Hi Gary
I have a doll which I found in a flat I bought at auction , I saw your advert a few months ago and wondered if you could tell me anything about it here are some pictures she is about 2 feet tall
Regards Tony Williams
Dear Tony,
Thank you for contacting me. This type of large doll is a ‘Cinderella’ doll. Many manufacturers made this type of doll including Ideal, Pedigree, Wilkinson and others. Unfortunately I cannot make out the markings on the back of the neck which will give you its manufacturer. They were popular dolls in the 1950’s and 60’s, and many clothes and shoes were available to buy for them.
Dolls are not as popular with little girls nowadays as they’d rather have a mobile phone! The market has suffered as the collectors have diminished. Retro dolls like these are on offer from £30 – 100. It is good that you have the original box. Not a bad find for free!
Hi Helen,
What a lovely example of an Edwardian open armed chair.
This is very typical of the period. These chairs were bought singularly, in pairs or as part of a drawing room suite. A full suite consisted of a ladies and a gentleman’s armchair, six or eight dining chairs and a chaise longue. These were generally made in mahogany or the better ones made in rosewood. Full suites are becoming rarer to find.
Unfortunately these wonderfully carved pierced back mahogany chairs are not in fashion today, and you would struggle to sell it over £50. I would suggest that you keep the chair and enjoy it until its quality is once again recognised.
I wondered if you could tell me anything about this piece and is it of any value its been in the family for quite a while
Mrs Davies
Dear Mrs. Davies,
Although I cannot see the markings on the underneath of the piece, it is instantly recognisable. If you turn it upside down you should see a pink triangle stuck on the base. It always reminds me of the old Bazooka Joe bubble gum you could buy! The unique colours also give us another clue.
It is made by Royal Dux Porcelain which has been produced since 1853, in the small town of Duchcov, Northwest of Prague. They exported all over the world and it was very popular in the north of England.
Typical examples are horse drawn chariots, figures with cattle, water carriers, elephants and large pairs of farming ladies and gentlemen.
A Royal Dux pottery nymph rising out of a waterlily flower would sell for £120 – 160.
Hi, I was just looking at the print of the viaduct at Knaresborough on your web page, I have a signed Sam Chadwick print of the viaduct, but is slightly different only two boats on river and men stood on right hand side of river, my guess 1940s or 50s. 98 of 206. Also I have an original water colour by him untitled of a large church. Headrow Gallery sticker on the back of this one.
Dear Mick,
Sam Chadwick (1902-1992) was a well-known and prolific watercolour artist who painted in the Yorkshire Dales. There are many examples of his work on the market today. Unfortunately his work is rather out of fashion now, and his watercolours have been selling between £80 – 120 at auction. His prints sell for around £20.
You may be sat on a treasure trove! It is often the items that you think are worthless that can turn out to be the most valuable. Not sure?
Then send an email to antiques@yorkshirereporter.co.uk.
I will answer everyone.
Look forward to valuing for you
