Names of antiques change as original use wanes
STerry & Kim Kovel
ometimes it’s difficult to understand the original use of antique furniture, such as a linen press or a Hoosier cabinet, that has outlived its usefulness. People younger than 50 probably wouldn’t recognize a telephone stand, an ice box or a milk chute.
Even more confusing is a round table that was called a wine-tasting table in the 1860s and probably was never used when tasting wine. The table has a round or oval top with a hinge mechanism underneath that can be released to tilt the top to a screen position. There are circular depressions carved in the top to “keep the wine bottle secure,” according to an old dictionary. But the depressions are two or three times the size of a wine bottle’s base.
Now, the tilt-top table with depressions is known to be a breakfast, supper, tea or dessert table that held plates, cups, saucers and food for a meal. The top was 1 to 5 feet in diameter.
A 19th-century George Iii-style table with recessed sections was auctioned recently at New Orleans Auction Gallery. It was 3 feet in diameter and had nine recessed circles. Listed as a tripod table (three-part leg) with a floriform top, it was estimated at $1,200 to $1,800.
Q: One of the drawer pulls to my wife’s Clark’s O.N.T. spool cabinet is missing. I’m trying to locate one like it. The backplates are embossed “O.N.T.” Can you help?
A: Some online sites offer similar replacement drawer pulls. Although they aren’t marked “O.N.T.,” the style is very similar, and they might be an acceptable substitute.
Some sites that sell similar drawer pulls are hardwareofthepast.com and robinsonsantiques.com, and there are other sites that sell all sorts of used hardware for antiques.
Q: I have a four-eyed drunken-sailor bottle opener that I first saw about 1960. It was screwed to the wall of my grandparent's garage. It’s made of cast iron but there is no paint left on it. It’s a face with a bald head, four eyes, a handlebar mustache and an open mouth with protruding teeth that are the bottle opener. I can't find one exactly like it.
A: This novelty bottle opener has been made for years and newer ones are easy to find. Some claim to be made in the original British molds from about 1900. Many copies have been made since then and they are still being made. New ones sell for $15 to $20. Old ones are about $25 with good paint.
It isn’t possible to estimate the value of your bottle opener because you said it’s not like the common version, but it wouldn’t be worth much because the paint is worn off. CURRENT PRICES
Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.
• Cloisonne teapot: cobalt blue, flowers, vases, teacups, potted tree, hexagonal, bail handle, 8½ inches; $260
• Legras cameo glass vase: maple leaves, cranberry cut to frosted, tapered, signed, 16½ inches; $420
• Hatpin holder: figural, pink clover, green leaves, Bayreuth, 4½ inches; $660
• Secretary: broken pediment, 2 paneled doors, slant front, 3 drawers, molded base, parcel gilt, green, 83 by 47½ inches; $770
• Hawkes whiskey decanter: glass, intaglio, horse head, flowers, leaves, silver stopper, 8¼ inches; $840
• Tea caddy: mahogany, scalloped lid, flowers, lion, lion mask pulls, brass feet, 10½ by 7 inches; $940
Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel, authorities on collectibles, write for the King Features Syndicate. Visit www.kovels. com.