Sentimental Value

From the April/May 2009 issue of Reminisce

Smoking Set

This SMOKING SET has been in our family for over 100 years. Roycraft of East Aurora, New York, which, I believe, consisted of coppersmiths, made the set. The pieces are all hammered copper, and I wonder how old they are.
—D.J. Boersma, Williamsville, New York

Elbert Green Hubbard established the Roycraft community in 1894, employing more than 100 people. The group, known worldwide for its excellent craftsmanship, produced successful lines of furniture, copper and leather items, clocks, lamps, china and jewelry.

Hubbard, who was an author, also established Roycroft Press. He and his wife, Alice, perished in the sinking of the RMS Lusitania ocean liner, in 1915.

The rectangular tray should be 15x8 inches, the flared-top vase was made to match the height of erect cigarettes and the cylindrical, covered humidor came in two sizes. The ashtray with attached matchbox holder is one of the more rare pieces, and all have the simplistic line beading and trillium (three-leaf) design. Identification marks were the orb and cross or the name Roycraft.

Value: Very collectible in today’s market, the set goes for $800.

Lamp

This lamp was in my husband’s family, but little is known of its origin. Each side displays a picture of a different woman, possibly depicting a particular woman in history or representing certain eras.
—Norma Larrabee Gabriel, Mondovi, Wisconsin

Four Seasons is the pattern name given to the four-sided fount on your glass kerosene lamp. Oval portraits of American women represent heritage, age, labor, costumes and liberty.

Patriotism was fueled after the 1886 Centennial Exhibition, and lamps such as this linked Americans to their heritage and independence.

Kerosene lamps were used chiefly from the 1850s to the 1920s but much later in rural areas. As new techniques of design and colors were added, glass lamps remained popular.

Fuel for oil lamps included whale oil from 1800 to 1840, lard from 1833 to 1863 and kerosene starting in the 1850s. My grandma told me that ridding oil lamps of soot and odors was the most messy of cleaning jobs.

Value: $300.

Chatelaine

My mother inherited this CHATELAINE from her cousin, who was said to have received it from Queen Elizabeth of England in the 1940s, during World War II. We cannot validate this story and do not know how old the item is.
—Jack Hirons, Muncie, Indiana

The French word chatelaine is derived from “lord or lady of the manor.” Wearers would tie keys to the chatelaine for immediate access to rooms and cabinets containing luxury items.

In the 19th century, the chatelaine evolved into a piece of extravagant jewelry worn at the waist. Men found them useful for holding wax signets, toothpicks, dog whistles and even a mustache wax spoon.

Your five “necessaries” are a running-fox penknife, a shellfish needle case, a scissors in attached sheath, an ivory fan with filigree frame and a retractable pencil.

Value: Have a silversmith clean your chatelaine to reveal hallmarks. Sculptured foliage and animal charms give an estimated value of $550.

Telescoping Table

My mother purchased this TELESCOPING TABLE about 30 years ago. We’ve never seen another like it, except in a TV Western years ago.
—Mansel Davis, Allport, Pennsylvania

The British called their innovation a dumbwaiter while the French called it a “loyal servant.” At mealtime, servants were dismissed after the last course, leaving guests to serve themselves. Covered bowls of food, table utensils and the coffee set were positioned on the tiers.

Early examples of this table had two tiers and a tripod base. Some models had revolving circular tiers and drop-down flaps, while others had shelves, drawers or trays.

By 1850, after many modifications, quadruple supports replaced the tripod base and made it sturdier. Rectangular tiers are a later design variation.

Value: $1,400.