Our collectibles this month are, as always, an interesting and varied bunch. A few would be at home in many settings today, including a small and delicate porcelain figurine, a weathered duck decoy and a wall-sized metal sculpture. Two others — a pair of watercolors painted by a minor Austrian artist and a 1900-era mantel clock — will appeal primarily to collectors with more specialized tastes.
This sculpture is by the artists Curtis Freiler and Jerry Fels, who sold their work under the name C. Jere.Courtesy of the collector
C. Jere Raindrops sculpture
Q. I got this at the old Jewish Women’s council thrift store that used to be on 10th and Alder in downtown Portland. I spent $50 for it and carried it at lunchtime all the way back to my office at First and Market in the rain. It’s marked C. Jere ‘73. It’s about five feet long and can be hung horizontally or vertically.
N. B., Gladstone
A. Your sculpture is by the artists Curtis Freiler and Jerry Fels, who sold their work under the name C. Jere. Freiler was the production chief and Fels was the designer. Their goal was to make “gallery-quality art for the masses,” and their production house in California employed artisans to turn out a number of sculptures. The raindrop sculptures are among their most popular. The company still makes metal sculptures, but production is now headquartered in China. At auction, you might see a sale of $1,000-$1,500. Dealers specializing in midcentury modern design might ask $5,000-$7,000 or more for this piece.
This figurine is by the Dux Porcelain Factory of Duchov, Bohemia.Courtesy of the collector
Porcelain figurine
Q. My mother has a porcelain figurine of a girl riding a turtle. It measures 10 1/2 inches tall and is in perfect condition. Can you tell me anything about how old it is?
R.S., Eugene
A. Your figurine in the Art Nouveau style is by the Dux Porcelain Factory of Duchov, Bohemia, commonly known as Royal Dux. It was made before 1919 and likely dates to 1900-1910. Royal Dux was founded in 1853, went through difficult times during and after the two World Wars and today is again manufacturing high quality porcelain. At auction, you might see a sale of $200-$300. A dealer specializing in European porcelains might ask $700-$900 or more if in excellent, undamaged, condition.
This watercolor appears to be by the Austro-Hungarian artist Joseph Jurutka (1880-1945).Courtesy of the collector
Jurutka watercolors
I have two watercolor paintings by Jurutka — 12 inches x 16 inches and in excellent condition. Jurutka lived in my neighborhood in Austria after World War II, and I inherited these from my parents. He is well known for his oil paintings but I have not found any watercolor paintings in his portfolio. I would appreciate any information you could supply.
R.W., SE Portland
A. Your watercolors appear to be by the Austro-Hungarian artist Joseph Jurutka (1880-1945). He is most known for still life works in oil, and Hitler purchased one of his paintings specifically for his private collection. At auction, you might see estimates of $120-$180 each for these watercolors. A dealer might ask $600-$800 each for these paintings in similar nice framing.
This clock is an “Adamantine” clock by the Seth Thomas Clock Company.Courtesy of the collector
Seth Thomas mantle clock
Q. I bought this clock in an antique shop several years ago. Can you tell me anything about how old it is, and what it’s worth? It runs well. It is 11 1/2 inches tall. The movement is stamped Made in USA and 890.
P.C., Twin Falls, Idaho
A. Your clock is an “Adamantine” clock by the Seth Thomas Clock Company, of New Haven, Connecticut, and dates to circa 1900-1910. In the 1860s, French clocks in slate, onyx or marble cases became popular in the United States. These cases were expensive, and many American clock manufacturers, including Seth Thomas, produced similar looking cases made of less costly iron or wood. The company’s popular Adamantine black mantel clocks used a patented celluloid veneer made to imitate wood grain, onyx or marble and glued to a wood case. At auction, it might sell for $150-$250. A dealer specializing in American clocks might ask $500-$750 for this clock in excellent, running condition.
A dealer in collectible decoys might ask $300-$400 for this duck decoy.Courtesy of the collector
Duck Decoy
Q. I inherited a duck decoy that belonged to my grandmother’s brother. It’s 14 ½ inches long and does have a lot of wear. Can you tell me anything about it? Is there any market for such an item?
M.P., North Portland
A. Your decoy is a Bluebill Hen Decoy by the Mason Decoy Factory of Detroit, Michigan, which made decoys from 1888 to 1894 and again from 1903 to 1924. Yours dates to the first quarter of the 20th century and is their “Challenge” grade — one down from the highest grade. At auction, you might see a sale of $150-$250 for your decoy. A dealer in collectible decoys might ask $300-$400. Mason’s decoys are highly collectible, and if yours were in excellent with nearly all of the paint, it would bring three or four times these amounts.
About Today’s Collectibles
The values discussed for items featured in this column were researched by Portland appraiser Jerry l. Dobesh, ASA, an Accredited Senior Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers, with a specialty designation in Antiques & Decorative Arts. His services include providing appraisals for estate tax, charitable contribution, insurance scheduling and loss, and equitable distribution needs.
To find an appraiser, contact the American Society of Appraisers, the International Society of Appraisers, or the Appraisers Association of America. Estimates suggested in this Collectibles column are for general information purposes only and cannot be used as a basis for sale, insurance, or IRS purposes.
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