Featured Majolica Trinket Box (Lobster/Crab): circa? ID maker's mark? Palissy? Portuguese?

This looks like the type of thing Antiques Roadshow likes to feature. I just checked their tour dates, and it unfortunately looks like yesterday was the last one for a while. If you can hold out and are able to attend one of their future shows (somewhere), you might have a good chance of getting a reasonable estimate. And maybe even a chance to be on the TV. Congrats (and good luck)!

 

Because he knows that it will bring a very nice price. He's hoping you aren't smart enough to do the research.
Take your time.

 

Great thought! That would be a lot of fun! I'd enjoy talking to some of the appraisers about the path they took to become successful in the field. Researching antiques and determining their value are two of my favorite parts of the antique business - second only to bidding at auction!

 

I think it right to share something with everyone who has contributed to this thread. In terms of "holding out" (as UncleChuck said) we are in no rush to sell.

However, my mother and I have been praying about our financial situation and how long our budgets will allow us to stay in our house (the home I grew up in). It looks like we have 2 years left till the financial picture will force us to move.

That is a big thing for me and a huge thing for my mother to deal with.

If the Tiffany piece brings a high price it will change the whole situation. Both my mother and I would not be rushed but we could calmly down-size, determine where we want to live and have control over planning the move.

So, when I say thank you for your help - I sincerely mean it. My mother sends her thanks to everyone as well!

-Jason

 

Wishing you all the very best!!

About AR......one does not have to wait for their tours.

You can contact them via email and provide good photos. They will contact you if they are interested, and give you an approximate selling price.

They hold auctions through out the year and would advise you the best one for your piece.

 

Jason, you might want to get a few slightly better photos for emailing places. (Be careful with this box when photographing!) Or at least describe everything you see, numbers on the hinge, etc. Tell them it was a family piece, too.

Excellent advice above from various posts above. Finger's crossed this winds up being a game changer for your financial situation. Would be a wonderful thing. Hoping and cheering for you. Do keep us posted.

 

Hello antiquers!

First, I don’t know how to thank the members of the community that contributed to the research of this antique. I honestly could never thank you enough!

The box is indeed the artwork of Louis Comfort Tiffany. My mother and I had the box appraised by Tony Meir – a respected authority on Tiffany. Here is a copy of a portion of his appraisal:

“It is my opinion you have an authentic circa 1900 L.C. Tiffany Studios Enamel on Repousse Copper Crab and Lobster Box (pin tray or trinket). As I sensed this was an important potentially extremely valuable piece, I consulted an auction owner friend, a Tiffany gallery owner friend and a past Tiffany glass museum curator friend… It is typical of the beautiful iridescent colors and details of the copper enamel items Tiffany Studios produced right around 1900. The Tiffany metal furnaces were established in 1898 at the Corona glass house.”

I can’t stress how beautiful those iridescent colors became to me. Every evening I would go to admire the box and watch as the vibrant colors became a pool of iridescent magnificence as the last light of dusk faded to night.

I miss the box. It was sold at Rago Auctions in New Jersey last November. The realized price was $70,000.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

-Jason

 

Awesome Jason. Good for you!!!

 

What an amazing story, Jason!!

 

That is wonderful, Jason, congratulations!

I can imagine. Photos never do that special effect justice.

 

Hi Jason,
Congratulations on the sale!!!!!!!!!
greg

 

That is such an amazing story! So very happy for you and your mom.

 

I'd say that's a result.

 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I can well imagine how you must miss it, but congratulations on having it showcased in the catalogue & the respectable price achieved. Hope it at least gave you a little bit of a financial cushion.

 

Have you ever been any happier to have been wrong?

 

I had completely forgotten about this thread. cxgirl did a great job tracking down others. Thanks Bronwen for tagging me.

Jason -
What a wonderful ending.
I'm very very happy for you.

 

Congratulations, Jason, and DO take your time!! There are a LOT of big pockets out there!!!! WHOOPS!! Looks like I tuned in late, but not too late to offer CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SALE!!!!! It's always hard to sell SUCH a beautiful and WONDERFUL piece!!!! Knowing YOU had it and loved it all that time has to be some consolation, and gave you and your Mom time to downsize more easily! I'm sure if it hasn't gone to a museum, it's gone to a good home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

woo hoo, wonderful to hear Jason thanks for coming back and letting us know