MOORCROFT POTTERY

Moorcroft Pottery

Moorcroft pottery is often sold at Waddington auction sales in Toronto, so we were pleased to hear from Bill Klime, Waddington's Decorative Arts expert.

He emailed: "The extraordinary Moorcroft Spanish pattern vase (big enough to function as an umbrella stand) featured in Komments August 13... That vase, assuming it's 16-18 inches or so high and in good condition, is worth more like $15,000 at auction these days, even more than that if it's bigger."

Spanish is among the most desirable of Moorcroft's designs and that one looks to be especially well decorated. We have noticed that Moorcroft sells very well in Canada and England, but didn't realize Spanish pattern had gained in value that much in recent years. It just proves that the international market is important and the highest prices may be found far from home.

ART DECO COMB

Art Deco Comb

Q: The other day I came across a beautiful comb my husband thinks belonged to his aunt, a Hollywood starlet in the 1930s. It has a peacock feather design with green rhinestones. Do you know anything about its history and value?

A: Your art deco comb could date from the 1930s. It imitates the style of Spanish mantilla combs used for holding lace in a hairdo, a shape popular about 1910. Vintage combs do not sell as well as more wearable pieces of jewelry. It is worth about $50 to $100.