Dear GaryI wonder if you could tell me anything about this figure? He was bought by my mother in law in the sixties for a very small sum as he was broken. You will see his hand ends in a lamp fitting instead of what we assume was a sword. He is 26 inches tall and as far as I can see has no markings
at all.
We use him as a lamp but would love to know if he is anyone specific. He is much loved and known as Charlie to us!!
Kind Regards, Jean Greening-Jackson.
Dear Jean,
Thank you for your email and photo of your figure.
The figure is called ‘The Knight’ and was made in the late 1800’s.
It is probably made of spelter, which used to be known as ‘the poor man’s bronze’. Unlike bronze, which is usually a blend of 90% copper and 10% tin, spelter is a combination of less expensive metals, zinc and lead. Bronze was very expensive in Victorian times, so the cheaper spelter figures were made for the mass market. You can tell the difference by scratching the surface. Bronze shows a gold colour, spelter shows silver colour.
Your figure would probably have held a lance, not a sword. It has been devalued somewhat by turning into a lamp, but a similar figure can be bought today for around £250.
Unfortunately I cannot tell you the name of your knight, but Charlie is a good name for him!
Hi Gary,
I have attached a few photos of a clock and a brass plate.
The clock which is under a glass dome has been in the family for many generations and has been passed down to the oldest son. As such an item no longer fits into the average home my parents have suggested I sell it. The brass plate has been in the family for at least 50 years as I remember it (and a smaller 2nd) in my Grans house when I was a child. Could you please tell me if either have any value?
Many thanks, Peter
Dear Peter,
Thank you for your email and images of your clock and brass plate. The clock looks to be a French gilt clock that would originally have had two side pieces with it. The manufacturer will make a big difference to the value, and you may be able to find a maker’s name on the back or behind the bell. Unfortunately the popularity of these clocks has dropped in recent years and today your clock would probably sell for £180- 220, subject to the maker and its working condition.
Your brass tray looks rather large to be a plate, and probably is the top of a Banares table. Banares brass is the term used for brassware that originated in Banares, India. It would have had a folding 4 legged wooden stand under it. In general they are not worth a lot in today’s market, but yours does have an unusual pattern that might raise more interest.
Dear Gary,
I have a Beswick Beatrix Potter figure called ‘The Duchess’ and wondered if it is worth anything.
Thanks, Ann
Dear Ann,
Both Beswick and Royal Albert made Beatrix Potter figurines and they became very popular to collect from the 1950’s. Most of the later figurines sell under £50, but you have got a very rare one. ‘The Duchess with Flowers’ modelled by Graham Orwell as a black dog holding a bunch of multi-coloured flowers, was made in 1955. Most of the other figures were in pastel shades, but the Duchess was jet black. It proved to be unpopular and was discontinued in 1967. Since then the figure has become extremely desirable amongst collectors, and in a bidding war in 2005, it sold for £2,900! In today’s market, it should sell in excess of £1000.
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
Gary Don
