Q: Here are images of what the family has always called the "Belter" chair. Is it Belter?
- Sandra, Ashland, Va.
A: Born in Germany, John Henry Belter was a pre-Civil War furniture maker. His high-end cabinet shop in New York City operated from 1844 to 1863, in an era that represented the height of the Rococo Revival style. Taste for his "French" Rococo designs was and remains strongest in the Deep South homes of the lower Mississippi River Valley. Think large plantations and "Gone With the Wind."
Not only a furniture maker, Belter was also an innovator. His first patent, in 1847, was for a special saw to pierce-carve chair backs. Another was for forming chair backs.
In New Orleans, the Neal Auction Company (www.nealauction.com) achieves remarkable prices for Belter furniture. In September 2009, a carved and laminated rosewood side chair brought $5,288. And that's just seating. Belter produced a variety of furniture, concentrating on parlor sets. Belter beds are extremely rare and sell well into six figures.
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Rachel Weathers, Neal's director of furniture and decorative arts, told us that "Belter" has become a widely used generic term for fancy Victorian furniture. Given the fact that other known American furniture makers also worked in the Rococo Revival style, the attribution is usually false.
True Belter, or furniture made in the master's workshop, is not easy to identify. As a result, "attributed to John Henry Belter" is often used at auction.
His seating furniture is identified, said Weathers, by a look at the top or side of a chair back. If it has seven or more layers of laminated wood topped by rosewood, it might be Belter. The inventive use of lamination was "Belter's greatest legacy," she added. His method produced pieces that were lightweight and durable.
Certain stylistic touches identify Belter, especially those multiple layers of thin laminations. Competitors did not use as many. Belter carving was more elaborate and realistic than others, and usually involved naturalistic themes such as vines, acorns, grapes and fruit.
Unfortunately, Belter's pattern books no longer exist. Pattern names used in Belter circles today are derived from the homes of his customers, such as "Rosalie," named for a set bought for a Natchez plantation of that name.
It takes a trained eye to identify Belter, and even experts armed with magnifying lenses differ. Key is thin and multiple layers of lamination, plus fineness of carving and line.
The barrel-back chair seen in images sent appears solid, not laminated. Roses carved on the seat rail and back are crude, certainly as compared to the natural themes of Belter. The simple finger carved chair frame is not characteristic of his work, and lacks the grace associated with his products.
In sum, it is a nice but standard factory-made late Victorian chair. The curved back makes it different, but it is not a Belter.
FYI: If you think your treasure is one of a valuable type, it pays to buy a short-term subscription to www.artfact.com or other auction database to compare sold items with yours. Cost is minimal, and the education can be invaluable.
Q: We cruise a lot, and have several pieces of art, all with appraisals by Park West. How do we sell them?
- Dawn, Pembroke Pines, Fla.
A: Park West at Sea, operated by Park West Gallery of Michigan, conducts onboard auctions of art, primarily prints. Caribbean cruises and resort hotels are where most encounter the selling sessions, which are heavily promoted as educational.
Any smart collector will tell you to research before buying. But potential Park West at Sea buyers are isolated afloat. So much for an opportunity to research, let alone do a cursory search on Google.
We looked into the company, and plenty of red flags appeared, starting with a class-action lawsuit in New Jersey alleging "phantom" bidders that drove up prices. High prices set by Park West at Sea were another flag. With no chance to comparison shop or consult art sale databases, or even independent appraisers, buyers are at the mercy of price fixing and inflated prices.
The reader wants to sell her Park West at Sea pieces. Based on info in the paragraphs above, how much weight do you think her appraisals carry?
My suggestion is to accept the fact that you overpaid and will never recoup the "investment." Any good auction house that takes the art will sell it at true level in the current market.
Q: I inherited what is called a Japanese vase. I'd love to know more about it and looked online, but can't find anything under Japanese pottery.
- Donna, Winter Park, Fla.
A: Look under Satsuma porcelains. The vase, made for export, is a handsome version of the type.
Danielle Arnet welcomes questions from readers. She cannot respond to each one individually, but will answer those of general interest in her column. Send e-mail to smartcollector@comcast.net or write Danielle Arnet, c/o Tribune Media Services, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60611. Please include an address in your query. Photos cannot be returned.