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Q: My grandfather cut this by hand and turned down an offer of $20 for it around 1910. All the edges are sharp and there are no chips. What do you think it would be worth?
A: We love family history, but we were a little surprised to learn the reader’s grandfather may have actually cut this American Brilliant Period glass bowl. We are not saying that he did not — just that he would have had to have been a highly skilled artist working in a glass factory that was probably located in Corning, New York.
This is a master berry bowl, and at one time, it had eight to 12 smaller matching bowls to complete the set. Berries such as strawberries were served in the larger vessel and then portioned out to the smaller dishes to serve individual dinners.
At the turn of the 20th century (say 1885 to
1905), American Brilliant Period cut glass was a go-to gift for brides, hostesses, wives and the like. Examples were laboriously cut by hand using grinding wheels and polishing compounds to create a piece of glass that refracted light the way a fine piece of jewelry might.
This is a lovely pattern with an upper portion in a “chair bottom,” “daisyand-button” or “Harvard” pattern (a lot of names for virtually the same design) with hobstars (a star composed of numerous lines that intersect in the center to form something that looks like a hobnail) scattered around the center.
We are reminded of the design work of Thomas Gibbons Hawkes (1846—
1913), who was one of the titans of the cut glass industry. In particular we are reminded of his pattern 16, or “Coronet” (which this particular piece is not). Hawkes’ company was in business from 1880 until 1959.
Cut glass is extremely fragile, and it is unusual to find a piece that is not chipped in at least some small way. The reader needs to examine their berry bowl very carefully to make sure there are no hidden defects, as they are easy to overlook among all the faceting and play of light.
They should also look for a signature, which might be found in the center of the bowl.Also, turning the bowl in the light might create an angle in which a signature can be seen.
If a “Hawkes” (look for a bird and a trefoil motif )
signature is found, the value of the piece would be enhanced. Prices for American Brilliant Period cut glass are a bit soft, and we would like to know a few things before offering a firm value. Still, this is an intricate design with suggestions it was done by Thomas G. Hawkes, and it probably should retail in the $350-$450 range if in perfect condition.
Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson have written a number of books on antiques. Do you have an item you’d like to know more about? Contact them at Joe Rosson, 2504 Seymour Ave., Knoxville, TN 37917, or email them at treasures@knology.net. If you’d like your question to be considered for their column, include a high-resolution photo of the subject, which must be in focus, with your inquiry.
Rats and mice are mammals, which means they like to find cozy warm places to build their nests and birth and raise their young. They usually create comfortable burrows outdoors, but sometimes environmental factors drive them to find solace in warmer areas. Your home makes an attractive residence if they can get in, and they’re likely to prefer it as a permanent home if they can.
The best way to deal with rodent problems is to prevent them from ever getting inside in the first place. However, that can be easier said than done. Rats and mice possess flexible bone structures that allow them to squeeze into incredibly small cracks and crevices. Rats can maneuver through a hole the size of a quarter, and mice can often get through holes no wider than a pencil! Pipes, power outlets, garage doors, foundation cracks, siding and roofing all offer ideal entry spaces for pests. Carefully inspect your exterior, fill cracks and plug up openings as tightly as possible.
You can also head off furry visitors by carefully protecting your food supply and waste. Mice will try to get into boxes of food such as cereal and rice, while
rats will gravitate toward trash. You can minimize this by not leaving food out in the open, and storing food in glass or metal jars rather than cardboard or plastic boxes. Take trash out promptly and make sure the lid on the can is secured.
Once rodents get in, though, you’ll need professional help to get rid of
them. Pest control companies will begin to address your infestation by finding and sealing all entry points. They’ll also try to figure out where rats are coming from, as infestations often begin in a main lair outdoors or in sewer systems. Most pest control companies deal with rodents using old-school methods: baits, traps and exclusion. Fumigation
is an extreme step and should only be tried as a last resort.
You can also take some DIY steps to drive away rats and mice. Cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil, castor oil or citronella oil will irritate their sensitive noses and cause them to seek food and shelter elsewhere.
Take great caution with over-the-counter solutions. Many rodenticides contain chemicals dangerous to mammals, which means they can harm people or pets. In some cases, if a cat eats a mouse that has been poisoned, it will hurt the cat. You can use a variety of trap options. Spring traps are environmentally friendly and provide a humane death for rodents.
Glue traps are effective, but offer a slow and painful death. You can also try live traps, but check them frequently to avoid starving any trapped rodents.
Expect to pay between $200 and $600 for a rodent removal job. An extensive infestation that requires multiple visits will be more expensive, possibly more than $1,000.