This Old Thing: Church painting has wonderful subject matter

Q. I inherited this portray from my sister, who purchased it at a Montreal auction in the 1950s. The portray, minus the gold body, measures 30 cm large (12 inches) by 69 cm vast (27 inches.) It’s signed ‘FS Church N.Y. 87’. There’s also a plaque on the body with ‘Idlers.’ I’m intrigued in equally its background and worth.

A. This portray has wonderful issue matter. The artist is Frederick Stuart Church (1842-1924), a common American painter, illustrator and printmaker. Church studied in New York and commenced his vocation as an illustrator performing for Harper’s journal in the late 1870s. He also became a member of the Countrywide Academy of Design and style in 1885 and, for the following 50 many years, exhibited all forms of fanciful paintings at the Nationwide Academy of Arts. Collectors appreciate Church’s portrayals of idyllic splendor communicating with mother nature, and the maiden with flamingos is a favourite. It is easily really worth $6,000 today.

Q. I purchased this dish for $12 in an on the web auction recently. I like the yellow stripes and how they line up top rated and bottom. The sample is known as Daisy & Button. But I never know what it may well be utilised for. It’s a bit huge for a butter dish. It measures 18 across and 19 cm superior (7 x 7.5 inches). It is in perfect ailment. I’d like to know how outdated it is and if I may possibly be in for a financial gain if I promote it. Many thanks for your time.

A. George Duncan and Sons, of Pittsburgh, Pa., manufactured your dish. It was initial mentioned as ‘Panelled Daisy and Button. Nevertheless, the primary business sample identify in their 1891 catalogue was ‘Ellrose’ and it has what’s regarded as ‘Amberette’ decoration. This business, along with a number of other individuals, was absorbed by The United States Glass Business. You have a included compote. The butter dish is a little bit more compact. It is not an straightforward pattern to locate in perfect ailment, together with the amber staining. It would continue to be a superior acquire at $75.

Q. Following my mother-in-regulation died past autumn at age 95, we acquired a whole lot of bits and parts. This minimal Humpty Dumpty pin cushion, which is only 4 cm tall (an inch and a 50 percent,) was discovered in the aged biscuit tin stitching box, amongst the threads, needles and scissors. It is a small even worse for put on. My spouse utilised it as a spinning best when he was significantly youthful. It has a hallmark with an anchor and a lion, as well as some quantities which are tricky to study.

A. Sewing products are hugely collectible, and this Humpty Dumpty pin cushion is the two a rarity and a gem, despite its assorted dents and scratches. It was built in 1914-1915 in Birmingham, England, out of sterling silver. Humpty Dumpty is a properly-known nursery rhyme character. Apparently, Humpty was originally the identify assigned to a cannon applied in the course of the 17th-century English civil war that was mounted on major of a church. Unconventional sterling silver products like this pin cushion are appealing as are stitching collectibles which makes this treasure value $175 in spite of its effectively-beloved issue.