A table ripe for restoration

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1. Silver tea service

I am downsizing as I am about to move into a retirement home. I was hoping you could value my Viners silver plate three-piece tea service consisting of a large teapot (probably six cup), lidded sugar bowl and creamer. Condition is good with no dents or dings. Teapot has been used so needs a clean inside. All pieces have some small black spotting in places but I think most of this would come off with a clean. Teapot stands

22cm tall and is 12cm in diameter. Sugar bowl is 12cm tall and 8.5cm diameter and creamer is 7.5cm tall and 8.5cm in diameter. Thanking you, J McH.

Dear J McH, tea sets such as this are not so popular any more and I would think that your set would be worth around $80 to sell.

2. Rosewood table

Could you please help with this table that my husband wants to throw out? It is quite sound but obviously needs to be restored. It was in the shed when we bought our house 20 years ago. If it is worth restoring I might give it a go. Thanks, EL.

Dear EL, you do not mention the size but I would think it is more of a side table. The wood looks to be good quality Brazilian rosewood. I think it dates to the 1950s and is probably Italian. I would suggest that would get someone to take a good look at it and possibly have it restored professionally. It could be worth up to $1000 if restored properly.

3. Unusual vase

I have a collection of Dutch Gouda pottery and recently came across this unusual vase. It has Chinese markings. I haven’t seen another. This is approximately 26cm tall and has a very decorative geometric hand-painted decoration. No chips, cracks repairs or crazing. This would be circa 1920s. Hoping you can help, MVanH.

Dear M Van H, your vase while in the Gouda style is, in fact, Japanese from Kyoto. It was produced around

1920 by the Kinko¯ zan family of potters active from 1645 to 1927. The type of ceramics they produced is known as Satuma. This vase is unusual and would have a value of about $300 to a collector. 4. Six dining chairs

I have six antique fiddleback dining chairs with rose velvet upholstery in excellent used condition. They are now not needed as I am moving to a smaller house. Could you please tell me how much I could expect for them as I want to sell them. Regards, LW.

Dear LW, your dining chairs are reproduction ‘‘spearpoint’’ balloonback dinning chairs which were originally made in the 1860s. I don’t think you could expect much more than $50 per chair.

5. China cabinet

How much would this old china cabinet be worth please? NF.

Dear NF, this 1930s leadlight cabinet would be worth around $50. 6. Chinese candlesticks

I have an unusual pair of candlesticks.

They are metal but highly decorated with flowers. They have a few chips and dents.

They are 25.5 cm tall. Could you please tell me what they are? Yours faithfully, NK.

Dear NK, this pair of candlesticks were made in China around 1900.

This type of ware is known as ‘‘Cloisonne´ ’’. A metal shape is covered with enamel which is fired inside small areas of wire called cloisonne´ s.

This type of ware is very fragile and collectors insist on the condition being perfect. These sticks would have a value of about $100 for the pair if they are not perfect. 7. Microscope and case

I have an old Bausch & Lomb microscope that is in nice condition and is functional. There is some slight surface wear in some places on the metal, more so on the brass. Dates c1915 (Patent Jan 5, 1915) with jug handle, abbe condenser, fixed stage, three objectives, three eye pieces, light and carry case. Could you please give me an indication of its value today? VMcT.

Dear V Mc T, this microscope, while not of much interest to a collector, is a nice example from a reputable manufacturer. It would have a value of around $450.

8. Porcelain vase

I have a very old and fine porcelain vase with no markings. I cannot find anything similar on the internet so I am hoping you can help. It is in perfect condition, I don’t want to sell it but would like some information about it. SH.

Dear SH, this vase is ‘‘Milk Glass’’ made in France around 1880 and handpainted. It would be worth around $60.

❚ Deric Blackler and Portobello Antiques are located at The Tannery, 3 Garlands Rd, Christchurch. Email Deric at portobelloantiq@slingshot.co.nz for restoration and valuation advice and include ‘‘Homed’’ in the subject line. For publication, photos must be high quality. Ph

(03) 377 1772.