Hello from Ohio. I have included several pictures of a cabinet I have in storage. This item measures approximately 70 inches tall by 56 inches wide by 16 inches deep and has beveled glass, eight legs that are claw and foot, three shelves, and eight drawers. It is beautiful and solid.
My question is, what is the cabinet called (proper name), its age and worth? Any idea who made this item? Thanks and please check out the pictures I have included.
You have a handsome piece of furniture. Some appraisers and antique dealers would call this a china cabinet, but I think the proper name is a bookcase. Bookcases usually had doors to protect the books from the dirt of the street and the household grime from fireplaces and coal-fired heating systems. Before air conditioning, windows were open most of the year and a lot of insects and dirt came through the openings.
The owner of this piece was middle or upper class and probably owned more than a few books. The owner could have also placed items other than books on the shelves, perhaps decorative bookends or some type of ceramic object.
Your bookcase was made around the turn of the century, circa 1900, or a little later. The arched pediment and ball and claw feet at the end of cabriole legs indicate a return to the Chippendale-style furniture in use before the American Revolution. With the Centennial celebration of 1876, there was a return to the styles popular around the first 25 years of America’s founding.
I notice from details in your photographs the use of mortise and tenon drawer construction. The maker also used wood pins to strengthen the joint. This is a sign of a well-made piece of furniture.
The feature dating your cabinet in the 20th century rather than the 18th century is the carving. It is shallow and stiff and indicates machine carving.
There are other ways to tell the age of furniture, but it is not possible to see criteria such as circular saw marks in these photographs.
Unless the bookcase is labeled in a drawer or on the back, it is impossible to know who made it. It is likely it was made in one of the furniture centers such as New York or Michigan. If you want to sell it, you might get $1,200 to $1,500 in the Midwest region in a good auction.
My mother bought this necklace in an estate sale about 25 years ago in Michigan. It was black and she spent hours cleaning it with silver polish. I know it is Indian-made and I was told it is Navaho. It is not marked in any way. I was wondering how valuable it is. Mother said she paid $10 for it back then.
You have a Navaho silver and turquoise squash blossom necklace. From the photograph, it looks like the turquoise are of a good quality and the silver flowers appear to be well made.
Having the maker’s signature would add value so check on the ends for initials. Sometimes you will also find a 925 which is a mark for sterling silver.
About 30 years ago a signed necklace like this would sell for $1,200. Then there was a period when they were only popular in the West. The market for good Navaho jewelry has been rising in the last few years. Your necklace can be valued at $500 to $750.
Julie McClure, who has 30 years of experience in the appraisal business, is a member of the Appraisers Association of America. Send queries and photographs via e-mail to McClurescolumn@AOL.com. Please include the measurements of a piece and a phone number.
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