Kovels antiques: Art nouveau style mushroom lamp blurs lines between art and nature

In design, the line between art and science isn't always clearly drawn. This has been true for centuries. One of the most influential figures in the art nouveau movement of the late 19th to early 20th century was a scientist, not an artist.

Beginning in 1889, biologist Ernst Haeckel published a series of books called "Art Forms in Nature" that captured the geometric structure and intricate beauty of sea life, microscopic organisms, plants, animals and insects. While art nouveau designs are stylized and exaggerated, especially human figures, the influence of nature, especially as captured by Haeckel, is clear in the organic asymmetrical shapes and the use of plants, animals, birds and insects as subjects or motifs.

This lamp shaped like a cluster of mushrooms with long stems and graceful curving shapes may not have been made in the art nouveau period, but it is definitely art nouveau style. Its leaded glass shades, bronze base and nature inspiration are reminiscent of Tiffany lamps, themselves emblematic of art nouveau, but compared with them, it was a bargain. While authentic Tiffany lamps can sell for record-setting prices of thousands of dollars, this mushroom lamp sold for $344 at a Hindman auction.

Q: What is the value of a Roseville Bleeding Heart wall pocket? The back is marked "Roseville, U.S.A., 1287-8." It's in perfect condition with no chips, cracks or crazing.

A: Roseville Pottery Co. was founded in 1890 in Roseville, Ohio. Another plant was opened in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1898. Roseville's "Bleeding Heart" pattern was made on blue, green or pink ground and in 48 different shapes. The number "1287" is the shape number and "8" is the size in inches. Roseville went out of business in 1954. Green Bleeding Heart wall pockets sell for $75 to $129.

Q: Are old Sears catalogs worth anything?

A: Sears, Roebuck and Co. was founded by Richard Sears and Alvah Roebuck in Chicago in 1893. Its first mail-order catalog listed watches and jewelry. By 1894, the catalog included general merchandise. The general catalog, the "Big Book," was discontinued in 1993 but some specialty catalogs were issued after that. The "Wish Book," the company's Christmas catalog, was published from 1934 to 2011. A smaller version was published in 2017. Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Holding Corp. merged to become Sears Holdings Corp. in 2005. It is now owned by Transformco. Old catalogs published around 1900 or before sell for the highest prices. More recent catalogs sell for about $10 to $30. Some sell in lots for less. An original 1902 Sears catalog sold for $275. Reproductions made in 1969 sell for $10 to $20.

Q: My mom has a Furby Baby in its original box and is wondering what it could be worth and how to sell it.

A: Furby and Furby Babies are battery-operated electronic toys that can "talk." The toys have their own language, "Furbish," but can learn to speak English and several other languages. Furby was created by Dave Hampton and Caleb Chung. They sold the rights to the toy to Tiger Electronics Inc., which became part of Hasbro in 1998. Furby quickly became "the toy" to have and millions were sold. Furby Babies were introduced in 1999. They are smaller and know more phrases. They were made in 25 different colors. Hasbro stopped making the original toys in 2000 but has made new Emoto-Tronic Furby toys since then. Furby Babies sell today for about $20 to $40 without a box and $40 to $60 in the original box.

Q: Can you help me determine the value of my Black Knight China? I have approximately nine full place settings, along with a gravy boat, sugar bowl, serving bowls and a large platter. One of the coffee cups is cracked. There is a gold and black "Black Knight" label on the back and the dishes are also marked "Registered U.S.A., Selb Bavaria."

A: Your dishes were imported from Selb, Bavaria, by Graham & Zenger, a New York City importer and wholesaler. The company used the "Black Knight" mark from about 1925 to 1941. Complete sets of dinnerware usually come in an even number of settings, usually eight- or 12-place settings plus serving pieces. Large sets of dishes are hard to sell. You have an odd number of place settings and a damaged cup, making it harder. Dinner plates in some Black Knight patterns sell for about $10 per plate, serving pieces for more. Price depends on desirability or rarity of the pattern as well as condition. Online shops that sell Black Knight dinnerware also buy it, but you have to pack and ship it to them. You can try to sell them in a local resale shop. If only the serving pieces sell, donate the rest to a charity and get a tax deduction.

TIP: When moving, stuff glasses and cups with crumpled paper, then wrap in bubble wrap.

Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer readers' questions sent to the column. Send a letter with one question describing the size, material (glass, pottery) and what you know about the item. Include only two pictures, the object and a closeup of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, (Name of this newspaper), King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 or email us at collectorsgallerykovels.com.

CURRENT PRICES
Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.
Pottery, spice box, lid, brown glaze, incised dove and plants, painted blue, band borders, scalloped trim, 7 by 7 by 8 inches, $35.
Doll, china, shoulder head, flat top, molded hair, painted black, blue eyes, bead necklace, cloth body, jointed, leather lower arms and boots, lacy dress, 27 inches, $105.
Poster, travel, Besancon La Mouillere, woman and two children in summer clothes, buildings and landscape in background, multicolor, lithograph on paper, frame, Lucien Pillot, circa 1925, 40 by 25 inches, $160.
Glass vase, cranberry to clear, enameled flower, white poppy, twisted and ribbed base, gilt trim, Continental, 12 inches, pair, $295.
Lamp base, bronze, electric, Renaissance Revival style, oval, gilded top, patinated base, allover reliefs, masks, figures, oval cartouches, round stepped foot, early 20th century, 13 inches, $310.
Cabinet, Directoire style, mahogany, rosewood, flip top, leather writing surface, drawer over faux bookcase front, faux leather, 19th century, 30 by 22 by 11 inches, $345.
Raincoat, nylon, beige, double breasted, patch pockets, belt, leopard lining, Yves Saint Laurent, women's, size 10, 41 inches, $450.
Dinner service, yellow, center scene, figure in peasant dress between plant and tree, flowers and geometrics around border, octagonal plates, marked, Henriot Quimper, 24 pieces, dinner plates 10 inches, $585.
Musical instrument, ukulele, S1 Uke, soprano, mahogany, applied neck joint, C.F. Martin, 30 by 10 inches, $610.
Table, console, art deco, hardstone top, inverted harp shaped base, ebonized wood, mahogany, walnut, bird's-eye maple, rectangular foot, 36 by 60 by 15 inches, $1,320.