In 19th century, shells proved popular decoration

Shell-shaped decorative objects were very popular during the 19th century. There were trinket boxes covered in tiny shells, counter bells made with several mother-of-pearl shells put together into a container, or nautilus shells used as part of cleverly shaped lamps that held a special light bulb.

Some large conch shells were kept whole as decorations, often with the addition of a cameo carved into part of the shell. Glassmakers adapted the shell shape to their medium, and during the late 1800s, many “shells” were made of colored glass that was decorated with enamel paint or held in elaborate metal frames.

A shell-shaped cranberry glass watch holder with enameled decorations was auctioned recently. The almost egg-shaped glass was held in a gilt metal frame with leaves, flowers and a bird finial.

The unusual piece, probably American, sold for $708 at a Conestoga auction in Pennsylvania. It was lined with padded fabric to protect the watch. A pocket watch kept in a holder on a table near the bed served as a bedroom clock.

Q. My husband’s grandmother left us a two-door chest that has intricate painting and detail. The label on the back reads “Elgin A Simonds Company, Syracuse, N.Y.” Can you tell me more about this and what it might be worth?

A. Elgin A. Simonds was a business partner of Gustav Stickley in the late 1890s in Syracuse. In 1898, Stickley bought out Simonds. Then Simonds bought the Hayden & Couch Chair Manufacturing Co. of Rochester, N.Y., and it became the Brown & Simonds Co. That company was renamed the Elgin A. Simonds Co. in 1901. The Simonds Co. made faithful reproductions of traditional furniture. Your chest probably was made in the early 1920s as a reproduction of a William and Mary chest. It looks like walnut, and the two painted panels with classical figures adds to its value. It’s worth about $750.

Q. I own an 1893 first-edition crepe paper book, “The Story of Coodles – the only Coodles.” How rare is this, and what is the value?

A. Crepe-paper books (chirimen-bon in Japanese) were first published by Takejiro Hasegawa, a Japanese publisher, in 1886. A series of children’s books were made for the Western market. They were written in English and other languages, and were illustrated with Japanese woodblock prints. After the pages were printed, the paper was dampened, separated with grooved cardboard molds and pressed using a special lever press. The process was repeated several times before binding the pages. Usually the pages were printed on one side, folded in half with the printed side showing, and bound together with the folded side out. First-edition books usually are worth more than later editions. You should take the book to a rare book dealer to see what it is worth.

Q. My mother gave me a small box, 61/2 by 33/4 by 11/4 inches, with five small dolls inside. Each doll is 31/2 inches tall. It says on the top of the box “Best Maid Quintuplets,” “No. 63077” and “Made in Japan.” Is this of any value?

A. The Dionne quintuplets, Yvonne, Annette, Cecile, Emilie and Marie, were born in Canada on May 28, 1934. They were the first quintuplets to survive infancy. When they were 4 months old, they became wards of the Canadian government and were put under the guardianship of Dr. Dafoe, the doctor who delivered them. The girls lived in the Dafoe nursery, where they became a major tourist attraction. They returned to live with their family in 1943. Thousands of special dolls and souvenirs were made picturing the quints at different ages. Annette and Cecile are still alive. The value of your dolls is about $20.

Tip

Some vintage buyers are getting a chrome blender to display like a work of art in the kitchen. And sometimes it is even used to mix drinks.

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