Dear Sara:
My mom died and she left a lot of ceramic items that she and my grandmother made over the years. Grandma’s ceramics are really old so I think I need your help. I want to sell some of them but some I cannot part with. Are these valuable? Lisa M. Greenville
Women have been making and painting ceramics for a very long time and it is nice that you have some of Grandma’s work since they are “low fire” and not as sturdy as hand-thrown earthenwares. Condition is a huge value element in all ceramic items and, if Grandma’s work is in good condition, that’s a good thing. Although you value these items for your family connection, these types of “poured” or “slipware” ceramics are somewhat mass produced and not very valuable to the big world. A standard rule of thumb for most decorative items is that the more carefully done, the more fine detail, the more valuable. The tall vase with the hand-painted Pueblo motif is more desirable than the turtle. The pieces you photographed would sell in a thrift store in the $3 to $7 range. A garage sale is where these things sell commonly. Enjoy Mom and Granny’s work
Antique Appraisal By Sara Conklin
