POUNDWISE Padrayla Holdsworth answers readers’ letters Nov/Dec 02

Dear P.H. Contact Christie’s: Mallika Sagar. (based in I am an antique collector and an investor. I Mumbai) Tel: 22 498 5519 Fax: 22 498 2155 possess two Chinese vases. One belongs to Email: [email protected] the Ming period, I hope, and the other I do Yours P.H. not know. I would be very grateful if you could give me some information about Dear P.H. them. The blue and white one measures Can you please help me identify this small 32cm in height and has a crack just visible, metal bottle or flask and its use. It appears but on the outside only. The other is 31cm to be made of metal, perhaps pewter. It has tall and painted under glaze with orange a metal stopper with a ‘Bodkin’ attached by lotus and orange rose type flowers with a chain and it measures a total of 3 inches in dark blue leaves. Is there any possibility for height. Any information would be greatly me to put then into auction, either on the appreciated. internet or by live auction. Thanks, L.C. Yours faithfully, S.C. Pondicherry, India Dear L.C. Your item is a perfume bottle, made of low Dear S.C. grade silver, with decoration in the form of a It is very difficult to appraise Chinese pattern applied using soldered thin filigree porcelain from photographs. There is a wires. It originates from the Northern possibility that the blue and white jar is late China/Tibet area. Ming, but it could easily have been made Yours P.H. considerably later than this. The solidity of Finding a new home for this Chinese jar is no colour suggests a later date to me. Someone Dear P.H. picnic for the owner from Pondicherry. would have to see the piece in reality and not I have acquired an early Victorian writing just from a photograph to be really sure. The slope and am wanting to find out more most likely date is second half of the about writing slopes e.g. different nineteenth century. The other jar is in the styles/periods etc. Could you kindly Japanese Imari style of the early eighteenth recommend any books, websites etc. century, but may well be Chinese too, as the Yours sincerely, K.M. Newton Abbot Chinese did their own versions. I do not think that offering these pieces for sale on Dear K.M. the internet would be advisable. Potential I am not aware of any books specifically on buyers must be able to examine them this. However there is a good website: properly in order for you to obtain the best www.hygra.com covering the subject. The price. I think you should contact the writers are producing a book on ‘Antique Christie’s representative in India and send Boxes and Tea Caddies’ for publication this the photographs for further advice. The year by Schiffer Books, U.S.A. Christie’s representative can make a decision For more information email: on a sensible course of action bearing in [email protected] or contact: Antique mind the home market in India. Clearly Boxes, at the Sign of the Hygra, 2 Middleton A mystery container turns out to be a silver India has some auction houses which handle Road, London E8 4B. Tel: 020 7254 7074 perfume flask from the north China/Tibet antiques, but which may be dealing in the Fax: 0 870 125 7669. area. main with more routine and less specialised Yours P.H. wares than your pieces. Also the current unstable international situation does not look Dear P.H. conducive to disposing of items at a I have a 1973 Annual, (white favourable price in India. It is highly likely face on cover) and have been told it is of that the vases will not be of sufficient value to some value. It is in very good condition warrant transporting elsewhere (Hong Kong with only slight discolouration on the edges. for example) for sale. I imagine items would It has been in the attic for the past twenty have to be worth perhaps £2,000 or more years among Rupert Bear annuals 1969- each to warrant this, and I doubt whether 1976. What is an approximate value I could yours will be in this league, especially expect? What would be the best way to sell bearing in mind the crack in the blue and it: as a single or as a collection? Where white one. One course of action you could would be the best place? Perhaps you could consider is selling them through an antique advise me. Any help would be gratefully Learning about writing slopes like this one shop on commission. I am sorry I cannot be appreciated. will be easier once a new book is published. more encouraging. Yours faithfully, D.L. Kettering Dear D.L. replacement leaves. I took your advice and I am afraid you have been misinformed on contacted Grantham Workshops in this one. In 1935 Alfred Bestall took over Kettering who dismantled the table and producing the Rupert comic strip from its started the search for suitable timber. original creator . He continued During the timber restoration it was found until 1973 when he took extreme umbrage that the screw mechanism had also been over a decision by the Chairman of the Daily shortened. Being impossible to repair, a Express to give Rupert a white face on the new screw had to be purchased. Following cover of the 1973 Annual. Alfred resigned lengthy discussions with Peter Grantham and refused to do any more Ruperts. The we agreed to two leaves which would give a readers backed him up, and so in 1974 the fully open table of approximately 100in annual shows Rupert with the usual brown being ample for my needs. I was invited to face again. Alfred returned to his job, inspect the table at all stages of restoration working until 1980. A number of brown faced which proved very useful and interesting 1973 annuals were produced as proof copies. for someone who is not involved in the There is considerable debate as to how rare antique business. The total project costs, these are and how much they should be including two leaves, complete carriage worth, but some have changed hands for four assemblies and screw was £1,400. Thank figure sums. The white faced annuals you for your advice and assistance in usually retail for between £5 and £15 each. finding a reputable restorer. It has been a At this level, yours may as well stay with you, very worthwhile project as I now have my I think. It would probably only be worth the uncle’s table in first class condition and trouble if you were to sell your group of ready to use. White faced Rupert looks like an exciting annuals. Assuming it is in good order, 1969 Kind regards, M.P. Kettering rarity, but is not, being standard issue for is popular with collectors and might fetch as 1973. much as £10 at auction, bumping up a Dear M.P. possible total for the lot to £30-£40. I think I am glad that the restoration of your dining a local antique auction, rather than a table is a success, and that the whole process specialised book auction, would be appro- has been such a rewarding experience. priate and less troublesome than the other Thank you for sharing it with us and letting alternatives. (Some addresses have been sent us see the photographs. to you) Yours P.H. Yours P.H. Dear P.H. Dear P.H. Do you have any information on Leighton I’ve been reading about the design on some Ward, a watercolour artist c1900, possibly early Chinese export porcelain and on with a military connection? Dutch delft. Can you tell me the name Yours A.R. Warwick which is used for the tall ladies seen on some of the pots. I am told that it is a Dear A.R. A subscriber from Kettering watched every corruption of the words for ‘tall maidens’ in I am afraid I can find no trace of this artist. aspect of the restoration of his late uncle’s Dutch. We shall publish your letter in the hope a table with fascination. Here we see it half Thank you very much, G.L. Colchester reader can cast some light on the subject. way through. Yours P.H. Dear G.L. The term you are looking for is ‘Long Dear P.H. Elizas’, a corruption of the Dutch ‘lange I have recently acquired a Lloyd Loom lijzen’. These figures also appear on early chair/commode which requires the English porcelain from Worcester and other paintwork touching up, with the appro- factories, but it is not known when the term priate colour match. Please can you give first came to be used. me the firm’s address. Yours P.H. Yours faithfully, T.W. Selby

Dear P.H. Dear T.W. In the July/August 2001 issue you were kind Here are the details you require: enough to include my letter and Lloyd Loom of Spalding Ltd. Warden Tree photographs of a mahogany dining table Lane, Pinchbeck, Spalding, Lincs PE11 3SY. that I had recently inherited but was unfor- Tel: 01775 712111 Fax: 01775 710571. The final finished table was well worth the tunately in need of restoration and Yours P.H. effort and cost. Dear P.H. Dear T.B. I have a porcelain 9 inch tall pitcher with I have consulted the V&A with regards to two portraits on it of King Edward V11 and translating Chinese script on snuff bottles Queen Alexandra and it is dated ‘June 26th, etc. Their reply is as follows: The V&A offers 1902’! I have photos on a disk but this ‘ol an Opinions Service on the first Tuesday of gal’ has never sent one email before! I have each month where members of the public can been trying to send it to you all mornin! I bring in items for identification. The Asian almost lost me!! So it is cockeyed, but at Department consists of the Far Eastern least it gives you an idea of what the pitcher Section which covers items from China, looks like! My grandmother brought it here Japan and Korea, the Indian Section deals to the USA with her. I am going to sell it! If with Indian and South-east Asian items and you know of anyone who would want to there is also a newly created Middle-eastern purchase this or might be interested, please section. Chinese objects are seen in the Far have them get in touch! It is in perfect Eastern offices between 2.30 - 5pm. The condition!! Like new! Has been packed curators of Chinese art should be able to The owner of this saki cup has drawn a blank away for most of those ‘100’ years! decipher any such calligraphy. as to its maker despite widespread research. Yours J.N. Massachusetts, U.S.A. It is always advisable for anyone coming into the Museum to ring prior to their visit to Dear J.N. ensure the relevant curators will be there to We got the picture ‘ol gal’. Congratulations, see them on the Opinions afternoon as you have mastered email, and thank you for occasionally they do have commitments such an interesting letter! In the U.K. we outside the Museum. Opinions can also be would call this item a jug because at 9 inches offered in writing if clear photographs are it is nowhere near big enough here to be sent with the request by post or via email. A called a pitcher. We have sent you the email service is also offered at the British Museum, addresses of three U.K. dealers in royal but you will need to contact them for details. commemoratives who may be interested. We Items can also be taken to the large auction hope you can conclude a successful sale. houses who deal with Chinese art. Yours P.H. Yours sincerely, Liz Wilkinson, Assistant Curator, Far Eastern Section, Asian Dear P.H. Department V&A Museum. Tel: 020 7942 I have a saki drinking cup that I am desper- 2254. Email: [email protected] ately trying to find out more about. I have Yours P.H. None of the auction houses approached could looked through numerous Lyle and Miller’s unravel the mystery. guides and have also taken it to several Dear P.H. auction houses, and even enquired of I am fascinated with the thought of being Sotheby’s. I would like to know who made able to mend pottery and porcelain objects. it, where it is from and does it have any Please can you tell me where I can learn the value. The potter’s mark on the base skills. I would also like to know if there are resembles a Chinaman with a panda at his any drawing and painting courses for feet if you look at it with an open mind. novices near me. I live in Bath but would Could you help me in my search to find out? travel up to 30 mile radius. Yours sincerely, Yours faithfully, R.C. Bath S.K. Windsor Dear R.C. Dear S.K. For drawing and painting courses suitable The reason why the mark rings no bells with for novices in your area, consult your local people could be because it is likely to be fairly reference library: 19-23 The Podium, Bath modern. As we have exhausted all of our BA1 5AN. It is possible that there is a lines of enquiry we shall print your letter in ceramic repair course available in your area, the hope one of our readers can cast some but if there is one, it is not advertised light on the subject. nationally. Again your reference library will Yours P.H. be able to advise you. The following are contact numbers for ceramic repairing Dear P.H. courses outside your area: Suzanne Smith, Can you tell me of anyone in the UK who Brighton. Tel: 01273 675485. Roger will translate calligraphy on Chinese snuff- Hawkins, Newark. Tel: 01636 636666. Does this mark which is on the base of the bottles and other Chinese items? Hatfield: 0208 3671786. Email: cup ring any bells with readers? Yours sincerely, T.B. Rickmansworth [email protected] Yours P.H. One lucky subscriber found an interesting (something small in a bad area admittedly) letter among a job lot of books purchased at or you could have invested the money in a auction approximately twenty years ago. The gouache local view by Cornish artist, John You never know what you may find when you letter was from General Gordon (later of Baragwanath King (1864-1939). The family buy a job lot of old books. One subscriber Khartoum) to a friend, a pensioner by the of one subscriber did the latter. Between was particularly lucky in finding this histori- name of Carter. It was dated Sevastapol Sept 1903 and 1914 Baragwaneth King exhibited cally important letter from Gordon (later of 8. 1872 & Galatz Oct 4 1872. The letter both in London, (48 times at The Baillie Khartoum). elaborated on the state of things at the Gallery and once at The Royal Institute of Crimea, with comment on the lack of Painters in Watercolours) and also in Paris. progress apart from the construction of a 30 gns was certainly not unusually high for railway and disappointment at the poor state the work of artists showing at The Baillie of the Russian troops. Gordon visited the Gallery. This unfortunately bears no graves of his dead colleagues while there. He relationship to the price his work fetches then journeyed to Constantinople, which nowadays. I would expect a retail value of reminded him more of London than no more than about £300-£400 for this anywhere else on account of the size of picture. Recent auction estimates for his population and level of bustle. Gordon work have tended to be in the £80-£120 range promised to visit Carter and urged him to mostly, which shows that he is nowhere near cheer up. as fashionable as he was in 1906! The owner has done some research which shows Carter to be a Gravesend pensioner, Also on close examination rather disap- whom Gordon supported throughout his life. pointing was the glass tankard a subscriber There are several references to him in the had inherited from mother-in-law. It had book: ‘General Gordon’ by Lord Elton. been a gift from a member of the aristocracy, This Gordon letter was very interesting. I but its lineage did not go back so far. It was consulted Richard Westwood-Brookes, the etched with the words ‘SucceCs to the Documents Specialist from Dominic Winter BRITANNIA 1774’ and decorated with Book Auctions, The Old School, Maxwell etched briar rose and thistle. The tankard Street, Swindon, Wiltshire SN1 5DR. would be very exciting indeed if it dated from Tel: 01793 611340 Fax: 01793 491727 1774 but unfortunately it does not. There are Fashion in art is a fickle creature as can be Email: [email protected]. He told me several reasons why it can be seen to be seen from this gouache by John Baragwanath that C G Gordon is one of the higher priced much later. most likely twentieth century. King. Back in 1906 he was the flavour of the autographs on the market, and letters of his The style of handle is incorrect for 1774 as is month. Now his work no longer whets the are particularly highly priced if they refer to the thickness of the glass, which is too thick. appetite of art buyers. Africa and the Sudan. Values are less for HMS Britannia was a Royal Naval Man of letters with a more mundane content, but this War and therefore the presence of the one is very interesting as it refers to his time Jacobite symbols of the thistle and briar rose in the Crimea, where he was involved in are inappropriate from an English point of building bridges and other installations in view. These suggest insurrection rather than his role as an officer in the Royal Engineers patriotism. Finally the word ‘Success’ has (it is often forgotten that this was his actual been spelt ‘SucceCs’ whereas it should occupation in the army). This letter would actually be ‘Succefs’. The glassmaker may sell for between £400-£600 if offered at well have been copying a photograph of a auction, and of course should be insured for lidded vessel in ‘Old Glass and how to collect considerably more than that - say £800. it’ by J.Sydney Lewis, first published in 1916. In the photograph the elongated ‘f’ in One should beware from assuming that ‘Succefs’ looks a little like a capital C. I everything automatically goes up in value in believe whoever made the tankard being line with inflation. Back in 1906 you could unfamiliar with the old fashioned ‘f’ for ‘s’, have probably bought a house for 30 gns, had misread it.

Important Notice Due to an overwhelming demand we cannot offer reader valuations although we will continue to offer advice, guidance and information. Specific valuations are available through our Subscriber Services on the special forms provided. Telephone 01843 862069 for further info. Be reasonable in your request for information and do not overload our researchers by making numerous or At first glance, this tankard could be mistaken multiple enquiries. We would also request that you do not ask questions about second-hand or new goods for a very exciting object, but on close exami- that do not reasonably come under the umbrella of ‘antiques and collectables’ unless you are unclear on nation, the anomalies appear. A Jacobite whether you are dealing with a fake or reproduction. We will try to publish your letters where space briar rose and thistle and a Royal Naval Man permits. Send to: The Editor, Antiques Info Magazine, Wallsend House, P O Box 93, Broadstairs, of War are not compatible to say the least! CT10 3YR. Please give a full address and telephone number.