On Friday, we kicked off a quiz which posed the question, "If you were to come across these four items priced equally at a flea market this weekend which would you choose as the best potential investment?" Ready to see if your antique spotting eye is right on? Click here for the quiz post or jump below for the answer:
It's the Ox Weathervane! Set at $135,000, it is priced at over $100,000 higher than the next priciest piece in the group. It is available on 1st Dibs from Jeffrey Tillou Antiques. Here is the scoop:
• Ox Weathervane• American
• 19th century
• Attributed to Howard & Co., Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
• Ca. 1854-67.
• The imposing size suggests that this Ox Weathervane was made on commission for a large barn. It is perhaps the largest example by Howard & Co. known to date. It is an exceptional piece based on its sculptural form, size, and virtually untouched condition.
• Full body copper, sheet copper ears (front portion), wrought iron support bar. The tail has been reattached with minor areas of re-soldering, minor re-soldering to the seam of the front right foot. Surface is original, showing some traces of yellow sizing or paint. the weathervane is in a remarkable state of preservation.
The portrait is of Mary Lewis and is priced at $32,500. The quilt is priced at $16,500 and the highwheel bicycle is $10,500.
How did you do? Would you have been celebrating after getting your flea market find appraised?
Images: 1st Dibs, individual direct links above
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Wow this one brought much less in March 2009. Same maker.
A J. Howard weathervane in the form of an ox was made with a cast zinc head and front body, while the rest was molded copper. It came from a local collector and went to the trade for $56,288. Speaking of it after the sale, Executive Vice President Stephen Fletcher was admiring, "It had perfect color, surface and form."
The ox weathervane by J. Howard had a cast zinc head and front body, while the rest was molded copper. It brought $56,288.
http://www.westcoastweathervanes.com/Weathervane-Miscellaneous-Pages/NewsUpdates.htm
Not bad!! I was wavering between 1 (weathervane) and 3 (quilt), so not too shabby :) very interesting!
I see so many items on 1st Dibs that are incredibly overpriced -
- a truer indication of an item's value is the final transaction/auction price.
That blows my mind! I was so sure it was the quilt! Totally crazy!
LovelyVelocity, I believe it's the same weathervane that's been marked up more than 100%.
The value of an object is more accurately determined by an appraiser, not by its retail price.
happily COWed. :)
Yes, rhodajr, that's my sense, too. I realize it might not fetch anything near the current asking price. I put it out there as an FYI in market forces!
When Skinner had it up for auction in 2009, its estimated value was between $25,000 & $35,000, still a bit pricey, for me anyway.
Isn't the value determined by what it sells for and not what a seller is asking? Just because a seller on 1st Dibs is asking that much doesn't, in my opinion, mean it's worth that much.
Whoo-hoo! Got it right! It is a cool piece, and I like it, but I don't $100K+ like it.
woo ho!! i got it right!!
Yes travislessness, there's the seller value and the market or paid value. I wonder if 1st Dibs is trying to cut off any cybersleuthing as to its last price, they flipped the photo and they do not give the maker's full name.
I'm surprised...I thought it was the quilt for sure!
Yeah....those weathervanes, especially being unusual and full-bodied , bring in outrageous prices.
It's nice that the tanked economy isn't affecting antique weathervane purchasers.
I thought the bicycle would be the most expensive and the portrait the least! I was way off!