1925 University of North Dakota School of Mines Scenic Vase

Appraised on: July 30, 2005

Appraised in: Bismarck, North Dakota

Appraised by: David Rago

Category: Pottery & Porcelain

Episode Info: Bismarck, Hour 3 (#1012)

Originally Aired: April 24, 2006

IMAGE: 1 of 1  

Appraisal Video: (1:57)

APPRAISER: We knew when we came to North Dakota we were going to see some North Dakota School of Mines pottery and kind of had our pick of it today, but this is the piece that I wanted to talk about. You've had this how long?

GUEST: Uh, about three years. Bought it on the Internet. I paid $880 and $20 for shipping.

APPRAISER: What do you know about the piece?

GUEST: I know it has Art Nouveau design. I like it, my wife loves it, and...

APPRAISER: It's a pretty piece.

GUEST: Yeah, it's on the shelf when the dogs are outside, and when the dogs are inside, it's put away.

APPRAISER: Well, it's actually more Arts and Crafts in style. Most of what we see in North Dakota School of Mines is $300, $400, $500, sometimes $1,000. As you said, you paid almost $1,000 for this one three years ago. This is the indigo mark which they started using in 1910 and used into the '60s-- for as long as they were producing pottery. Artist's signature on the side-- it's a student. I don't recognize her name. You also had a question about the condition.

GUEST: Yeah, when I was talking to the fellow I bought it from, he showed me the little bulge on there, and when I questioned as to does it affect the value of it, or...?

APPRAISER: Very often when you see a bulge like that on the top, it is because it has been repaired and poorly so. In this case, there is no restoration. That's a manufacturing flaw. Now, some manufacturing flaws would have a big white kiln kiss on the side of the piece, and that's going to hurt value a lot, but a manufacturing flaw such as this one, where you hardly even notice it, is going to have like zero impact on value.

GUEST: Okay, good.

APPRAISER: Now, because of the crossover appeal, Arts and Crafts collectors are a rabid type and North Dakota School of Mines collectors are very enthusiastic as well. The advanced collectors probably would start going at it with each other, and that's why I fee this piece at auction would bring somewhere between $8,000 and $12,000.

GUEST: Hot dog.

APPRAISER: Yeah.

GUEST: I'll wrap it carefully and put it back on the shelf.

APPRAISER: Yeah, keep the dogs away from it.

GUEST: Okay. Thanks a lot.

APPRAISER: My pleasure.