regards
george
http://www.antiquesales.com.au
Bob wrote:
>
> I ran into an antique painting in a local New England shop
> over the weekend. As I am unfamiliar with the value of
> antique paintings, I am hoping that someone here might be
> able to give me an inkling of it's possible value.
>
> It's a "typical" painting of a sailing ship in harbor. It's
> a "known" ship in a known harbor. Painted on the canvas is
> an inscription by the artist "such and such a ship, 1850" and
> the shop is selling it as an antique from that approximate time.
> The painting is oil, measures approximately 18 x 15 and is in
> very good condition. Unfortunately, it appears to be unsigned by
> the artist and the shop is selling it as "artist unknown". The
> shop is not really an antique dealer but is certainly knowledgeable
> in the area of antiques and reputable. I'd expect that their
> knowledge of antiques far exceeds mine.
>
> I don't think that I could reasonably build up the sort of knowledge
> required to actually establish a value for it myself. They are asking
> around $300 for it. I know it might come down to a question of
> "what's it worth to me as a painting"... but I was hoping someone
> might be able to give me some idea of the possible value. Could/would
> a painting that is unsigned but from this era be worth this much ?
> Or is the fact that it is unsigned mean it has little monetary
> (although maybe some artistic) value ?
>
> thanks,
> bob