Collectors take notice of Canadian artist’s work
Q I’ve been looking after my parents’ effects and thought I’d find out more about this canvas painting, which is a favourite of mine. It’s very charming with the girl sitting on a branch watching some ducks and ducklings. The size of just the canvas is 34 by 44 cm (13.5 x 17.5 inches). The lower left corner has a script signature of ‘Charles C. Ward’ and a date of 1883. I will keep it but am curious about value.
Kitt, Caledon
A Charles Caleb Ward (18311896) was born in the thriving port of Saint John, N.B. and studied in England with William Henry Hunt, and in the United States with Asher B. Durand. Most of his time was spent in his home province but he did keep a studio in New York for about five years circa 1870. He is known for his fine paintings of children, many being smaller in size, as in your lovely example here. His work does not come to market very often, and collectors take notice when it does. Yours will perform well either side of the border at a value of $3,000.
Q Your recent article on the lovely Lalique vase reminded us of a Lalique bowl I inherited from my maternal grandparents. My bowl is opalescent and includes a pattern of branches and leaves. Also, the bowl changes colour and hues of mauve and pink are apparent in the glass. The ‘R. LALIQUE’ signature on the bottom can clearly be seen. The dimensions are a diameter of 23.5 cm and a height of 10 cm (9.25 x 4 inches). It would be greatly appreciated if you could send us an appraisal of this piece. Sincerely,
Denise, Ottawa
A This lovely pattern is called Gui, the French word for mistletoe. As regular readers and collectors will know, René Lalique (1860-1945) began his career as a jewelry designer, but later moved into glass, the material for which he is best remembered. Your bowl dates from before his 1945 death, as evidenced by the “R. Lalique” mark on the bottom, While the Lalique factories continued to make glass after 1945, later pieces were marked simply “Lalique.” These bowls were made in several sizes, in both frosted and clear glass. Opalescent, like yours, always brings higher prices. Interest in rare Lalique continues to grow, and your bowl is worth $1,250 today.
Q I inherited this pocket kit from my father. It is a wooden box 13.5 cm high by 6.5 cm wide (5.4 x 2.6 inches), covered in a rough leather-like material I often thought might be sharkskin. While it shows some wear on the corners it is still in a solid condition and the latch works. The box holds a rectangular protractor, a folding rule, both with many scales on them, and a parallel rule. I believe they are made of ivory. There are also five other pieces including compasses — one which uses ink or pencil. The rules have the words Abraham Bath on them and there is some hand writing on the inside of the case where I can read 3 Sept. 1852. I would be interested in any information you can give me on this.
Evan, Waterloo
A What you have is a draughtsman’s etui — a name for a case to hold tools or other oddments. The outside, as you suggested is likely shagreen (sharkskin) often used on expensive things in the 18th and early 19th centuries. The maker is Jacob Abraham of Bath, Somerset, England who operated as an optician and supplier of scientific equipment primarily between 1800-1840. Your very complete unit, which does include ivory tools, is a rare thing and a tool collector will be happy to own it at $450.
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 high-resolution jpeg photo must also be included. (Only email submissions accepted.) Note: Appraisal values are estimates only.