WHAT'S IT WORTH

What's it Worth - A Specialist's Opinion

Each issue our panel of specialists assess the value of readers' items. The service is free and can be accessed via email: info@speediegraphics.com.au .Letters and replies will appear in the magazine Antiques and Collectables for Pleasure & Profit BEFORE they appear here.

Experts include Ian Armstrong, Alan Carter and Alice Bedlington.

Please can you give me some information on the enclosed photos of Stations of the Cross. I have the full set of 14 stations.
Thank you, Max H., Armidale, New South Wales..

Thank you for the photos of your 14 Stations of the Cross, Max. These are not easy to value, as a set like this rarely comes onto the market; they are usually part of the fabric of predominantly Catholic churches. Yours appear to be plaster works, probably by one or other of the Italian families who established themselves in Melbourne and made church ornaments such as plaster statues of the Holy family, saints, angels and nativity scenes. The Stations would be a variation on this theme. Yours appear to be in relief and look very well painted. If you find a person or an organisation looking for such a set, and with the room to display it, I believe they could sell at $500 each, or around $7000 for the set.
IAN ARMSTRONG

Enclosed are some photos of a hexagonal table we own, which has been in my husband’s family for many years. We don’t know a great deal about the table apart from it being fairly old and supposedly of some value. We would appreciate any information which would help us learn a little more about how old it is, and its likely value now. Unfortunately there are no marks on the table to indicate its maker. It measures 71cm high.
Thank you, Janet B., Kellyville, New South Wales..

This is quite a nice table, Janet. It’s made from mahogany with satinwood inlay to the top, and boxwood string inlay to the legs, which are well turned and terminate in pleasing feet. The table dates from around 1900 to 1910, and the fretwork sides add to its already nice shape. It’s quite a desirable example and would retail for $1400 to $1800.
ALAN CARTER

Enclosed is a photo of a Clarice Cliff plate which I believe is a Mondrian pattern. However, I think it is the wrong colour – or are there colour variations? It has a 23cm diameter and is in good condition apart from a few flakes off the edge. It’s marked Hand Painted Bizarre by Clarice Cliff Wilkninson England, plus Made in England. It also has an impressed mare of J over 34, which I think is wrong for a Mondrian plate. Please could you give me a value?
Thank you, , Michael B., Bentley, West Australia.

Based on an examination of the one photo you have sent us of your plate, Michael, it is a genuine piece of Mondrian by Clarice Cliff. I called in the expert opinion of Greg Slater (author of Comprehensively Clarice Cliff), and he confirmed that Mondrian was made in a variety of colourways and well into the 1930s, so that fits the marks on the plate that you have described. However, given its potential value I would suggest that you have it properly assessed by an expert in your area, namely George and Sue Walters of Deco DownUnder, who are also in West Australia. Check that the backstamp is underglaze and has not been added on later, although the quality of the banding on this plate does not suggest that it’s a fake. Using your photo and the information provided, I would estimate the retail value of your plate at between $1200 and $1600.
ALICE BEDLINGTON

This information first appeared in Issues 33 and 34 of Antiques and Collectables for Pleasure & Profit.