RZM Fine Arts and Antiques Inc Presents: Ask the Appraiser

So glad I recently saw this column in our local paper. I have been wondering about this vase for years. I’m embarrassed to say; I can’t even tell you what it is made of. It looks a lot like glass to me. Since my grandmother died in the 1980s it has been packed away. Until about a year ago. We had a new roof installed so we had to empty our attic, and there it was. I really like it. I looked for a name or a mark but found nothing. It stands just a bit over 8 inches and really looks beautiful when the light shines through it. We were told it was made by Tiffany, that is the reason I believe it is glass. Please inform me where it is from, and what it’s worth. We look forward to this column each week and learn so much from reading it.

Lydia S. / Westwood

Not produced by Louis Comfort Tiffany and not made of glass. Your magnificent art pottery vase was designed and decorated by the French ceramicist Jacques Sicard (1865-1923) and dates from 1905. It was sold through the Weller Potter Company, Zanesville, Ohio. This vase is signed, however faintly, along the side. Quite difficult to locate. It features a beautiful iridescent glaze, with a flowing floral motif typical of the Art Nouveau style. It is an example of the Weller Pottery Company’s line of Sicard art pottery, introduced in 1902 and discontinued sometime around 1907. Sicard’s tantalizing metallic majolica pottery was produced for a short time. Jacques Sicard came to the United States by invitation of Sam Weller, the owner of the pottery company that bears his name. He only stayed for five years. He refused to sell his special glaze formula to Sam Weller, which is the basis for your particular vase, when he left to return to France. Obviously, the pattern of your vase is named after the pattern’s creator, who actually worked in secret for two years to invent this metallic luster glaze pottery. Now that I have properly identified this item for you, let’s talk about its value. As I frequently mention in this article, the market for American Art Pottery has come down in value in the last 15 years. However, as with any antique or collectible, there are exceptions. You have an exception because it is not the typical run of the mill type of pottery that is frequently encountered. It is very special because it was not production pottery. Meaning, not many were produced. It took a great deal of time and talent to create a ceramic vase that is iridescent. Remember, you thought it was made of glass. Your vase has all the bells and whistles. It’s a signed piece, it has a beautiful aesthetic shape and the right very special glaze. Assuming your example has remained in excellent condition, meaning no chips or cracks, the current value of this vase is $3,000 USD. The fact your vase is actually signed allows it greater value than the unsigned pieces we sometimes encounter. Please take good care of this special vase that will no doubt increase in value.