Federal Sugar Chest, ca. 1795
Watch
GUEST:
We got it at an estate sale. I really liked the front of it, and that was what attracted me to it. I like the little flowers here. And I knew it had some bumps and bruises, but I thought it was still pretty.
APPRAISER:
And how much did you pay for it?
GUEST:
I paid $50.
APPRAISER:
How many years ago was that?
GUEST:
That was in 2008, so five years ago.
APPRAISER:
What you've brought in here is a fairly rare Federal circa 1795 sugar chest.
GUEST:
Oh, okay.
APPRAISER:
Probably made in Charleston, South Carolina. Inside, we've got this storage well. This is where they'd store the sugar cones, which would go inside. And as you can see, there's a lock here, of course, and the reason that lock was there was because sugar was so valuable and you'd have little hands reaching into it, maybe from children wanting some candy.
GUEST:
Who doesn't, right?
APPRAISER:
People would sometimes steal it. This piece is made of mahogany, but it's not the ordinary mahogany we see on a piece of Federal furniture. It is so highly figured, all the different contrasting pieces. The top on this is amazing. It's almost like a picture frame, and here's the work of art. And then around it are these pieces of herringbone mahogany, cherry wood, probably ebony. And the great thing about your sugar chest is beyond the proportions, which are so delicate, are these little dainty feet. Do you like those?
GUEST:
Yeah, I like the thin legs.
APPRAISER:
Look at how delicate they are, it just floats. And as we spin it, you can see the same framing is used on the sides. Look at these striated pieces here. Look at all the work that went into this. By the way, this is all typical of Charleston work. Look at that, even the back is actually framed, so we know that this was meant to be used and carried in the center of the room or wherever someone needed their sugar. These handles are original, and people would like to display these because they were proud. You had to be pretty wealthy to have a sugar chest, especially one like this. Now, your sugar chest has also survived with its original finish.
GUEST:
Really?
APPRAISER:
This has been untouched since about 1795.
GUEST:
That's crazy.
APPRAISER:
As far as condition also, it's got some chips, but that doesn't bother me at all. What do you think about the handles?
GUEST:
They didn't match it to me.
APPRAISER:
Exactly. So this probably had little brass knobs, and you sort of visualize what this looked like. Then one time in the center, somebody put an escutcheon, which would never have been there originally. Right now, Southern furniture is one of the hottest areas out there. Do you have any idea what this is worth today?
GUEST:
I have no idea.
APPRAISER:
I would put an auction estimate on this table today of $20,000 to $30,000.
GUEST:
Really? That's crazy. That's a good find. We'll keep it. (laughing)
Appraisal Details
Executive producer Marsha Bemko shares her tips for getting the most out of ANTIQUES ROADSHOW.
Value can change: The value of an item is dependent upon many things, including the condition of the object itself, trends in the market for that kind of object, and the location where the item will be sold. These are just some of the reasons why the answer to the question "What's it worth?" is so often "It depends."
Note the date: Take note of the date the appraisal was recorded. This information appears in the upper left corner of the page, with the label "Appraised On." Values change over time according to market forces, so the current value of the item could be higher, lower, or the same as when our expert first appraised it.
Context is key: Listen carefully. Most of our experts will give appraisal values in context. For example, you'll often hear them say what an item is worth "at auction," or "retail," or "for insurance purposes" (replacement value). Retail prices are different from wholesale prices. Often an auctioneer will talk about what she knows best: the auction market. A shop owner will usually talk about what he knows best: the retail price he'd place on the object in his shop. And though there are no hard and fast rules, an object's auction price can often be half its retail value; yet for other objects, an auction price could be higher than retail. As a rule, however, retail and insurance/replacement values are about the same.
Verbal approximations: The values given by the experts on ANTIQUES ROADSHOW are considered "verbal approximations of value." Technically, an "appraisal" is a legal document, generally for insurance purposes, written by a qualified expert and paid for by the owner of the item. An appraisal usually involves an extensive amount of research to establish authenticity, provenance, composition, method of construction, and other important attributes of a particular object.
Opinion of value: As with all appraisals, the verbal approximations of value given at ROADSHOW events are our experts' opinions formed from their knowledge of antiques and collectibles, market trends, and other factors. Although our valuations are based on research and experience, opinions can, and sometimes do, vary among experts.
Appraiser affiliations: Finally, the affiliation of the appraiser may have changed since the appraisal was recorded. To see current contact information for an appraiser in the ROADSHOW Archive, click on the link below the appraiser's picture. Our Appraiser Index also contains a complete list of active ROADSHOW appraisers and their contact details and biographies.
