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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: KC on August 06, 2016, 01:16:22 AM

Title: Victorian Pewter Hand with Shell
Post by: KC on August 06, 2016, 01:16:22 AM: Okay, found this cutie in Louisiana. The wonderful lady I got it from said it was from an old estate and hated to part with it. I have searched this high and low without finding any others. Any thoughts/feedback/values would be happily accepted by the forum family! Any ideas for original intended usage? (obviously not a hand door knocker)

The shell appears to have a "crack" on the side of it but it is actually cast that way - there isn't a crack. It is in old/aged but tremendous shape. The inside bottom doesn't appear to have been to made to connect to anything and/or hasn't been attached but only shows expected marks for foundry work. No markings of any kind.
Title: Re: Victorian Pewter Hand with Shell
Post by: KC on August 06, 2016, 01:24:01 AM: More pics!
Title: Re: Victorian Pewter Hand with Shell
Post by: KC on August 06, 2016, 01:25:07 AM: And last 2!
Title: Re: Victorian Pewter Hand with Shell
Post by: ghopper1924 on August 06, 2016, 03:53:47 AM: I suspect this is from the late 19th century. I can't find one either, but I did find a bisque version. It's described as a baby's hand holding a shell, designed for a baby's room. I think you could put just about anything small in the shell:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/236153677/royal-worchester-parian-ware-hand-vase?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=hand%20shell

Anyway, I would guess yours is worth around $300, maybe more because it appears to be so unique. If it's from an old Louisiana estate, maybe it was made in France?
Title: Re: Victorian Pewter Hand with Shell
Post by: mart on August 06, 2016, 09:34:45 AM: I would say mint dish !! But could even be a soap dish !!
Title: Re: Victorian Pewter Hand with Shell
Post by: KC on August 06, 2016, 01:38:20 PM: I just liked it automatically (Made me think of the door knocker that Talesofthesevenseas loves so much). Figured it was Victorian. Didn't think that much about it until I couldn't find it anywhere.

The shell measures 3" to 3 1/2" and is just a hair under 1" deep at it's deepest part.
It is heavy for it's size and the real dark coloring. Paid the asking price of $12 for it.

Took it to my friends that are big collectors and their eyes lit up. They both said it was real old pewter with it being darker because of the lead content. They both were extremely impressed with the condition of the piece and believe it to be from the Victorian Era and most likely French. They hesitated to even give a value at this time because they haven't seen one like it before.
Title: Re: Victorian Pewter Hand with Shell
Post by: ghopper1924 on August 06, 2016, 04:40:43 PM: $12? Whaaaaaaa????? Sounds like you got the bargain of the year. Very nice!

Hmmm...French.....V ictorian.....sounds very familiar.

Ahem....*cough* *karmapoint* *cough*
Title: Re: Victorian Pewter Hand with Shell
Post by: KC on August 06, 2016, 05:02:20 PM: LOL ghopper1924. I plan on hanging on to it. I bought it for rings, earrings, etc.
Title: Re: Victorian Pewter Hand with Shell
Post by: mart on August 06, 2016, 05:41:10 PM: I think he means you owe him one KC !!
Title: Re: Victorian Pewter Hand with Shell
Post by: ghopper1924 on August 06, 2016, 09:02:39 PM: Quote from: mart on August 06, 2016, 05:41:10 PM
I think he means you owe him one KC !!

Yeah! ;)
Title: Re: Victorian Pewter Hand with Shell
Post by: KC on August 06, 2016, 11:43:52 PM: Yes, you did get one! So wonderfully deserved! Appreciate all the input!