It's been several years now since my parents passed on, and I have several items that I'm interested in authenticating/pricing.

Essentially, small to milk crate sized metal figures, and decorative pieces that are mostly Asian or Middle Eastern in origin (likely). There is also a signet ring that is supposedly Macedonian, but I can't prove it.

Where to turn for help?
I believe a spectrometer would be of great use, but maybe my terminology is wrong.

Thanks in advance for any input.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: apprentice,

Are there any legitimate auction houses near you ? Maybe contact a museum director or even a University Professor in the history department . Somebody will be able to point you in the right direction .

Post up some pics. You might be surprised what the good folks here on the forum are capable of.

Absent that, I would head to the largest University around in the hopes they have an Archaeology department. Someone there just might be of some help. He/she should be paid for their time.

Years ago, I inherited an oil painting by a European artist. I was curious to see if it had any value so I took some pictures and contacted Sotheby's. Unfortunately, I didn't have a hidden masterpiece but they did get back to me. I'd try them.

Or if you have time, look at the Antique's Roadshow to see if they've ever been in your approximate area. They used to list their experts by category, you could figure out the expert(s) you need from that and contact them.

The university idea is good if they have an expert in your field(s) needed. I did that too for a fossil I received. The professor got back to me quickly with what it was. I then did some Google to determine what its value was based on its size and specie

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BB61,

quote:

Originally posted by apprentice:
It's been several years now since my parents passed on, and I have several items that I'm interested in authenticating/pricing.

Essentially, small to milk crate sized metal figures, and decorative pieces that are mostly Asian or Middle Eastern in origin (likely). There is also a signet ring that is supposedly Macedonian, but I can't prove it.

Where to turn for help?
I believe a spectrometer would be of great use, but maybe my terminology is wrong.

Thanks in advance for any input.

If you live in or near a biggish city there will be antique or art dealers who can help. Even if they don't know about your items, they will know who does know.

Gustofer,
Ugliest bad guy target. . . .ever!

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

quote:

Originally posted by apprentice:
It's been several years now since my parents passed on, and I have several items that I'm interested in authenticating/pricing.

Essentially, small to milk crate sized metal figures, and decorative pieces that are mostly Asian or Middle Eastern in origin (likely). There is also a signet ring that is supposedly Macedonian, but I can't prove it.

Where to turn for help?
I believe a spectrometer would be of great use, but maybe my terminology is wrong.

Thanks in advance for any input.

If you live in or near a biggish city there will be antique or art dealers who can help. Even if they don't know about your items, they will know who does know.

But be wary there is crooks everywhere, if the appraiser offers to buy get a second opinion. And you must expect that you will not get full value unless you sell it yourself, after all, business is about making money.

My first thought was Sotheby's as well. A museum might be useful, too.
Good luck! It’d be interesting to see images, if you’d care to share. I’d be curious about the ring.

I'd post a pic of the ring, but apparently I need help with how to do it from Flikr. I figured it out, but there has to be an easier way.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: apprentice,

bump

^ melt value only (92.5?)

I’d get a museum curator to have a look, if you can.

Found a coin dealer locally with a spectrometer that took a reading for free. It's sterling, but that was about all he could say. Here are the details from the machine:

# 3707 precious metals (not sure if relevant)
Audit disabled (again, not sure)
Ag 92.38 5.15
Cu 7.62 2.60

Think that would be enough to determine origin and/or age?

Age can only be determined by features such as wear and style. Wear is relatively low and I can't speak to style except to say it appears to me to be a bit Art Deco, so I'm thinking late 1930's.