Antique Fairies

Satyrs

Antique Fairies Admin — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 10:20:16 +0000

Technically not a fairy but in Greek mythology, satyrs are male nature spirits with ears and a tail resembling those of a horse, as well as a permanent, exaggerated erection. Early artistic representations sometimes include horse-like legs, but, by the sixth century BC, they were more often represented with human legs. Reference: Wikipedia

Below are some examples and price guides of antiques and vintage items which depict satyrs including an Etruscan bronze figure and a Fantasia figure.

An Etruscan bronze figure of a dancing satyr
Circa 5th-4th Century B.C.
8.2cm high

While both the Greeks and Etruscans were fond of figures of dancing satyrs, those of the Etruscans tended to be more playful and humorous in their depictions. For other satyrs

Sold for £1,536 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2022

AN ETRUSCAN BANDED AGATE SCARAB WITH A DANCING SATYR
CIRCA 500 B.C.
¾ in. (1.9 cm.) long

Sold for USD 8,190 at Christie’s in 2023

Ugo Zaccagnini (1868 – 1937), Disney Fantasia figure of a Satyr with Pipes atop a tree stump. Base modelled with stylised red, yellow and blue flowers. Small surface chip to back of stump.

Sold for £620 at Potteries Auctions Ltd in 2023

Round wooden end table featuring inlaid marquetry surface in acanthus leaf motif, alongside curved legs, single drawer, lower pointed shelf, and brass framework accenting in satyr and foliate motifs. Some surface wear and scratching, especially to upper surface veneer sections. Size: 17.5″dia x 29.5″h

Sold for US$300 at Wardlow Auctions Inc in 2023

Original illustration for a cartoon, showing a uniformed ranger leading away a manacled satyr, in front of a startled picnic party. Ink and grisaille wash on Whatman cold press illustration board, signed “Chas Addams” at lower left. 16 7/8 x 13 3/4 inches (43 x 35 cm) on sheet 19 1/2 x 15 1/8 inches. The sheet with a hard central fold that has cracked the backing of the illustration board, although the surface paper with the drawing is merely creased. Corners a bit bumped.

Sold for US$7,500 at Doyle New York in 2023

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A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Antique Fairies Admin — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 07:53:06 +0000

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a comedy play written by William Shakespeare in about 1595 or 1596. The play is set in Athens, and consists of several subplots that revolve around the marriage of Theseus and Hippolyta. One subplot involves a conflict among four Athenian lovers. Another follows a group of six amateur actors rehearsing the play which they are to perform before the wedding. Both groups find themselves in a forest inhabited by fairies who manipulate the humans and are engaged in their own domestic intrigue. The play is one of Shakespeare’s most popular and is widely performed. Reference: Wikipedia

Below are some examples and price guides of antiques and books depicting A Midsummer Night’s Dream including a Sadler teapot and and a play illustrated by Arthur Rackham.

A TICKET TO THE PREMIERE OF A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Warner Bros., 1935. Extravagantly designed ticket to the star-studded premiere of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, framed. Accompanied by de Havilland’s 1939 copy of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (annotated but not by de Havilland); two souvenir programs from the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago; and a souvenir program from the Milwaukee Auditorium.

Sold for US$1,530 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2023

[ILLUSTRATED BOOKS]. [RACKHAM, Arthur (1867-1939), illustrator]. — SHAKESPEARE, William (1564-1616). A Midsummer Night’s Dream. London and New York: William Heinemann; Doubleday, Page & Co., 1908. Folio.
40 color tipped-in plates and 30 drawings by Rackham. Original gilt decorated and lettered parchment vellum, original silk ties intact, top edge gilt, others uncut (few spots of light soiling to spine, top edge bumped at rear joint, else fine).

LIMITED EDITION, number 680 of 1000 copies SIGNED BY RACKHAM. A fine and well-preserved copy. Latimore and Haskell, p. 32; Riall, p. 87.

Sold for US$1,500 at Potter & Potter Auctions in 2023

Sadler Staffordshire porcelain teapot with William Shakespeare A Midsummer Nights Dream motif. Defect to print on one side, small chip to interior rim. Measures approx. 7.5 x 3.75 x 6.5 inches. Trademarked to underside.

Sold for US$100 at The Benefit Shop Foundation Inc. in 2023

Forster Robson (fl.1888-1906 British) ”A Midsummer’s Night Dream” 1893 Watercolor and Gouache on Board 30”x40” Image. Museum quality pre-raphaelite composition with nymph. Signed and dated l.r. Original title label on verso. Ornate gilt framing 39”x49”. Excellent condition.

Sold for US$3,500 at MBA Seattle Auction in 2023

A stipple etching after the work by Henry Fuseti depicting a scene from Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. Subjects in print include: Oberon, Queen of the Fairies, Puck, Bottom, and Fairies attending. Originally from “A Collection of Prints, from pictures painted for the purpose of illustrating the dramatic works of Shakespeare, by the artists of Great Britain,” 1803 published by Boydell.

Sold for US$200 at Locati, LLC in 2023

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Elves

Antique Fairies Admin — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 14:31:52 +0000

Elves are a type of humanoid supernatural being in Germanic mythology and folklore. They appear especially in North Germanic mythology, being mentioned in the Icelandic Poetic Edda and Snorri Sturluson’s Prose Edda. Reference: Wikipedia. Nowadays, most people associate elves with Christmas as Santa’s little helpers but many authors and artists have also depicted them throughout time.

Below are some examples and price guides of antiques and vintage items which depict elves including a Harry Potter House Elf coin and a Meissen figure of Oberon, king of the fairies.

England, c. 1925,
circular plate with edge to edge decoration in polychrome enamels and gilding, printed mark, dia. 10 5/8 in.

Sold for US$4,080 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2022

2021 Niue 1 oz Proof Gold Coin: Dobby the House Elf Harry Potter

Sold for US$3,100 at Golden Gate Auctioneer in 2023

2021 PEZ Gift Set w/Elf Dispenser & 6x 5g Silver Wafers

Sold for US$145 at 3 Kings Auction in 2023

Oberon, Meissen, after 1973, 1st choice, elf figure from the series Midsummer Night’s Dream, designed by Peter Strang in 1969, model no. 70698, polychrome painted and ornamental gilding, h. 40 cm

Sold for €3,000 at Historia Auctionata in 2023

1948 Whistle & 3-Elves Metal Sign TAC 8.25

Single sided tin (SST) embossed sign has extra color and shine. The border has been repainted and has a nail hole in elf’s ear. Dated 1948. Measures 18.5″ x 54.5″. Rated 8.25 by The Authentication Company (TAC #041914).

Sold for US$2,600 at Richmond Auctions in 2023

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The Faerie Queene

Antique Fairies Admin — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 10:32:25 +0000

The Faerie Queene is an English epic poem by Edmund Spenser. Books I–III were first published in 1590, then republished in 1596 together with books IV–VI. It is one of the longest poems in the English language and is also the work in which Spenser invented the verse form known as the Spenserian stanza. Reference: Wikipedia

Below are some examples and price guides of editions of The Faerie Queene including a copy for Lord Byron’s library and an edition from 1590.

The first collected edition of Spenser’s poetry, this copy from Lord Byron’s library, with his bookplate. Spenser described his epic romance as a poem “cloudily enwrapped in Allegorical devises.” It earned him a pension from Queen Elizabeth and fame as one of the greatest English poets of his age.

Sold for USD 17,640 at Christie’s in 2022

SPENSER, EDMUND. The Faerie Queene.
London: J. Brindley, 1751. Three volumes. Contemporary calf, gilt edges, neatly rebacked with gilt lettered spine labels and blindstamped decorations. 10 3/4 x 8 inches (27.25 x 20.25 cm); Volume I: [2], lxiii, [1], xxxvii, [3], 453 pp.; Volume II: [2], 450; Volume III: [2], 440; with 29 (of 32) engraved plates after W. Kent. Rubbing and wear to boards and edges, contents with occasional light toning and pale spots.

Sold for $535 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2022

SPENSER (EDMUND)
Faerie Queene, 19 original parts bound in 6 vol., LIMITED TO 1000 COPIES, edited by Thomas J. Wise, plates, illustrations and decorations by Walter Crane, light spotting mostly on endpapers, publisher’s white cloth, gilt-blocked illustration on upper covers with lettering in red, gilt lettering on spines, original red pictorial wrappers bound in, t.e.g., others untrimmed, spines toned, covers soiled and bumped, 4to, George Allen, 1897-1896

Sold for £600 at Bonham’s in 2023

1715 Edmund Spenser Fairy Queen Illustrated John Hughes 5v English Literature

Sold for US$355 at Schilb Antiquarian Rare Books in 2022

Spenser, Edmund (1552?-1599) The Faerie Queene. Disposed into Twelve Bookes, Fashioning XII. Morall Vertues. [and] The Faerie Queene, S

Sold for US$30,000 at Swann Auction Galleries in 2022

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Fairy Art Prints

Antique Fairies Admin — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 09:03:21 +0000

Fairy art prints are an excellent way to start a collection of fairy art. Prints are more affordable than water colors or oil paintings but can still provide an introduction to the fairy art world. There are various prints to choose from whether you want lithographs, book plates or even advertising posters.

Below are some examples and price guides of fairy art prints and fairy tale prints including an original Red Riding Hood poster and a gelatin silver print of the Cottingley fairies.

Thomas Ryder (1746-1810) Etching

Sold for US$200 at Locati, LLC in 2023

Original 1930s British Theater Poster Red Riding Hood

Letterpress Print ca. 1935
29.9 x 20 in. (76 x 51 cm)
Printer: Taylors, Wombwell
Condition Details: (A) mounted on linen

Sold for US$100 at PosterConnection, Inc. in 2022

Barker, Cicely Mary C1940 Lot of 24 Flower-Fairy Prints

Lithographs Published C1935-45 by Blackie & Son, London & Glasgow for the “Flower-Fairies” Series by Cicely Mary Barker. Reverse side blank. Paper Size: 5.5 x 4 inch (14 x 10cm) Good Condition

Sold for US$120 at Albion Auctions in 2021

ELSIE WRIGHT The Cottingley Fairies – Alice and the photograph of Frances ‘Alice’ Griffiths, taken by her cousin Elsie Wright, July 1917, printed by Harold Snelling, c.1920, sepia gelatin silver print, mounted on original brown card with embossed brown title and copyright stamp to lower margin, with original brown card wrapper with tissue, image 11cm x 15cm, with a first edition of Arthur Conan Doyle The Coming of the Fairies Hodder & Stoughton 1922 (splits to spine)

Sold for £1,500 at Flints Auctions Ltd in 2019

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Andrew Lang

Antique Fairies Admin — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 14:55:00 +0000

Andrew Lang FBA (31 March 1844 – 20 July 1912) was a Scottish poet, novelist, literary critic, and contributor to the field of anthropology. He is best known as a collector of folk and fairy tales including The Langs’ Fairy Books, a series of 25 collections of true and fictional stories for children published between 1889 and 1910 by Andrew Lang and his wife, Leonora Blanche Alleyne. The best known books of the series are the 12 collections of fairy tales also known as Andrew Lang’s “Coloured” Fairy Books or Andrew Lang’s Fairy Books of Many Colors. In all, the volumes feature 798 stories, besides the 153 poems in The Blue Poetry Book. Reference: Wikipedia

Below are some examples and price guides of books by Andrew Lang including a complete set of first edition Fairy Books in original cloth bindings.

A complete set of first editions of all 12 of Andrew Lang’s famous series of Fairy Books, all in their original cloth bindings decorated in gilt.

Sold for GBP 6,875 inc. premium at Christie’s in 2019

The Crimson Fairy Book, first edition, plates and illustrations by H.J. Ford, 8 in colour, some slight cracking at gutter, original pictorial crimson cloth, gilt, very lightly rubbed, mostly to spine ends and corners, overall a bright and clean copy, g.e., 8vo, 1903.

Sold for £260 at Forum Auctions in 2023

1906 Fairy Tales 1st ed Orange Fairy Book Andrew Lang Ugly Duckling Magic Mirror

Sold for US$355 at Schilb Antiquarian Rare Books in 2024

Lang, Andrew ‘The Olive Fairy Book’. Longmans, Green, and Company, London 1907 1st Edition. With numerous color and black and white illustrations by H.J. Ford. Hardback book with green cloth boards with gold lettering and illustrations, gilt edges. 336pgs.
Weight Approx., 1.5lbs
Measures Approx., 4.75″x7.5″x1.25″ thick.

Sold for US$500 at Global Auctions Company in 2022

Pink Fairy Book, Illustrated by Andrew Lang

With numerous black and white illustrations by Andrew Lang. (8vo) pink cloth pictorially illustrated and titled in gilt, all edges gilt. First Edition.

Sold for US$300 at PBA Galleries in 2022

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Wedgwood

Antique Fairies Admin — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 11:41:12 +0000

Wedgwood is an English fine china, porcelain and luxury accessories manufacturer that was founded on 1 May 1759 by the potter and entrepreneur Josiah Wedgwood and was first incorporated in 1895 as Josiah Wedgwood and Sons Ltd. Reference: Wikipedia. The company is mainly associated with it’s blue and white Jasperware but they also produced some beautiful designs incorporating fairies. One of the leading designers in this field was Daisy Makeig-Jones who designed their Fairyland Lustre Ware.

Below are some examples and price guides of Wedgwood wares incorporating fairies into their design including a fairy lamp and an example of their maker’s mark.

Wedgwood Maker’s Mark

WEDGWOOD
Fairyland Jar
1915-1931
designed by Daisy Makeig-Jones, porcelain, with Wedgwood gilt Portland vase mark and ‘ENGLAND’ on underside
height 7 1/2in (19cm)

Sold for US$3,570 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2023

Daisy Makeig-Jones for Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre Porcelain “Gargoyles” Bowl
Design pattern Z4968, circa 1928
Of octagonal form, decorated on the interior and exterior sides with fantastical scenes, including fairies, pheasants, and rainbows, heightened with gilt, signed with company stamp marks. Height 3 1/2 inches, width 7 inches.

Sold for $1,764 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2022

Wedgwood Fairy Lamp

Cream bisque base stamped Wedgwood, 4.75 inches wide. Shade is 3.5 inches wide. Smudges but no cracks.

Sold for US$30 at Valley Auctions in 2023

3 Pc Wedgwood And Sons Ceramic Tiles, Red Riding Hood,

Grimm Fairy Tale Series. Transfer printed in blue. 3 individual scenes from the story.
Housed in rectangular wooden frame. Wedgwood backstamps.

Sold for US$550 at Lion and Unicorn in 2020

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Wedgwood Ghostly Wood

Antique Fairies Admin — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 11:04:09 +0000

Wedgwood Ghostly Wood. The Ghostly Wood pattern was designed for Wedgwood by Daisy Makeig-Jones. The pattern comprises of a grouping of “ghosts” in white hoods with fleeing animals and fairies and goblins in a woodland setting. It is part of the Fairyland Lustre Ware items by Wedgwood.

Below are some examples and price guides of Wedgwood Ghostly Wood wares including a ginger jar and a charger.

Daisy Makeig-Jones for Wedgwood
‘Ghostly Wood’ ginger jar and cover from the ‘Fairyland Lustre’ series, 1916-1932
Porcelain, lustre glaze.
33 cm high
Produced by Josiah Wedgwood and Sons Ltd. Underside with printed mark, incised shape number 2312 and painted pattern number Z4968.

Sold for £19,000 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2021

‘Ghostly Wood’ fairyland lustre surface.
Porcelain, with gilt outline decoration. Wedgwood gilt Portland vase mark and MADE IN ENGLAND, Z4968 to the bottom base. This item has its original box: 14.5in x 14.5in x 1.75in. Artist: Daisy Makeig-Jones

Sold for US$2,700 at Lion and Unicorn in 2023

Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre “Ghostly Wood” Vase

English, 20th century, by artist Daisy Makeig-Jones (1881-1945), covered baluster porcelain vase, brightly decorated woodland scene with gnarly demon tree, spirits, fairy animals, and the White Rabbit,ÿwith Portland Vase “Wedgwood/England” mark and pattern number “Z4968” to base, 15 x 7 in.

Sold for US$16,000 at TBrunk Auctions in 2021

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Fairy Brooches

Antique Fairies Admin — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 09:01:21 +0000

Fairy brooches have been popular since the late Victorian era and make excellent collectible items as well as being beautiful to wear.

Below are some examples and price guides of antique and vintage fairy brooches including a brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels and a Wedgwood brooch by Daisy Makeig-Jones.

Van Cleef & Arpels Gold, Moonstone and Diamond Fairy Brooch
18 kt., the dancing fairy with one oval cabochon moonstone face, its wand tipped by one small round diamond, signed VCA, no. DL29314, with maker’s mark, ap. 9.5 dwts.

Sold for $12,600 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2022

Unusual 19th Century Carved Shell Cameo Brooch, raised scene with young fairy, pouring from a pitcher, elaborate leaf and vine design gold-filled frame, oval, 2 5/8″ X 2 1/4″, 28 grams.

Sold for US$350 at Richard D. Hatch & Associates Ltd. in 2023

Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Fairy Brooch

Sold for US$150 at Davis Brothers Auction in 2023

Daisy Makeig Jones for Wedgwood, a Fairyland lustre brooch, Fairy with a Large Hat, circa 1920, circular form, mounted in silver, printed mark, 5cm diameter

Sold for £350 at Kinghams Auctioneers in 2021

18k white gold brooch in the design of a fairy poised on a flower stalk. Embellished with melee diamonds.
Height: 7.5 cm (2.9 in)
Weight: 18 g

Sold for CA$500 at A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals in 2019

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Fairy Lamps

Antique Fairies Admin — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 16:22:50 +0000

Fairy lamps (depending on locale, also called fairy lights) were a small, glass candle lamp that originally gained popularity during the 1880s and ’90’s. The lamps’ original purpose was utilitarian with the typical pieces including the base, a cup for the candle, and the chimney or shade. Their creation began in the 1840s, when a new type of candle was developed. These candles were smaller, fatter, and encased with paper; they were usually set in a saucer of water to burn. They burned longer and carried less risk of fire, a common danger of the Victorian era. Reference: Wikipedia.

Below are some examples and price guides of antique fairy lamps including a Nailsea fairy lamp and a pair of puffy poppy fairy lamps.

Royal Worcester porcelain classical figural base for the Cricklite Fairy Lamp, circa 1885. Hallmarked on bottom. Approx. height 16.25 in. Note: Lacking the five-light brass lamp that surmounts the head.

Sold for US$75 at Gallery 63 in 2023

Nailsea Fairy Lamp

1880-1900. Glass. Red and white dome with matching rounded base with inward crimped rim. Clear interior cup. Includes burglar’s horror candle. Lamp cup marked with “Clarkes Patent Trademark Cricklite” and image of a fairy holding wand. Crack to bottom of lamp cup. Ruf – pg. 171, fig. 600. From the Valerie Lister Collection. 5″H, 6″ bowl diameter.

Sold for CA$400 at Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd. in 2023

Two matched Pairpoint puffy poppy candle fairy lamps complete with original bases. Each measures 8″ tall.

Sold for US$700 at Magnum Auctions in 2023

Pink satin glass fairy lamp decorated with yellow Coraline and set in a ruffled rim base, 5″ ht. CONDITION: Good with no defects found.

Sold for US$250 at Jaremos in 2023

PAIR OF SIGNED 1930’S BRONZE FAIRY LAMPS

SIGNED BRONZE FAIRY LAMPS. SIGNED J. (JEAN) GARNIER. BRONZE NUDE FAIRY ON MARBLE BASE. NO SHADES. GOOD PATINA, GOOD CONDITION. 32″ H.

Sold for US$1,100 at Redlands Antique Auction in 2023

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