French Bakelite Brooch, ca. 1940
GUEST:
This brooch was my mother's. It was in her trunk they brought back when they were in Louisville from World War II, and then they had it in Portland and moved to the family ranch and I found it in there.
APPRAISER:
Do you wear it regularly?
GUEST:
No. Today was the first time I've ever worn it.
APPRAISER:
It's made out of Bakelite. And this piece we feel is from France.
GUEST:
Cool.
APPRAISER:
So this piece is very seriously constructed. It's set on a gilded metal stem. And each piece is intricately carved and glazed and finished. The thing about this that's really very exciting to us is that it's purple.
GUEST:
Oh, cool, really?
APPRAISER:
Purple is an odd color in Bakelite. None of us have seen purple.
GUEST:
Oh, wow, cool.
APPRAISER:
So... We're looking at a piece of crystal, clear Bakelite, which has gone oxidized to a sort of warm yellow tone, and behind it is a purple glaze.
GUEST:
Oh wow, that's how it turn... I didn't know. I had no idea.
APPRAISER:
It's wonderful. The value of Bakelite has slipped in the last several years. Today, a fair auction estimate for this piece is $500 to $700.
GUEST:
Wow, really?
APPRAISER:
Yeah, really.
GUEST:
It's going back in the safe. (chuckles)
Appraisal Details
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