KOVELS ANTIQUES
Kovels Antiques: Vintage stands for houseplants hard to find 
Starting in about 1885, plants were among the decorations in a house because central heating kept homes – and plants – warm in the winter, and glass windows let light into most homes.
By By Terry Kovel , November 09, 2012
Kovels Antiques: Halloween pottery popular then and now
Halloween decorations today include jack-o-lanterns, black cats, spiders, bats, ghosts, vampires, witches and other spooky, scary things. But in past years, many of these creatures were not threatening.
By By Terry Kovel , November 02, 2012
Kovels Antiques: Some furniture made to fit just one room
Most furniture is made to fit in almost any room, but sometimes furniture is made to fit the room – to look as if it’s built into a wall.
By By Terry Kovel , October 25, 2012
Kovels Antiques: Antique figure meant to bring fertility to bride
Babies don’t always arrive as soon as they are wanted. Today a woman might consider getting medical help to conceive, but since ancient times the fertility symbol was thought to be an aid.
By By Terry Kovel , October 18, 2012
Kovels Antiques: Mystery part of collecting fun
Part of the fun of being a collector is trying to identify recently discovered old tools and, if possible, trace the past owners of the finds.
By By Terry Kovel , October 12, 2012
Kovels Antiques: ‘J.P’ copies sell almost as well as the originals
Jacob Petit (1796-1868) was a talented porcelain painter who worked for the Sevres factory in France, then opened his own shop. He moved his company to Paris in 1869. In less than 10 years, he had hired about 200 people to make and decorate porcelains.
By By Terry Kovel , October 05, 2012
Kovels Antiques: Collectors fight over unusual furniture pieces
Sometimes an unusual piece of furniture is offered for sale, and many collectors fight over it. A “Dr. Byrne’s Medical Examination Chair” was offered by Skinner Auctioneers of Boston.
By By Terry Kovel , September 28, 2012
Kovels Antiques: Fig-shaped containers still popular
The first fig trees were brought to America from Spain in 1520. A ripe fig is very sweet, so it was often used when sugar was not available.
By By Terry Kovel , September 21, 2012
Kovels Antiques: Puzzle mugs meant to be practical joke
Put some fun into your collections and start hunting for old or new figurines, plates and drinking mugs that were meant to be jokes.
Puzzle mugs date back to the 1700s. They were popular in taverns. When a patron was tipsy, the bartender poured ale into a mug that hid a realistic pottery frog at the bottom. Empty the mug and the frog appeared while other patrons laughed.
By By Terry Kovel , September 14, 2012
Kovels Antiques: Chinese inkcake in demand, even in the West
For the past few years, auctions of Chinese antiques have attracted many bidders and high bids. The auctions have included many items that were not recognized by American bidders.
By By Terry Kovel , September 07, 2012
Kovels Antiques: Cricket not just a bug but also multi-use stool
A “cricket” is an insect, but it also may be a footstool. The cricket (footstool) was usually no more than 12 inches high. It was used as a seat for very young children in school or as a foot rest.
By By Terry Kovel , August 31, 2012
Kovels Antiques: Iridescent glass popular with collectors
Ancient Roman iridescent glass dug up in Israel is now being featured in modern jewelry. One of the jewelry designers told viewers of a late night shopping channel that the thin layer of iridescence called “patina” was taken from the ancient glass and assembled flake by flake on a base used to create new jewelry.
By By Terry Kovel , August 24, 2012
Kovels Antiques: Names on toys can create more of a mystery
Knowing the name of the maker of any collectible or antique adds value, but sometimes a name creates a mystery. There are many vintage children’s toys marked “Steelcraft,” but books or online searches don’t quickly turn up the history of the mark.
By By Terry Kovel , August 17, 2012
Kovels Antiques: Vintage bells for towers are difficult to find
Often when restoring a historic church or school, a large bronze bell is needed for the bell tower. The bells are difficult to find because many have been sold as scrap and melted, and others are too heavy to be moved for a reasonable price.
By By Terry Kovel , August 10, 2012
Kovels Antiques: Tobacco jars have subtle humor
Why would a tobacco jar from the 19th century be shaped like a lady in a long, full dress? Tobacco jars were made in many unexpected shapes, and there are many figural tobacco-jar collectors today. Most jars were made from 1850 to 1900 in Bohemia and nearby countries.
By By Terry Kovel , August 03, 2012
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