Q Any info on this vase? It was bought from George Borgfeldt in New York City in the early 1920s.
— Hermine, Tucson
A Smart collectors are familiar with the Borgfeldt name on two fronts. The George Borgfeldt Corp. operated in New York from before 1881 to the 1950s as a selling agency and maker's representative for American and import lines of china and glass, plus art and gift pottery. George Borgfeldt & Co. was a New York importer and assembler of dolls for the American and Canadian doll markets during the same time period. Obviously, this query involves the first Borgfeldt arm.
Bearing varied marks, Borgfeldt's U.S.-made china was largely produced in East Liverpool, Ohio. A china company there decorated blanks for them. Much Borgfeldt output bears a Coronet mark or stamp.
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But the vase in a sent photo is of turquoise glass, formed as an urn with double curled handles at the high shoulders. The overpainting is in silver, consisting of spidery lines and elongated heart-shaped leaves.
Glass and Tiffany expert Reyne Haines, www.reyne gallery.com, is a frequent contributor on "Antiques Roadshow." She and a partner operate www.justglass.com, an informative Web site on all kinds and periods of glass.
Haines identified the vase as a piece of early Fenton art glass. Readers accustomed to today's Fenton in gift shops may be surprised to know that the Fenton Art Glass Co. started in 1905 in Martins Ferry, Ohio.
In the early 1920s, Imperial Glass and Durand hired a group of European glassmakers to produce a line of art glass. The startup failed, but in 1925 the group was contracted by the Fenton art glass factory for a period of one year.
The output was hand blown, without molds. It was, however, made into standard shapes, including this vase in the "Egyptian" form. The type is called offhand art glass.
Most vases did not have handles, but the handle shapes here are consistent with those affixed to other pieces. Made in four, perhaps six, colors, the glass was decorated in four styles, including the Hanging Vine pattern seen on this vase.
Early Fenton art glass is desirable, and this experimental style produced for only one year is especially so. Market value is hard to peg because the piece is so rare, but it could easily bring more than $1,500. If you sell, be sure to shop it to several auction houses that specialize in high-end art glass.
FYI: "Fenton Art Glass 1907-1939: 2nd Ed." by Margaret and Kenn Whitmyer (Collector Books, $29.95) shows examples of Fenton's offhand glass.
Q I have the brass-plated inscription from the original hull of the USS Constitution, made in 1794. The wood measures 4 by 2.5 inches and is 1.5 inches thick. Value?
— Kenneth, Oakland Park, Fla.
A First, I urge readers to learn the history of this ship on www.ussconstitution.navy.mil. "Old Ironsides" has been rebuilt several times and is now open to the public in Charlestown, Mass.
You're making quite a statement by claiming to have part of the original hull. Since hull planks used in the making were said to be up to 7 inches thick, the information does not measure up.
If you sincerely believe that the fragment is original, it must be documented. If you wish to sell, contact any of the major auction houses with photos and all supporting info.
● 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.
The Smart Collector
By Danielle Arnet
» COLLECTOR QUIZ
Q: What major names in adult sewing paraphernalia also made sewing items for children that are now collectible?
a. Singer b. Dritz
c. Butterick d. McCall
A: All of the companies listed made or contributed to children's sewing items. Source: "Encyclopedia of Children's Sewing Collectibles" by Darlene Gengelbach (Collector Books, $24.95).