Windsor Star

Victorian chair likely had mate

- JOHN SEWELL

Q I am looking for history on these two chairs, one of which has arms. I was told they are Jacques and Hay. I love the style. — Manuela, Woodbridge

A Certainly Toronto’s Jacques & Hay would be a candidate to have made this Renaissanc­e Revival style chair, which dates to about 1865. Albert James Lordly, of St. John, N.B., and various furniture makers in Quebec would also be good guesses. All three worked with the stylized shells, roundels and familiar turned front legs exhibited by your piece.

Your gent’s chair probably had a mated lady’s chair, and your side chair would have had three more to match it.

The wood is most likely walnut and the nicely refurbishe­d covering is in one of the two best colours for this furniture (maroon and blue).

it’s a bit of a buyer’s market for Victorian furniture these days. While it might have brought more than double this value 15 years back, today your chair could likely be bought for $250. The side chair to match would be in the area of not more than $75.

Pink dresser set a rare find

Q I hope you find this old dresser set of interest. It is a lovely pale pink colour and I believe it came from my mother’s family in Galt, Ont.

The inside of the round container is imprinted with what looks like the cornflower design, otherwise the pieces all have a lovely swirl design. The tray is 25 centimetre­s long by 14 cm wide. The container is 10 cm in diameter. — Marg, Ottawa

A You have a rare and fabulous set. You have correctly identified the cornflower pattern engraved only on the base of the covered bowl — and this makes your set particular­ly special for the Canadian market.

This well- loved design, distinguis­hed by the 12 smooth-petalled flower with fringed tips, was created by William John (Jack) Hughes, a Canadian glass cutter whose company produced cornflower from 1912 for about 70 years in Toronto.

I consulted cornflower glass expert Walter Lemiski, director of the Canadian Depression Glass Associatio­n and author of the book Elegant Glass with Cornflower.

He says your set was made between 1925 and 1936 by the Tiffin Glass Company in Tiffin, Ohio. The four-piece dresser set, Tiffin’s line No. 8851, included two perfumes, rouge box, and tray, and is commonly called Milady by collectors.

Lemiski points out that your set is only the fourth coloured one to have shown up. You should be able to find a second perfume bottle. Without the cornflower engraving the set would only be worth $150. Your completed set will likely bring $2,500 at auction.

Garniture made in late 1800s

Q My grandfathe­r had this clock and its two bookend pieces on his mantle for years. From what I understand he received the piece in England, and believed it to be from the Boer War. The base is marble and, unfortunat­ely, the sword has broken off, although we do still have it. — Cameron, Kitchener

A This is called a “garniture” — a matched set usually comprising three pieces, often a clock and two vases, and meant to rest on a fireplace mantel. Your set was made between 1880 and 1900. Coupled with the soldier figure, this could certainly tie it to either of the Boer Wars (1880-1881 and 1899-1902).

The sword can be restored to the figure; however, the hairline crack on the enamelled clock dial will hold the value back slightly. Restored, your set should fetch about $1,000 on today’s market.

 ??  ?? Chair: $250
Chair: $250
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? Garniture: $1,000
Garniture: $1,000

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