What is it worth? World War I oil painting, Art Nouveau lamp, rocking chair, David Fisher sculpture, post newel lamp

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World War I Oil Painting

(photo courtesy of the collector)

Oil painting
Q. This oil painting has been in my husband’s family for years. It is 46 inches wide and 26 inches high. This is the art of the First World War – we call it “L’Estaminet”. We cannot be sure of the artist’s lettering, but the signature is clear. There is a small repaired tear on the left of the black horse’s harness. Otherwise it is in good condition. Any help you can offer is appreciated.
B and MC, Milwaukie

A. Your photo shows a WWI British Army Service Corps general service wagon driving through a bombed out French town. Given the date of the painting and the cathedral in the background, it is quite possible that it represents a scene from the First Battle of Ypres, which took place near the Belgian town of Ypres in 1914. Ypres was a key position, as it was a stronghold town guarding the Channel ports and access to the North Sea. “Estaminet “is a bistro or small cafe in French, usually one that sells alcohol. The artist is unknown and therefore not a collection. At auction, your painting can sell for between $ 200 and $ 300, and its price is retail is between $ 500 and $ 700.

Art Nouveau Lamp
Q. This lamp is 18 1/2 inches tall and the base measures 8 inches by 6 inches. There is no maker’s mark or signature. My friend says he is from his grandmother’s house, which was built around 1912. The base and the figure are made of the same metal, which feels light, and is possibly pewter. The vine stem looks like a copper tube to carry the wire. The leaves appear to be stamped metal.
BM, northeast Portland

A. Your lamp is in the Art Nouveau style, which was popular across America and Europe from 1890 to 1910, and relied on design elements drawn from nature, using asymmetry and graceful, undulating lines. From your description and photos, it looks like it dates from the early 20th century and is likely a cast iron shelter with a bronze finish. Regulates is a metal composed mainly of zinc. It was commonly used for many 19th century decorative cast iron items, such as clocks, fireplaces, and lamps. At auction, it could sell for between $ 200 and $ 300. In a retail store, you would expect to see a price of $ 400 to $ 600.

Q. Rocking chair
This rocker was bought in Portland in the 1940s, probably from a second-hand dealer. It is very comfortable and rocks well. It measures 31 inches at the arms. The seat is 18 1/2 inches deep and the backrest 20 inches high.
HL, Oswego Lake

A. Your mahogany rocker appears to be American, factory made, possibly in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. The style could be labeled Federal Revival or Sheraton Revival, as it contains elements of both of these styles of furniture. It could be from the 1940s, or maybe a little earlier. A likely auction price would be $ 150 to $ 250, and a retailer could price it $ 300 to $ 500.

David Fisher sculpture
Q. I inherited a sculpture and am curious about it. He is 26 inches tall. On the back it is written: Austin Prod. Inc. 1987 c, then “Fisher”. If you can tell me something about it that would be great.
AS, West Linn

A. Your sculpture is by the artist David Fisher, most famous for its sculpture at the Vietnam War Memorial. Fisher graduated from Greek Art College in Odessa, Ukraine, and worked in the Soviet Union for many years. it appears to be cast from Durastone, a mixture of crushed stone that Austin Productions has used for many of its works. The company was founded in 1953 in New York City and has produced up to 1,500 different sculptures, as well as other decorative items and furniture. It ceased production in 2008, and the sculptures are increasingly popular with collectors. Interestingly, David Fisher is on Facebook, so you may want to contact them for more specific information about your part. At auction, you might see this selling for between $ 150 and $ 250. In a retail art gallery, a reasonable price would be $ 400-600.

Pole lamppost
Q. This cherub lamp measures 15 3/4 inches high with the globe, 8 inches without. The base measures 8 inches in diameter. There are no maker’s marks. My stepfather bought it many years ago and it originally came from a monastery, where it stood on a stair railing.
JJ, Vancouver, WA

A. This is a pole lamp, so named because of its original function, to illuminate and decorate the large pole at the bottom of a staircase. They were popular from around 1860 to the 1930s. They were used in all styles of architecture and became more elaborate and beautiful by the end of the Victorian era. Your lamp is neoclassical in style and probably dates from the 1920s, a time when globe shades like yours were all the rage. It appears to be silver metal, and you would need to take it to a jeweler, who can see it in person, to make this decision.. At auction, you might see a selling price of $ 250 to $ 350 and a retail store might price it $ 500 to $ 700.

ABOUT COLLECTIBLES The values ​​of the items in this Collectibles column are estimated by the Portland appraiser Jerry dobesh, who is an accredited member of the American Society of Appraisers. He is specifically accredited in Antiques and Decorative Arts. Its services include providing assessments for inheritance rights, charitable contributions, insurance planning and loss, and fair distribution needs.

To find an appraiser, contact the International Society of Appraisers, the American Society of Appraisers, or the Appraisers Association of America. The estimates suggested in this Collectibles column are for general information purposes only and cannot be used as a basis for sales, insurance or IRS purposes.

If you have a rare, very old and / or unusual piece of furniture or decoration that you would like to include in the column, please send us your high quality images, preferably at least 300 dpi and in jpeg format. Usually, phone photos are not good enough for evaluation. Photos should show the object in its entirety and should be clearly focused and well lit to show detail. If there are any maker’s marks, please include a picture of them. Include measurements and information about the condition of the part.

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