John Sikorski: Pedestal is beautiful; golfing memorabilia is popular

John Sikorski
·2 min read
When properly cleaned and polished, this pedestal would be an eye popper.
When properly cleaned and polished, this pedestal would be an eye popper.

Q: We have a marble pedestal in our home that came from a collection of my wife's great-grand-uncle. It is very heavy and features a series of romantic paintings inlaid around the top and bottom four corners. The pedestal is 42 inches tall, the paintings are each 3.5 inches wide, and the top is 12 inches square. There also are several enameled decorations. I understand there was a matching companion to it, but it has gone to a different family member and we have lost track of it. What can you tell me about it? — D.R., Gainesville

This pedestal was made during the last quarter of the 19th century in Paris.
This pedestal was made during the last quarter of the 19th century in Paris.

A: Wow, what a beautiful pedestal. It was made during the last quarter of the 19th century in Paris. I can see champleve enamel, hand-painted porcelain plaques depicting courting seems being held in place by little bronze holders, finished out in bronze doré-trimmed detail and with marble and onyx structures. In the antiques world that’s called the real pizzazz factor. If there was a matching companion, the pair would be plus-10 for pizzazz. When properly cleaned and polished, it would be an eye popper. Mayfair Gallery, a top-of-the-ladder dealer in London, has for sale what they refer to as a near pair of pedestals that are almost identical to your pedestal. The asking price is 55,000 pounds. Their website is mayfairgallery.com. It will give you a picture of what your pedestal would look like polished.

Q: My husband and I enjoy reading your column; thank you for the information. Now I want to know about a Royal Doulton pitcher we inherited. It is 11.5 inches tall, at the top it is 4 3/16 inches diameter, and the base is 6 1/4 inches in diameter. Around the outside base is an inscription reading, “all fools are not knaves, but all knaves are fools.” The number D3395 appears in the right-hand corner of the inscription. The scene on the pitcher is of men in old timey golf pants playing a round. What can you tell me about it and its value? — A.R., Internet

A: The Royal Doulton Company produced a variety of decorative series ware. The pitcher you have, likely used for beer, is part of the golf series ware that was produced by Royal Doulton from 1911 to 1932. The players in old timey golf pants are wearing plus fours; I wonder if any of our readers who play golf know what plus fours are all about. As I recall, Payne Stewart, who played on the PGA tour until he was killed in a plane crash, wore plus fours. Antique and vintage golfing memorabilia is very popular. I think your pitcher would sell close to $1,000 — perhaps more on a lucky day.

— John Sikorski, with more than 35 years of experience, is an Ocala-based antiques advisor, consultant and broker. Send your questions to Sikorski's Attic, c/o The Ocala Star-Banner, 2121 SW 19th Ave. Road, Ocala, FL 34471-7752, or email absantique@aol.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: John Sikorski: Pedestal is beautiful; golfing memorabilia is popular