Antique or Junque: Armoire reflects two design eras
Q: Enclosed is a photo of an antique armoire I purchased from an antiques dealer in Los Angeles in 1990. I was told it originally was from England and made in the late 1880s. It is oak, and it has five drawers behind the left door and a pole for hanging clothes in the center, which I now use for a TV. For transport, it breaks into five parts: the top and bottom pieces, the left side with the door attached as one unit, the center section with the right door attached, and the left door to be carried separately.
I would like to know the present value of my armoire and anything about its history.
A: Your armoire is a blend of two periods of design. The straight lines and simplicity of design reflect the Arts and Crafts movement. The cornice with dentil molding and bun feet show the beginning of the Edwardian era. The Arts and Crafts period lasted from 1880 to 1920. The Edwardian period began around 1901 and ended in 1910.
Your armoire was made around 1900 and would probably be worth $1,500 to $2,500.
Q: I have an electric stained-glass that originally belonged to my grandparents. It had been in their home for as long as my mother and her siblings can remember. The stainedglass colors include bright red-oranges, orange, yellow and deep green. It has two light bulb sockets with pull chains and the original wiring. The overall height is about 20 inches tall, and it is in excellent condition. Underneath the shade is the word “Scudella.”
Can you tell me anything about the history of my lamp?
A: Your stained-glass lamp with a cast metal base can be attributed to the artist William T. Scudella. He recreated Tiffany-style lamps in the last quarter of the 20th century. Scudella was born in Chicago in 1909. He was an apprentice to his father, Teddeo, who worked with Louis Comfort Tiffany in the early 1900s. He also studied painting in Italy. Scudella moved to South Haven, Michigan, around 1973. While there, he recreated Tiffany stained-glass lamps with floral designs in bold bright colors. He died in Michigan in 1990.
Your Tiffany-style stained-glass lamp was made around 1970 and would probably be worth $300 to $600.
Q: I have a pottery dog I am curious about. It is one of a pair, and I think they are Labrador retrievers. One is black, and the other is yellow. They have been stored away for years. Each is about 5 inches long and 3 inches tall, including the base. Marked on the bottom are the words: “Markay - England — True Scale Dog Collection.”
We are not sure if they have any value. We have been thinking we should just take them to a pawnshop and get whatever we can for them.
A: The mark you described was used by Markay Art Studio in Staffordshire, England, in the mid-20th century. Markay Art Pottery animal figurines can be seen for sale online within the range of $15 to $25. If you sell your pair of retrievers, you can expect to receive approximately 30% to 50% of their value.
Address your questions to Anne McCollam, P. O. Box 247, Notre Dame, IN
46556. Items of a general interest will be answered in this column. Due to the volume of inquiries, she cannot answer individual letters.