This Swedish silver spoon tells a family story. What is it worth?

Treasured family heirlooms and interesting antique shop finds are among the pieces our collectors have inquired about this month. We’re looking at a silver spoon and pressed glass set with family histories. The value of such family mementos is often far more sentimental than intrinsic. Additionally, this month's inquiries widely range from an ornate pair of opera glasses to a kitchen clock from a middle-class home and a pair of 19th-century cast iron bench sides.

This family heirloom was made by Bengt Tornberg of Linköping, Sweden.Courtesy of the collector

This silver spoon has been given to the oldest daughter in my family for the last several generations. My grandfather's family was from Sweden. It is 9 inches long and has an engraved inscription. I would love to know the age and if it is from Sweden. – C.H., Beaverton

Your table spoon is indeed Swedish. The marks identify it as being made by Bengt Tornberg of Linköping, Sweden. The "A4″ stamp is the date code, which dates your spoon to 1831. The engraved inscription translates to "For long term and faithful service," and the terminal (the end farthest from the bowl) is engraved with the initials "IH" and "MCL." Your spoon was likely a gift to a maid or house servant. Likely the receiver was "IH," and the giver was "MCL." It's possible that research in Sweden could help you identify both parties, if that might interest your family. At an auction, you might see an estimate of $30-$50 for such a spoon. Dealers specializing in antique continental silver may ask $100 - $150 for Swedish silver spoons of similar age, size, and quality in excellent condition.

This "kitchen clock" was made by the Waterbury Clock Company of Waterbury, Connecticut.Courtesy of the collector

We bought this oak shelf clock in a Troutdale antique shop several years ago. It runs well. It is 23 inches tall. What can you tell me about it? – J.B., Vancouver

Your clock is known as a "kitchen clock" and was made by the Waterbury Clock Company of Waterbury, Connecticut, and likely dates to 1880-1900. Waterbury made clocks from 1837 to 1944, when it was renamed the United States Time Corporation. As you know, your clock is key wound and is an eight-day movement. The small wheel at the center of the dial is an alarm that can be set. The case is of pressed oak. This type of clock with a decorative pressed wood case is often referred to as a "gingerbread clock," as they were often seen used in Victorian-era homes, which often had ornate exterior decoration, such as one might add to a gingerbread house. While it is of the same period, the pendulum of your clock is likely by the New Haven Clock Company. The dial on this pendulum can be adjusted in one-minute-a-day increments to keep it running accurately. At an auction, you might see an estimate of $50-$100 for this type of clock. An antique clock dealer may ask $200-$300 for this type of clock if running and in excellent, all-original condition.

These opera glasses are by the Laval Company of Paris.Courtesy of the collector

I have had this pair of French opera glasses for years. What can you tell me about them? They are 4 inches wide, and the case is 3 inches tall. – H.L., Gresham

Your opera glasses are by the Laval Company of Paris and date to the second half of the 19th century. They appear to be of gilt brass construction. The eyepieces, adjusting wheel and covers of the barrels are nicely executed in mother of pearl. The case appears to be leather with a satin lining. At an auction, similar opera glasses have sold in the $75-$125 price range. Dealers specializing in antique decorative artworks might ask $300-$400, or even more, for such a pair of opera glasses if in excellent condition with clear optics.

These pieces are pressed (machine-molded) glass and are considered Depression glass.Courtesy of the collector

My grandmother gave me this set of purple glass cups and saucers and a white creamer and sugar in the same pattern. She said they used them in the Depression. The cups are 3 inches high, the plate is 9 inches wide, and the cream and sugar are 4 ¼ inches high. I have four each of the cups, saucers, and plates. I’m curious about what they might be worth. – J.E., Portland

Your glasswares were made by the Hazel-Atlas Glass Company of Wheeling, West Virginia. They are pressed (machine-molded) glass and are considered Depression glass. They are in the "Newport" pattern, which collectors sometimes call the "Hairpin" pattern. Your cups and saucers are in the Hazel-Atlas "Amethyst" color and were made circa 1936-1940. Your creamer and sugar are of Hazel-Atlas "Platonite" glass, a white glass that is more translucent than milk glass. These pieces also likely date to circa 1936-1940, though they may have been made into the mid-1940s. At an auction, you might expect an estimate of $60-$100 for your group of glassware. If you were looking to replace these, dealers specializing in Depression glass often ask $15-$25 each for cups and saucer sets, $15-$30 each for dinner plates, and $20-$30 for creamer and sugars of the types you have. Therefore, readily replacing these might cost $140-$250, not including shipping costs if necessary.

These bench sides appear to date to the last quarter of the 19th century.Courtesy of the collector

I was given a pair of cast iron bench sides back in 1970. The original slats are long gone, as are several generations of replacements. I was getting a new set ready to mount and thought it might be fun to learn more about them. There are no foundry or maker's marks to be seen on either side of either piece. I believe they were old already when they were given to me. I’m just curious as to their age and origins. – P.F., Portland

Your bench sides are likely English. Based on the quality of the casting, they appear to date to the last quarter of the 19th century. Antique cast iron is sought after, and you might see an auction estimate of $400-$600 for this pair of bench sides. If you can find a dealer selling just the bench sides, you might expect to see this type of pair priced at $900-$1,200. Dealers ask $3,500-$5,500, or even more, for cast iron garden benches in excellent condition, even fitted with new lumber.

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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