Central Kentucky Antiques and Collectibles

Copyright 2010 – Kimberly Clay

In the hope that Spring will be here soon, I finally got out and on the road this weekend. I had an opportunity to visit Goss Avenue Antiques & Interiors, touted as Louisville’s largest antique mall, and located in a fantastic 120 year old historic cotton mill building on the southeast side of Louisville.

The business is under new ownership and in November 2009, its exhibit space was expanded by 15,000 square feet to include some 75,000 square feet total (Ladies, bring your walking shoes!).

When I visit someplace new and peruse the merchandise, I invariably look for out-of-the-ordinary items; things that make a new place stand out from other shops. And among the regular items of merchandise I found here – antique furniture, lamps, china, vintage clothing, rugs, silverware, antique and vintage glassware and the like, I found more than a few items of exception; a horsehair desk and chest, a museum-quality 19th century canopy bed, and a dresser purportedly from the home of “Devil Anse” Hatfield. Now those are not your run-of-the-mill items. And there was much, much more to see.

It is difficult for me to express the variety and selection of merchandise available at Goss Avenue; you really have to visit and experience it for yourself. However, from fabrics to furniture and jars to jewelry, I would arguably characterize it as the ultimate happy hunting ground for antiquers and collectors, and an interior decorator’s “dream come true”.

Last but not least, on the day that I visited when there were quite a number of shoppers in the antique mall, there seemed to be plenty courteous staff members available to assist customers with their purchases and to answer any questions.

If you do decide to visit, a word of caution; plan to spend at least a couple hours for your trip. It will take at least that long to browse through the many booths available to find what you want, or to let something find you. And as an added treat while you’re shopping, you may just want to take a break at Olivia’s inside the mall for a scrumptious lunch, then resume your antiques adventures.

If you go:

Goss Avenue Antiques & Interiors
946 Goss Avenue
Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 637 – 4878
Email: info@gossantiques.com

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 2009 – Kimberly Clay

How old and how much are typically the questions most often asked regarding antiques, particularly with family heirlooms or that set of antique china dishes that you inherited.

While the “What’s it worth?” question takes a little more time and information to answer, the “How old is it?” question is much easier for a novice antique collector to determine.

Antique China Marks
The beauty of antique porcelain and china is in the fact that it is marked with clues. If you turn over nearly any piece of china or porcelain and view the back, there’s normally both a maker’s mark and a country of origin mark. It’s the country of origin mark that offers the information that helps you date your antique dishes.

In 1891, there was a law passed in the United States called the McKinley Tariff Act. It stated that each item imported into the US needed to be marked with the country of origin. It is with this information that we can determine that antique dishes with no country of origin mark normally date to pre-1891. There’s one hitch to this dating system, paper and foil labels with the country of origin which may have been removed were used in the 20th Century. So look for little outlines that may indicate a missing label as well.

Early 20th Century China Marks
Between 1891 and 1921, countries marked their porcelain with just the name of the country. Japan in particular is known for porcelain produced during this timeframe, as they used “Nippon”, which means “Japan” on their wares. Nippon porcelain made during this era has become extremely popular with collectors.

If your antique dishes have only a country name stamped on the back, without the words “Made In”, it is safe to assume that it was made between 1891 and 1921. Japan began using “Japan” rather than Nippon on porcelain and china during the 1920’s into the 1940’s, when they began using the “Made in Occupied Japan’ during World War II. This is yet another popularly collected Japanese import, but certainly not the quality of the earlier Nippon porcelain.

Mid 1920-‘s to Modern China Marks
Porcelain and dishes made from the 1920’s and later will typically be stamped “Made in” before the country of origin. There are several other clues that can help in dating the dishes made during this time, and they also relate to the words found on the back of each piece:

• “U.S. Patent” was used after 1900;

• “U.S. Zone” or “U.S. Zone Germany” was used between 1945-1949;

• “West Germany” was used between 1949-1990;

• “Dishwasher Safe” was added to some dishes after 1955;

• “East Germany” was used between 1949-1990;

• “Incorporated” was typically used on pieces produced during or after the 1940’s.

While this information should certainly help you date your heirloom dishes and porcelain, valuing them is another point entirely. Old doesn’t always equal valuable in antiques. But when old means a set of dishes has passed from generation to generation within your family, that makes them priceless and an heirloom to be cherished.

Copyright 2009 – Kimberly Clay

If you’d like to give a Christmas gift that is truly memorable this season, you may like to give your loved ones a relic from the past that will continually bring them joy in the future.

Even as time moves forward, we cherish our history, and many of us like to keep a few relics for sentimental, nostalgic, and even aesthetic reasons. If you’d really like to generate special moments when you open gifts Christmas morning, here are the three top antique gifts to give this Christmas season:

1. Glassware or china. Remember your grandmother’s giant collection of delicate china? Whether young or old, a finely crafted set of china adds a sense of elegance and nostalgia to any home. And if you’re feeling especially generous, you may consider adding an antique cabinet in which to display the china; this will not only add new flair to the décor of the recipient, but will make the process more convenient.
2. Jewelry. Antique and vintage jewelry are timeless gifts for women of all ages, and are increasing in popularity with each passing year. Whether you gift-wrap a studded necklace, locket, brooch, bracelet or pendant, you will be passing on an expression of timeless beauty in heirloom quality. The piece of jewelry you give may also be a reflection of culture, whether it be from the Victorian era, of Oriental origin or even an example of Native American artistry.
3. Antique dolls. If there was ever one single gift that has been deeply loved through the centuries, it would be the doll. Dolls in all forms, from porcelain to cornhusk and cotton to resin, have been treasured by girls and women of all ages. A porcelain doll adds a certain intricate beauty to any room, with elaborate Victorian dresses and carefully curled hair. Such details can only be crafted by one who has put a lot of time and love into it, and you’ll be passing on a unique and beautiful example of artistry and craftsmanship.

So as you consider your shopping options, think about giving a gift this year the value of which is beyond monetary; a gift that will be enjoyed and treasured for years to come.