How much is my Kachina doll worth?

Sherry asks? I don't know if this is Hopi or not, I've donated it to a local auction and want to know how much it's worth.

AW says: Although you didn't send a measure,emt, it appears from the pictures and the plants in the background that your Kachina is about 4 feet tall. He's contemporary and is pretty neat. It's definitely in the Hopi style, and one would hope from the feathers in his headdress that he was made by a Native American. (they are the only ones allowed to use eagle feathers) but without a signature or attribution, I have now way of knowing for sure. I'm going to assume for the sake of this appraisal that it is made by a Native American, as it likely is.

Retail value: $350-$450

Wholesale value: $200

Keywords:

• Native American
• American Indian
• Kachina

How much is my German Tea set worth?

Hello from Martha Johnson.

This is a very pretty little tea set - 17 pieces (including two lids), 6 cups/saucers (the cups measure 3" across), a creamer, a lidded sugar and the pot, also lidded.  There are no chips or cracks.  The bottom of each piece reads 'Bavaria, Waldershof, Germany and has a little crown.

Bavaria, Waldershof, Germany tea set

AW says: That is an adorable tea set, and it has several things going for it, one is that it's in an attractive floral print that will appeal to a lot of people. Second, it's a complete service, and third, it's in excellent condition.

Circa pre-WWII

Retail value: $150-$200

Wholesale: $50-$95

Keywords

• Bavaria
• Germany
• tea set
• tea service

How much are these jadite foo dogs worth?

Martha asks:

I have these jade foo dogs.  10" x 3"  As you can see, one of the dogs has a black spot under the tail, and black spots seem to have seeped under the jade.

Jade foo dogs

AW says: These are what is referred to as a yellow jade, with a Celedon type of color. Sometimes also called Jadite as some variations of jade are. This color is a bit more desirable and collectible than the green jade in most cases. Mainly because it's older and more rare.

The black imperfection doesn't help the value, but this is a wonderful old sculpture and it doesn't completely destroy the value either.

• Retail value: $875-$1000
• Wholesale value: $450-$600

Keywords

• Yellow jade
• Jadeite
• Celedon
• Foo Dogs
• foo lions

How much is my bronze urn worth?

Barry says:

I was told this urn is bronze and that it was imported from France.  It was purchased from Sandra or Susan (not sure) F. in Sandestin, FL.  Told it reailed for $5,000. The only marking on it looks like an S-- (see image 5627).  It weighs almost 16 pounds.  It stands 16 inches tall. Its base is 6 inches in diameter. Lion heads on both sides.  The lid is removable. Please let me know if you have further questions.  Thanks!

Hello Barry,

Your Bronze does appear to be one made by a French animalier aka an artist known for sculpting animals. It's very likely a funeral urn for a wealthy person. As far as it being bronze or not, it's tough to say without seeing a picture of the bottom. If you could send one along that would be great.  However, it certainly LOOKS to be bronze. Take a magnet to it, this won't tell you for sure that it IS bronze, but if the magnet sticks, it cannot be bronze.

Circa 19th century, we know this by the handles on the the Lion's mouth and the styling, and by the simple fact, that this is the period when most of these were created.

Retail value: $2,200 - $3,500 - We have a wide range here because there is such speculation on market value with investment quality antiques right now. The "S" mark means little as it could be a partial mark of which the rest is worn away. There were many bronze artists so without more to go on, the work will have to stand on it's own merit rather than on artist attribution.

Wholesale would of course be less, and determine on speculation of profit margin by the interested party.

Keywords:

• urn
• animalier
• bronze

Bronze urn

How much is my sleeper sofa worth? Furniture appraisal

Mary asks:

I would like an appraisal of this hide-a-bed 1950's(I think) sofa. It has been reupholstered and the right end is loose and needs some fixing. I'm ready to get rid of this but because of its unique style wonder if it is worth anything. The mattress had a Chittenden and Eastmen label, a bedding company in Burlington IA. Would appreciate any help you can give me

Vintage Chittenden and Eastman sleeper sofa.

AW says: Chittenden & Eastman began in 1866 and were one of the leading mattress companies in the US. In the 1950s & 60s they really started to emphasize their upholstered furniture line.

While you're sofa is neat, it's very difficult for overstuffed furniture to have much collectible value, especially a piece that's been reupholstered, and needs work. To have it redone, would not be cost effective.

• Retail value: $125-$200
• Wholesale: $25-$50

Keep track of how much old sofas are selling for with the special eBay filter I've built below.

What's it worth? Appraisal of brass duck statue

Hello AuctionWally. I bought this duck some time ago at Antique Alley in Texas...miles of families selling all sorts of things from their farms. The owner's family had obtained it some years ago from a local bank...they were demolishing the old bank to rebuild and had several unclaimed/unidentified items in the collateral vault that they were selling. I have been unable to locate any info on it but hopefully you can help. Perhaps you will tell me it is nothing more than the prettiest boat anchor ever made, but it is rather stunning in person:)

It weighs just under 25 lbs and appears to be made of brass although I am not certain. The lighting in the photos is horrible, but it is brass colored. It is 20" from tail to beak. 14.5" tall and 9.5" wide. It is not magnetic.

You can see photos at this link if the uploads are uncooperative.

http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/alviesattic/library/?page=1

25 lb brass duck statue

AW says: I love it!  I don't think it's a boat anchor, that would just be too ironic considering that it's a duck!  They carving around the eyes and the mouth almost assuredly makes this a Chinese import. The medallion design tells me this as well.

Your duck has several things going for it. One is that it's a very large size for a brass animal, and second is the heavily brazed flat underside of the base. This piece was  made with good balance and proportion.  It's more than a decorative duck, it's a tribute to the bird itself and perhaps has some significance in Chinese mythology.

The heavy ground bottom would indicate it to be circa mid to late 20ths century.

• Retail value: $275-$300
• Wholesale: $75-$125

Keywords

• Duck statue
• Chinese bronze/brass duck

Bottom base of brass duck

What's it worth? Appraisal for Art Nouveau/deco style chandelier

William asks: Here is the third chandelier to be appraised. What can you tell me about it.

AW says: That's an Art Deco/Art Nouveau style Chandelier, some would call it a transitional piece that being transition from the Art Nouveau to Art Deco, which is a bit later ( it's actually a blend of these two) It's an amazing chandelier again the Crystal is likely Austrian or check as with you last wedding cake Chandelier which I recently appraised. Circa mid-century.
This should be more amenable to a larger audience of decorators and collectors as its appeal in style is a bit more commonplace.

Retail value: $1,250-$1,500
Wholesale $300-$450

Keywords
Art Deco style
art nouveau
Crystal ball
Crystal teardrop pendants

What's it worth? Appraisal of European mahogany rocking chair

kathy asks:

Hi Mr. Kolenda - I have a carved antique rocking chair that I inherited from my Grandparents when they passed away. It was owned by their parents and I'm not sure how far it goes back in the family after that. I would guess that it has been in our family for at least 150 years...only a guess. It fits like it was made for a lady. I am 5' 6" and it fits me perfectly. It is in fantastic condition and been kept out of sight at our home as we have three kids and a dog. We are moving and am thinking on placing it in a room in our new home but am unsure of its value. If it is too valuable, I would certainly keep it safe until the kiddos grow a bit more. I would appreciate any help you can give me in placing a value on this piece and any history you have pertaining to it.

Thanks
Kathy

AW says: Your rocker is a European style, handcarved mahogany rocking chair. It's circa 1890 – 1925. It does seem to be elegant, delicate and suited for ladies form. I love the handcarved splat on the back.
Although it is an antique chair in excellent condition, unfortunately rocking chairs don't command an awful lot of money. I recommend keeping the chair if you enjoy it.

Retail value: $225
Wholesale: $50-$95

Keywords:

Rocking chair
Mahogany
Hand carved splat

What's it worth? Appraisal of crystal waterfall wedding cake ballroom chandelier

William asks what can you tell me about my chandelier? I got this from a very high end store I worked in.

AW says: This is perhaps one of the grandest waterfall/wedding cake chandeliers I've ever seen. It's French style but the crystals are likely Czech or Austrian leaded crystal. Each crystal appears to be infused with gold flakes to set off the light and I'm sure when this is lit it is the center of attraction.
This is by far the best chandelier you sent me to appraise. It's Massive size, high-quality workmanship and splendor make it a very valuable light fixture. It is indeed a work of art.
It was manufactured in the mid-20th century.

Retail value: $3,500
Wholesale: $1,500-$1,750

Keywords:
Waterfall chandelier
Wedding cake
Crystal
Austrian
Czech
Ballroom