John Sikorski: Rug appears to be a beauty; dolls don’t have much collector interest

John Sikorski
·2 min read
This rug is 10 feet by 15 feet and has some foreign writing on it.
This rug is 10 feet by 15 feet and has some foreign writing on it.

Q: My wife inherited an old Persian rug approximately 10 years ago. It had been stored away until we recently moved to the Ocala area. The rug is 10 feet by 15 feet and has some foreign writing on it. I have attached two pics, one of the writing and one of the overall rug. Could you please provide us with any information concerning the writing, when and where this rug was made, as well as a current approximate appraisal value? We like the rug and plan on keeping it, but would really love to know the information requested above if you can manage it. Thank you in advance for your effort! — W.H., Internet

This rug is 10 feet by 15 feet and has some foreign writing on it.
This rug is 10 feet by 15 feet and has some foreign writing on it.

A: I wish you had included better photographs of your Persian rug as it appears to be a beauty. I think you should speak with a Persian rug expert in order to discover all of the details about your rug, including a translation of what is written on the lower border. I suggest and highly recommend Bahram Cyrus Assary. He has owned and operated Cyrus Rug Gallery on the Square in downtown Ocala for decades. Cyrus Rugs has recently relocated. The new address is 521 S. Magnolia Ave., just five blocks south of the Square. The new location offers restoration, repair, cleaning and appraisals on Persian and Oriental rugs by appointment. The phone number is 629-3200. Let us know how things work out.

These three dolls are low on the totem pole of doll collector interest.
These three dolls are low on the totem pole of doll collector interest.

Q: I am wondering if these three dolls have any value. — J.B., Internet

A: The three dolls in the photograph are low on the totem pole of doll collector interest. Here is a good website to discover the particulars on the dolls you have: dollreference.com.

Black-and-white etchings like the three you have depicting buildings, cathedrals, cityscapes and more were produced by numerous artists throughout England and Europe during the last part of the 19th Century and into the early 20th Century.
Black-and-white etchings like the three you have depicting buildings, cathedrals, cityscapes and more were produced by numerous artists throughout England and Europe during the last part of the 19th Century and into the early 20th Century.

Q: Could you give me any idea of the value of these three etchings? I have attached photographs. — P.K., Internet

A: The photographs of the three etchings you have are not clear enough for me to attempt to read the signature. Black-and-white etchings like the three you have depicting buildings, cathedrals, cityscapes and more were produced by numerous artists throughout England and Europe during the last part of the 19th Century and into the early 20th Century. They can be found for sale at very affordable prices, generally below $50.

— 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: Rug appears to be a beauty