Central Kentucky Antiques and Collectibles

Copyright 2010 – Kimberly Clay

In a recent article appearing on the website WalletPop, author Zac Bissonnette bemoans the downfall of Hummel Figurines as attractive and popular collectible items. It seems that the adorable figurines, first collected in the 1930′s by GIs overseas in Germany for family and friends at home, have lost their desirability among collectors.

Bissonnette sites renowned antiques and collectibles aficionado Terry Kovel as stating that the value of the once highly-sought-after Hummel pieces has for all intents and purposes landed in the toilet. She attributes the downfall, at least in great part, to the Goebel company’s desire to artificially create and enhance the secondary market for the collectibles when they began to manufacture “limited edition” Hummel pieces during the 1970′s and 1980′s.

Now it seems, not only are everyday people not collecting Hummels (at least at the rates and higher prices they have in years past), but the collectors aren’t buying either. As a result, the value of the pieces has plummeted, leaving them worth a mere fraction of their previous values.

That’s one reason why it’s always smart to collect what you like rather than to collect strictly for investment. Markets can be fickle and highly susceptible to change; and those changes may not result in your financial favor.

So, if you like really cutesy boys and girls dressed in outfits from years ago, now might be the best time to buy Hummel figurines or keep those you’ve found stashed away in Grandma’s closet.

But if you’re looking for somewhere to put all your hard-earned investment dollars, you’d be well-advised to look somewhere else. And give grandma’s cherished box of Hummels to some deserving boy or girl who will appreciate them.

Copyright 2010 – Kimberly Clay

Antiques price guides have always been an important tool for antique dealers and collectors alike.

With the internet taking front and center stage in offering the most current information, antiques price guides can now offer up-to-the-minute information to help you identify and value your treasure. But how do you make the most of price guides to help you price or value your antique?

1. Use the correct antiques price guide

Make sure the antiques price guide you are using is appropriate for your piece. While general price guides for antiques are helpful in identifying some items, many areas of collecting offer specific price guides, such as:

• Hummel price guides;
• Depression glass price guides;
• Quilt pattern identification and price guides;
• Primitive antique price guides; and
• Antique silver price guides.

Identify the type of antique, such as glassware, porcelain, furniture or collectible; and use the most specific antiques price guide you can find.

2. View pictures carefully

It can be difficult for the novice or beginner collector to find the correct terms to even start them on their way to searching on the internet. Sometimes pictures are worth a thousand words, they can help not only in valuing your antique, but in finding the right terminology to help you describe it.

Antiques price guides offer hundreds of photographs, so they can be a good starting point for your search. Google images is another starting point in identifying antiques and is the best bet when you’re not quite sure what it is that you have.

3. Compare apples to apples

While that antiques price guide may say that a Limoges punch bowl is worth $3,500, it doesn’t necessarily mean that YOUR Limoges punch bowl is worth that much.

Factors that can affect values in antiques price guides include condition, size, maker, decoration and rarity. All those items together make up the value of an antique, and it can mean your cracked Limoges bowl decorated by an amateur artist may be only worth $50.

Using antiques price guides is just one step in determining the value of your antique. While the guides may tell you that your grandmother’s handmade quilt is worth only $25, its value to you and your family’s history – priceless.

Copyright 2010 – -Kimberly Clay

Occupied Japan collectibles are not only an important part of World history, they’re cute and affordable – not to mention fun to collect. After World War II, Japan was held under occupation of the United States. They were forced to mark their exported wares with “Made in Occupied Japan” or “Occupied Japan” during this time period, which dated from 1945 through 1952.

While most of the exports during this time were decorative bisque and porcelain, the mark can be found on other exported wares as well. Occupied Japan collectors, sometimes abbreviated to OJ collectors, normally focus on a more specific area to really hone in on the best for their collections.

Occupied Japan Figurines

Many Occupied Japan collections focus solely on the bisque and porcelain figurines that were heavily imported during this time period. While some were very crudely modeled after the delicate German Dresden porcelain figurines of the early 20th Century, others were quite nicely decorated.

Occupied Japan figurines are still affordable and not too difficult to find. Smaller figurines can cost under $10, while the larger, better made examples are worth from $25 – $250. Look for finely decorated figures with no condition issues and those that are clearly marked “Occupied Japan”.

Occupied Japan Dishes

Many dishes were imported during this time, and collectors normally focus on the more decorative and whimsical pieces, rather than sets of dishes. Ashtrays, cup and saucer sets, ewers and vases are popular with Occupied Japan collectors. Again, look for well decorated pieces in good condition. They can often be found for under $45.

Occupied Japan Toby Jugs

Toby jugs are small jugs or pitchers that are normally in the form of a seated person. Toby jugs were quite popular in England in the early 20th Century. Occupied Japan Toby jugs are modeled after their English counterparts and range in size from miniature ½ inch examples to large 8 inch examples. Prices range from $5 to $100, so they can still be an affordable Occupied Japan collectible.

Occupied Japan pieces are affordable and fun to collect. They make sweet displays and are still fairly easy to find, although it seems to be getting more difficult to find pieces in perfect condition with no flaws. If you’re considering investing in Occupied Japan collectibles, buy the best you can afford once you learn the basics of collecting. The finer Occupied Japan pieces that are more rare and difficult to find are the pieces that will go up in value as they become more scarce.

Copyright 2010 – Kimberly Clay

Kentucky antiques – what do they bring to mind? Horseracing memorabilia, great old farm implements repurposed for home décor or some good old fashioned Kitchenalia to add a touch of warmth to the kitchen… Well, Kentucky antiques are all those and then some. Popular Kentucky antiques and collectibles to keep an eye out for in the rolling hills of the Bluegrass State are:

Furniture

Kentucky antique furniture boasts some stunning handmade pieces from the 19th Century. In particular, look for quality cherry wood pieces with inlay. For less formal décor, country furniture in old and original paint is plentiful and affordable, often costing less than new furniture!

Kentucky is quite well known for its Shaker Furniture. The Shakers were a religious community established in the 1800′s in Kentucky that flourished for more than 60 years. They lived a peaceful, communal life, and their furniture craftsmanship is second to none! Clean, simple and functional design reflective of the Shaker way of life, is especially attractive to collectors and design enthusiasts.

Fun old farm pieces that have been repurposed make affordable furnishings with history, charm and a touch of whimsy. Our favorite finds are an old chicken coop made into a coffee table and an antique cobbler’s bench as a side table.

Primitives

Some of the best early primitives in the country can be found in Kentucky. Look for early 20th Century farm and kitchen implements to display in your kitchen, dining room or living room. Some of the favorite Kentucky primitives are:

• Firkins – old wooden sugar buckets;
• Butter molds – carved wood ‘stamps’ in various motifs;
• Yellowware – old mixing bowls with a yellow glaze with various bands of colors.
• Dough bowls – large carved wood bowls that make the perfect centerpiece in a dining room or kitchen

Silver

While sterling silver mint julep cups would seem to be in order for antique Kentucky silver, coin silver from the early 19th Century is also in high demand. Silversmiths who worked in the Tennessee, Indiana and Kentucky areas during this timeframe include:

• Benjamin McKenny Riggs who worked in Paris, Kentucky from 1825 – 1839;
• Garner & Winchester of Lexington, Kentucky from 1845 – 1850;
• Asa Blanchard, Lexington, KY, circa 1825-30; and
• Clark & Hinton, Paris, KY, circa 1855.

Concentrating on a particular maker for Kentucky coin or antique silver will help focus your collection so you can invest in quality pieces. Coin silver teaspoons make a good starting point for a collection, while serving pieces can be more difficult to find and more expensive.

Quilts

Kentucky antique quilts are some of the best antique textiles on the market. Early 20th Century examples can still be found in affordable prices. Look for quilts that are in good condition without tears or stains and look closely at the stitching. Tight, hand stitched blocks and seams indicate quality, and the more intricate the patterns, generally the higher the price tag.

Kentucky antiques offer a good, old-fashioned dose of Americana at its best. While antiques can make a sound investment when you buy quality pieces, investing in items that you’ll cherish is the best pay off!

To find great Kentucky antiques, visit:

Loch Lea Antiques, Paris, KY

Nettie Jarvis Antiques, Bloomfield, KY

Copyright 2010 – Kimberly Clay

Gerald Peters Gallery

On Saturday, January 17th, in preparation for the Winter Antiques Show in New York, a vase, “Urn”, by American sculptor Paul Manship (best known for his work “Prometheus” that towers over Rockefeller Center’s skating rink), was moved into a city armory.

The vase, made of pink Tennessee marble and measuring 9 feet in height, weighs a whopping 14,000 pounds (the equivalent of about 4 mid-sized cars) and was originally commissioned by William Mather, an Ohio industrialist, for display on his estate in 1914.

The antique show, now a well-established tradition, has become New York’s pre-eminate show for antiques and fine art. It is also a fundraiser benefiting the East Side House Settlement, an organization serving one of New York’s poorest neighborhoods.

The 56th Annual Winter Antiques Show is scheduled from January 22 – January 31, 2010.