Three pinback Tolkien/Hobbit buttons. Bought at a yardsale and couldn't find much info on the internet. I was wondering how old they are and if they're worth anything. Thanks.p
I really do not know much about this item. It was found in the eves of an attic in a house in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, alongside a 1940's Plastic purse. The house was built in 1906 and had mainly German and Polish settlers in the area. I honestly don't know what the item is. It is too big to be a bracelet or an ankelet. It is too small to be a neckelace. The item appears to have handmade quality. The item is about 8 and a half inches long. Is silver. Has the markings B I or B 1 S S on it and two stamped swastika symbols on either side. The right swastika is off-centered. There is a little jingle piece on it.
Rocking Horse with Leather saddle, metal stirrups (now rusted) and black horse hair tail. One of the stirrups has broken at the upper part of the leather. It could also be known as a carousel horse as it does have a red post like a carousel. The eyes are glass. It looks to be original paint, etc. with no modifications or restoration.
This table still has the affixed manufacturer's label that reads: "The Cabinet Shops Grand Rapids Michigan" and an oval-shaped logo with the letter "S" inside of it.
All I could find out about the company was its years of business apparently ranged from 1922 (?) to 1928. It's successors were another company called Buiten & Shank (1928-1932).
The wood appears to be either mahogany or walnut. I don't know how to distinguish between the two, but I am fairly certain it is one of the two.
As you can see, the carvings are unique, especially the center part on the frieze part of the table. There seems to be 3 complimentary styles of carvings. There are no carved areas on the back of the table.
On the tabletop there are small round "holes" or "dots" drilled (?) into the surface forming a pattern in the center of the table and also running parallel to and around the table's edge.
The measurements are: 30" tall, 20" deep, 36" to 60" wide depending on the position of the drop leaf(s)
It is in very good condition with minor surface scratches and some areas where the finish has been rubbed thin. It polishes up nicely with a nice shine to it, and there are no nicks or scratches to the carved areas: they just need a good cleaning. No major refinishing work needs to be done for someone who would want it to have a "new" look.
I have a two piece set of painted porcelain sculptures that depict small black children emerging from eggs surrounded by a couple of cartoon-like frog characters.
They have been in my grandmother's house for over 40 years and in the family for at least 57 years. I have no idea how old they truely are but they definitely belong to different age of social sensibility. I hope nobody is offended by them or the title I gave them, it is what it is I guess. LOL I could find no markings on them identifying the manufacturer or dating them. Two "experts" have come by the house over the years scavenging as they seem to do in some of the retirement communities here in Florida. Niether of them could offer any insight but rated them as in "Mint" condition and offered money on the spot. ($40 and $200) This only spiked my grandmother's curiosity and I've joked about them over the years but this is the first time I've saught appraisal. I would like to understand more about them, where they came from and how much they are worth. The piecses have some humorus sentimental value to the family and I vowed that if they were passed to me I'd never sell them. However, they're not mine to keep and I was told today She would part with them if they would fetch a nice price. Feel free to let me know if you have any interest in them or who would and I will connect you. Thanks, Jerome
