ivory cutout measuring 3cm long (one inch). I am curious to know what this mystery piece was used for and if it has any value. Thanks for your help. Barbara, Kitchener
A. I am guessing that your Dad was an equestrian. You have a watch fob from the 1890s — the decorative charm for a chain used with a vest pocket watch. The bit and horse head are mother of pearl. The bluish highlights on the thinner edges distinguish this as the glimmering nacreous shell layer of mollusks (clams, ETC.). There was an identical one done in ivory with a horseshoe attachment. The bridle, chain and other hardware is gold plate. The missing eye pupil appears to be a very small cabochon that could be supplied. This unusual piece is meant to charm and will attract at least $175.
Q. This old tin box is filled with marbles that were my grandfather’s prized possessions from his youth. He gave them to my mother. I love the colours and they look homemade. The tobacco can is about 13 tall (5 inches). I’m wondering if there is any story to this lot. Anne, Ottawa
A. Marbles gained popularity with children around the mid-1800s when the Industrial Revolution made mass production of many things possible. Most were made in Germany or the United States. In 1919, your clay marbles were sold in a ‘strong bag’ holding ‘about 175’ for 13 cents. Bags included mostly smaller sizes but contained larger ones — the largest at 5 cm called ‘shooters’ for a game of the times. Some can be hand-decorated with designs. They were made with and without shiny finishes (glazes) and some to check for are those with Rockingham glazes (brown speckled, sometimes called Bennington). Marbles, along with buttons, sell better in a container where there is mystery as to the contents and the quantity. Laid out, they are worth about $50 (if there are no surprises). In the D. Ritchie & Co., Montreal, Canada tin worth $25, your package is worth $125.
Q. I have a teapot that was originally in my grandmother’s china cabinet, then my mother’s and now mine. I’m 80 and think it’s time to pass it on to my daughter-inlaw but first I’d like to know more about it and also if there is any value that should be insured. The pot itself is 21.5 cm high (8.5 inches). We lived in Hamilton on the escarpment and my Mom said that when she and Grandma went to the Mountain movie theatre, sometimes they were giving out china or glasses, and Grandma was given this teapot in the 1930s. As far as I know, no one has ever used the teapot. The only identifying mark I can see is “Made in Japan.” Thank You. Barbara, Hamilton
A. Your figural dragon teapot was made in some numbers beginning in the 1920s and through to the late 1940s. They were not expensive, as your grandmother found with her show premium, and the maker, using the ‘T A in a circle’ mark could be the Takito company but many other companies made very similar designs due to their popularity with Western society. The thick, hand-painted enamel, with images
of deities, imitates decoration found on Japanese Satsuma wares. Often the cup bottoms, of matching cups and saucers to these sets have lithophane cameos of Geishas that appear when held up to the light. Your fun teapot is worth about $75 today to someone having the cups to go with it.
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 highresolution jpeg photo must also be included. (Only email submissions accepted.) * Appraisal values are estimates only.*