Royal Worcester Porcelain Shell Vase, ca. 1880
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GUEST:
It's been in my family a real long time. My dad was an appraiser. He did appraisals for the government, customs. And he said to me one day, "Whatever you do, when you throw all the junk out, this isn't junk-- don't get rid of it." So it's been sitting in our living room for a really long time. It just has a lot of sentimental value to me.
APPRAISER:
Sure. Well, first of all, it's such a wonderful example of Victorian extravagance. I mean, you've got this wonderful shell being held up by coral, with
other shells and seaweed, and then there's several tones of gold decoration on it.
GUEST:
Is it-- is it gold? Is it actual gold, or it's gold paint?
APPRAISER:
Well, there is some gold in the paint.
GUEST:
Uh-huh, okay.
APPRAISER:
yes, but they used other materials to bind it. And then we've got this terrific lizard. It was made by Royal Worcester, right around the 1880s.
GUEST:
Really?
APPRAISER:
Yeah
GUEST:
Oh, my God, that's impressive.
APPRAISER:
, so it's terrifically old and when this was new, this was a fairly expensive object. It was a luxury item that you would have bought in a very nice store. This is made of porcelain.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
And it came both with and without the lizard, but I personally like it better with the lizard. Much more...
GUEST:
Me, too. That's what caught my eye. That's why I didn't get rid of it.
APPRAISER:
Right. They also made this same piece in majolica. So it was a fairly popular model when they made it.
GUEST:
Wow-- it's beautiful. It's beautiful.
APPRAISER:
So, you know, I'm crazy about it. It's... in terms of value, it does have good value these days, but not spectacular. It would, retail price today would be around $400 to $600.
GUEST:
Mm-hmm. Well, the value to me is, my father asked me to keep it, and being here today with you guys is the best part of it all.
Appraisal Details
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