[Polygirl]

I have 2 items that I would like to get appraised. Does anyone know of a local antique appraiser?

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by Polygirl

I have 2 items that I would like to get appraised. Does anyone know of a local antique appraiser?

What kind of things do you have???

[Polygirl]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

What kind of things do you have???

I have a lamp shade that may or may not be a Tiffany, and an antique serving dish and spoon.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by Polygirl

I have a lamp shade that may or may not be a Tiffany, and an antique serving dish and spoon.

If you know any of the history regarding your lamp shade, that could be important. Is your lamp shade part of a lamp on a base or a chandelier? Most of the lamp bases were bronze.

Practically all genuine Tiffanys have marked Tiffany Studios New York on them and may include a number on a small piece of bronze that was soldered onto the bottom of the shade.

There is an auction house that has dealt with genuine Tiffanys for many years and is a reliable source for information. Fontaine'''s Auction Gallery - Upcoming Auctions

Does your serving dish have a hallmark on the underside of the piece? Is it glass, ceramic, or porcelain? Is anything written on the underside of the spoon? Do they go together or are the dish and spoon two separate pieces that you simply use together?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Polygirl

I have 2 items that I would like to get appraised. Does anyone know of a local antique appraiser?

Call Traditions Antique Mall in Wildwood. There may be someone there to give you an idea of the value of your items.
Traditions Antique Mall
Another place for consideration Dudley’s Auction in Inverness, they do professional appraisals.
Dudley's Auction

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by Polygirl

I have a lamp shade that may or may not be a Tiffany, and an antique serving dish and spoon.

The why of your appraisal is an important question. Insurance for theft is often done with jewelry. It is an interesting GAME. The piece is appraised at roughly TWICE what it is worth. Should the item be stolen insurance will pay roughly half of the appraisal. The insurance buyer, thinks the insurance is more valuable than what it really is.

Assuming your serving dish and spoon are silver. If, it is sterling it will be marked. If, it is plated it has no real value.

[skippy05]

Donate the items to Goodwill and move along to better uses of your time. With the limited storage found in most Villages' homes, your garage will thank you. Afterward, Google some episodes of Antique Roadshow to watch on Youtube for entertainment and dreaming purposes.

[mkjelenbaas]

Originally Posted by Polygirl

I have 2 items that I would like to get appraised. Does anyone know of a local antique appraiser?

What info did you get when you did a google? Just curious.

[NotGolfer]

I had two wall scounces that were given to me from my parent's estate. They had told me the glass portions were baccarrac (sp) which is particularly beautiful. I tried to google to see if I could find similar online without success. I took them over to the antique place in Wildwood, maybe it wasn't the right place. A woman there said no one was available to give an appraisal but she named a price. I figured she would take them, sell them herself but they weren't doing me any good laying in a drawer so I went for it. When we downsized I learned people aren't as interested in the old stuff anymore. I couldn't even give stuff away, much less sell it in a garage sale. We had a lot of collectibles and some antiques as well. The kids don't want it neither, so however you can get rid of it, do so.

My parents had been antique collectors for years and had many beautiful items. When they didn't need them anymore---either due to their passing or downsizing---they divided some of it with us kids. Back then, they had a treasure trove. It's a good thing they're gone now as they'd be sad to see what was once deemed "valuable" isn't so much anymore.

[024engine]

Be careful. There are people that will try and get your things for much less than they are worth. There are some of those people right here in The Villages. BEWARE

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

I had two wall scounces that were given to me from my parent's estate. They had told me the glass portions were baccarrac (sp) which is particularly beautiful. I tried to google to see if I could find similar online without success. I took them over to the antique place in Wildwood, maybe it wasn't the right place. A woman there said no one was available to give an appraisal but she named a price. I figured she would take them, sell them herself but they weren't doing me any good laying in a drawer so I went for it. When we downsized I learned people aren't as interested in the old stuff anymore. I couldn't even give stuff away, much less sell it in a garage sale. We had a lot of collectibles and some antiques as well. The kids don't want it neither, so however you can get rid of it, do so.

My parents had been antique collectors for years and had many beautiful items. When they didn't need them anymore---either due to their passing or downsizing---they divided some of it with us kids. Back then, they had a treasure trove. It's a good thing they're gone now as they'd be sad to see what was once deemed "valuable" isn't so much anymore.

"What was once deemed "valuable" isn't so much anymore." It, depends. Often people
pay far more than stuff is worth. Stuff like Franklin Mint. They are making collectables that will never be worth what they sell them for.