Posted 13 years ago
Lithaskye
(6 items)
About 25 years ago my Aunt gave me this vase. She told me it was an antique. Her entire apartment was filled with antiques that belonged to her parents and to her when she was young. At the time she gave me this vase she was about 85. I cannot find any markings on this vase and would like to find out who made it. It is 10" tall. There is a crane design on each side. I don't even know it's worth, if any. Would anyone know anything about this vase?
I would suggest that you have this vase looked at closely by a reputable antique dealer close to you. Without seeing the piece in person I can't say for sure, but to me it looks like it may be an older piece of Lalique. Lalique pieces can fetch several thousand dollars. I don't mean to get your hopes and I am not an expert in Lalique - just want to let you know you may have a valuable piece.
That's so interesting! I was looking at antique vases on ebay and I came to the conclusion that the vase looks the most like Lalique. I am going to take your advice and bring it to a big antique dealer that I know of in the Poconos. Thank you.
Hi Lithaskye, would love to know how you make out with the vase!
I showed it to an antique dealer and it is only worth about $40.00. Not Lalique at all. I will still use it for my flowers.
I take it that this "antique dealer" valued your vase at $40, yet didn't know who made it or what the design may have been called.
I am always leary of antique dealers I would go to another . Many hang a sign and have limited knowledge in several things and no expertise in any one area . I have seen antique dealers call a fake real and a real item fake . I would look for one that specializes in glassware not general items. And they are terrible at Identifying dolls . Just caught one at big name auction house that misrepresented a mannequin and basically was a tradgedy for person who bought it and wayyy over paid . Love your vase !
They did not know who made it or what the design was. They are a large antique dealer in Pennsylvania and sell a lot of glassware. Maybe I will try somewhere else just to be sure.
I would definitely take Manikin's advice Lithaskye! How could this "dealer" possibly give you a value when he/she didn't even know who the maker was or what the pattern is? He/she has just pulled a number out of a hat and that is not ethical. I am an antique dealer and an accredited appraiser and I would NEVER give a value on an item without the proper knowledge (including make and pattern, age, history of item, among other things - they all play a part in the value). No antique appraiser, no matter what they say, can be an expert in everything...there are just too many different things out there and too many variables. While I don't profess to be an expert in any area in particular, there are some areas I am much more knowledgeable about and that comes with time and experience. When I do an appraisal I do the research needed to get an accurate value - and I keep the data to back up my evaluation. Any legitimate appraiser will do this. If you don't want to pay to have a bit of research done on it, I suggest you take it to a dealer who can tell you who the maker was and the pattern name if possible - don't even bother asking for a value at this point. Then do a bit of research on your own to see if you can find out more about it. Depending on what you find you can decide then if it warrants a formal appraisal or not. HTH :-)
I would ask for a reference; many recognized 'unknowns' where the maker and pattern are not known often have some kind of references.
What everyone is saying makes a lot of sense. I have re-marked this vase as an unsolved mystery. I will see if I can get another appraisal. Thank you!!