Pressed glass reflects the Art Deco movement of the late 1920s and early ’30s
Q. I came across this old secretary or butler’s desk on the roadside in Burlington. As I picked it up another driver stopped to look, lamenting I had gotten to it first. It has missing pulls but is otherwise in good condition. The two large drawers have dovetail fittings of a type suggesting it was crafted after the 1900s. There is only one identifying stamped marking of numbers. Inside are small drawers and pockets for letters. I’d love to know something about the time period or make, regardless of value. — Jonina, Milton A. This is the opposite of ‘road kill.’ You have a slant front desk done in the 1700s style of William & Mary, but made circa
Q.
These black ornaments are in perfect condition and have to be at least 90 years old. The owner is my 89-year-old sister and we think these must have been a wedding gift to our dad and his first wife. I couldn’t find any markings on the bottoms, but they’re about 30 centimetres tall (12 inches) and feel waxy and velvety. — Edith, Listowel 1910. You are correct about the machine dovetails, which are much coarser than those done by hand. The stretcher base and feet turnings are characteristic, as are the stepped fielded panels of the drawers and the compact proportions. Quite possibly made in southwestern Ontario, it is oak with an original stain, very dark, presumably chosen to mimic the earlier piece. Suitable pulls can be found for it. Good catch. It’s worth about $350.
A. Your ornaments are commonly called a “console set” consisting of a candlestick pair and a matching bowl. This one definitely reflects the Art Deco movement of the late 1920s and early ’30s. The pressed glass design is called barley, spiral, or Jacobean twist. This black satin finish is most often attributed to the Tiffin Glass line made by the United States Glass Company in Tiffin, Ohio. This striking glass trio is worth $125. Q. Before I donate this to Value Village, I am wondering if you can tell me if this picture of a British thatched roof cottage has any value. My sister found this at a yard sale for one dollar and gave it to me 15 years ago to hang in my old farmhouse. It is a watercolour by William H. Sadd, signed and dated 1933. The size is 23 by 36 cm (9 by 14 inches) and it is in excellent condition. If you wouldn’t mind letting me know what you think it’s worth, I would really appreciate it. — Bernice, Wilsonville
A.
Sadd (1864-1954) was a well-connected painter studying under prominent Canadian artists Frederic Marlett Bell-Smith and Lucius O’Brien. Born in Toronto, he began his career apprenticing under Ernest Krieghoff for whom he made Christmas cards. Later he painted across the country, doing landscapes and homes of many famous Canadians. Ottawa was one of his favourite areas, and he worked there for a time before retiring to Manotick. He is always of interest, although his oil paintings sell for higher prices than his watercolours. Still, this wonderful taste of England is worth $250. The decision is yours.