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 and Tom Kiernan.
I have recently purchased this Chinese cup. The saleroom (reputable and well-known) and certificate of authenticity assure me it is from the Qing (Ch’ing) Dynasty, 17th to 20th century. I am, I admit, a lover of beautiful things and not
too much of an expert on reign marks, and I am wondering if you could advise me on the reign in which this was made so I can get a feel of its age. A ‘how much is it worth’ estimate would be nice but is not really important as I just fell in love
with it. The fishing scholar in the painting is just lovely! It is in excellent condition.
Kindest regards, Sharon B., Parramatta, New South Wales..
Your Chinese cup is certainly a genuine antique, Sharon. And with so much fake Chinese porcelain landing on our shores every day of the week, it’s nice to view an item that’s genuine. Your cup is from the Qing period 1780-1820, and as you
say, a delightful piece. There’s not a set market price on such a piece, it’s basically what someone is willing to pay, but as a guide I would look at a value of between $200 and $500
TOM KIERNAN
The attached photos are of two heads that have been in my family for some time. The white ship’s figurehead came into my family’s possession in 1947, when they purchased a factory in Whitby in Yorkshire. A false wall was found at the
end of one building, which when demolished revealed a collection of ship’s figureheads in various stages of manufacture. It was believed that the wall had been built at the end of the eighteenth century when builders stopped fitting figureheads
to ships. This one stands 430cm tall and weighs 7kg, and is carved from solid oak. The second cameo-type head was found by my great-grandfather when he was fossicking on Hadrian’s Wall in northern England during the late 1800s. It was in
three pieces, which he mounted on a plaster base and fitted into a wooden surround. It was always known in the family as Hadrian’s head, but when I took the back off I found a piece of paper with Pius written on it. One source I read stated
that the Emperor Pius actually oversaw some of the construction of Hadrian’s Wall. Whatever, the location and age during which it was found suggests that it may very well date back to the Roman occupation of England. I would be very interested
in your comments.
Regards, Mike W., via email.
What fascinating background stories the two heads now in your possession have, Mike! There is little one can add from the distance in time and location, other than to agree with your story about the demise of figureheads. Any surviving
figurehead is now highly valuable, particularly after the London fire on the Cutty Sark, where many figureheads were stored and displayed below decks – these have now all been destroyed. I would put the value of yours at $2500+. Your Roman
head story is quite plausible, and we must remember the Romans were great artists as well as engineers, as evidenced by the recent Pompeii exhibition at the Melbourne Museum. The destruction of Pompeii and the period of your Hadrian piece are
approximately similar – over 1900 years ago. I estimate the cameo head to have a value of around $5000.
IAN ARMSTRONG
This information first appeared in Issues 35 of Antiques and Collectables for Pleasure & Profit.
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