We begin the New Year with a diverse array of heirlooms that have been passed down through the families of our readers. Among these are a set of wicker furniture from the Heywood Brothers Wakefield Company, a beautiful bust made of marble and alabaster from Italy, a rare kerosene lamp, a ribbon for fraternal membership, and a kid’s North-West Mountie outfit.
Heywood Brothers Wakefield wicker furniture
In 1897, Heywood Brothers of Gardner, Massachusetts, and Wakefield Rattan of South Reading, Massachusetts, combined to form the Heywood Brothers Wakefield Company, which produced this wicker settee furniture.Thanks to the collector
These are some of my wife’s family’s wicker furnishings. She recalls them in her grandparents’ Michigan house. The table is around 30 inches tall, while the settee and armchair are about 32 inches. The Heywood Brothers Wakefield Company Chicago label is located beneath the table. I’m curious about their potential worth. Milwaukie, T.T.
In 1897, Heywood Brothers of Gardner, Massachusetts, and Wakefield Rattan of South Reading, Massachusetts, united to become the Heywood Brothers Wakefield Company, which produced your furniture. Given their name change to Heywood-Wakefield in 1921, your furniture’s style and label indicate that it was made between 1910 and 1920. They seem to be in their original finish based on your photos. The quality of this furniture was excellent.
The price that such furniture may fetch at auction and the price that dealers who specialize in it might demand are frequently very different. According to your photos, you could anticipate paying $150–$250 for such a table at auction, $300–$500 for your armchair with a magazine bin at the side, and maybe $500–$750 for your sofa. It would not be surprising for a dealer specializing in antique American furniture to charge $1,500 to $2,500 for a table of this type, $2,000 to $3,000 for an armchair, and possibly $2,500 to $3,500 for a settee. Collectors are looking for examples of this type of furniture in excellent, all original condition.
Bust of Dante Alighieri
The Italian poet, author, and philosopher Dante Alighieri (c. 1265–1321), well known for his poem The Divine Comedy, is depicted in this bust.Thanks to the collector
My grandfather recently gave me a marble bust of Dante that was inherited from his father more than 150 years ago. It measures 9 inches in width and little more than 8 inches in height. I would like to know the origin of this bust and its potential value. Corvallis, J.P.M.
Dante Alighieri, an Italian poet, writer, and philosopher best known for his poem The Divine Comedy, is depicted on your bust. He lived from 1265 to 1321. It probably dates to the last quarter of the 19th century or possibly the early 20th century, based on your photos, and is made of marble and alabaster. It is most likely Italian in origin, and at the time, these kinds of sculptures were quite popular souvenirs from trips throughout Europe. You make no indication of a signature, and unsigned pieces of this type are not unusual. Even though these pieces are still collected today, their popularity peaked in the first ten years of the twenty-first century. A sculpture of this kind may get between $300 and $500 at auction. Such a work, if in good, undamaged condition, may fetch $1,200 to $1,800 from a dealer in 19th-century European antiques.
North-West Mountie child s costume
This North-West Mountie ensemble was created between 1935 and 1945.Thanks to the collector
This is what my dad wore as a young boy. His birth year was 1937. I wonder if it would have any value. Portland, A.Z.
Your North-West Mountie costume was worn between 1935 and 1945. I was unable to pinpoint the uniform’s exact manufacturer. Wyandotte Toys of Wyandotte, Michigan, produced the Mountie leather holster and belt, while Marx manufactured the pressed tin toy Military Model.45. They are also from around 1937–1940. Lately, comparable toy revolvers have been priced between $35 and $55. Comparable Wyandotte Mountie pistol belts with holsters have also brought between $35 and $55 at auction. You can anticipate an auction estimate of $100 to $150 for such a complete set. A vintage toy trader would charge $150 to $250 for a complete set in what looks to be in good shape.
Bohemian fraternal membership ribbon
Membership in the Western Bohemian Catholic Union (Zapadni Cesko Bratrska Jednota) is indicated by this ribbon.Thanks to the collector
This pin was discovered in a box of items belonging to my grandparents. I don’t know what this pin is for, but they homesteaded close to Deweese, Nebraska. What can you tell me about it? It measures three inches by nine inches. Portland, J.L.
The Western Bohemian Catholic Union (Zapadni Cesko Bratrska Jednota), a fraternal Czech organization founded on September 29, 1898, in Omaha, Nebraska, and encompassing the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, is represented by your ribbon. The lodge in Deweese, Nebraska, which was established on January 1, 1913, was the particular location for your pin (Zalo ena 1. Ledna, 1913). Such pins are rare, although an auction estimate may be as low as $10 to $20. For similar pins in such good shape, dealers who specialize in antique fraternal pins may charge between $50 and $150.
Fish scale kerosene lamp
This pressed glass kerosene lamp was made between 1890 and 1910.Thanks to the collector
My great-grandparents in Wyoming owned this light. P& is written on the knob. Can you tell me anything about it or what it might be worth? It stands eight inches tall. C.H., Mulino.
Your kerosene lamp dates to circa 1890-1910 and is of pressed glass. While I was not able to identify the exact maker, it is American and is known by collectors as a fish scale pattern lamp. Sometimes collectors refer to this as a wedding lamp, as it has two finger holes for carrying it. Examples can be found in both clear glass and a number of colors including the amber color of yours. The brass burner was made by Plume & Atwood of Waterbury, Connecticut, and these types of burners would have been used on a wide variety of lamps. At auction, you might see an estimate of $30-$50 for such a lamp. In excellent condition, a dealer in antique lamps might ask $60-$90 a lamp of this pattern.
About Today s Collectibles
The values discussed for items featured in this column were researched by Portland appraiserJerry L. Dobesh, ASA, an Accredited Senior Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers, with a specialty designation in Antiques & Decorative Arts. His services include providing appraisals for estate tax, charitable contribution, insurance scheduling and loss, and equitable distribution needs.
To find an appraiser, contact theAmerican Society of Appraisers, theInternational Society of Appraisers, or theAppraisers Association of America. Estimates suggested in this Collectibles column are for general information purposes only and cannot be used as a basis for sale, insurance, or IRS purposes.
To have items considered for inclusion in future columns, please send us your high-quality images, preferably at least 300 dpi, 1Mb in size and in jpeg format. Photos must show each object in its entirety and must be clearly focused and well lighted to show detail. If there are any maker s marks, please include an image of those. Include measurements and information about the condition of the piece.
Send to:[email protected] mail to:
Today s Collectibles/Homes & Gardens The Oregonian 1500 SW First Ave., Suite 500 Portland, OR 97201
Please include your name and town, along with contact information; phone number or email address. Contact information will not be published. The Oregonian will retain usage rights of the photographs
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
