I'm sure you have seen those episodes of Antique Roadshow where someone has brought something purchased at a garage sale for a quarter. The estimated value turns out to be $100,000. Wouldn't you love to be one of those people? Would you keep your item? Or sale it? I'm pretty sure I would sale. I think. A few guidelines.
- An old Sheffield plate will show the copper where the silver plating has worn off. This tells you it was probably made before 1850. Once a piece has been re-silvered by modern electroplating methods, it's just about impossible to tell the difference between other kinds of silver.
- Mason's ironstone, found largely in jugs made for the home and in dinner service, is the original only if the words "Mason's Patent Ironstone China" appear in capital letters on the bottom.
- Pewter is an alloy of tin and other metals. It has a more mellow and subtle color and appearance than silver or silver-plate. If a piece called pewter is marked Dixon or Sheffield, with a number on its underside, it is not pewter at all but Britannia metal, a substitute.
- The earlier works of Wedgwood have greater depth and more delicacy in the raised relief molding. And of course bears the impressed mark of Wedgewood.
- When making a major purchase of folk art, ask for a written guarantee. It should include a description of the piece,the name of the maker, the period and disclosure of all restoration. It should specify that if any of the information proves to be incorrect, it can be returned for a full refund.
- Acquire quality. Look for items whose design is basically sound.
- Most Amish quilts you find were made in the 1920's and early 1930's. Quilts older than that have worn out from use. Most borders were put on by machine. They had sewing machines as early as 1840. Fine stitching and sophisticated color schemes are the spectacular features of an Amish quilt. You will always find a deliberate mistake in an Amish quilt, illustrating only God is perfect.
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