Terry and Kim Kovel

This ceramic charger fits right into art nouveau, or ‘Jugendstil’ in German

Jugendstil means “young style” in German. This decorated plate made circa 1900 sold for $2,500 at Auctions at Showplace.

 

I scream, you scream, we all scream for … glace? Well, in France, yes.

This ice cream vendor toy, which sold for $1,800 at auction, reminds us of France’s role in popularizing the summer treat.

 

A real moose would gobble up your garden. Not this life-sized replica.

This zinc figure, which sold for $3,328 at auction, might even spook other wild creatures keen on eating your plants.

 

Attributed to famous 19th-century design firm, table sees its value soar

This Aesthetic Movement table — with its ebonized finish, incised gilt decoration and flower panels — sold for $6,144.

Hitting a homer is hard for most. On this machine, we all have a chance

This restored 1930s Jennings slot machine — with candy prizes for knocking it out of the park — sold for $3,840 at auction.

Many famous design firms were built to last because sons joined fathers

Nineteenth-century silversmith Samuel Kirk’s legacy lives on today because his sons and grandson followed in his footsteps.

As glassmaking was streamlined, Clevenger Brothers stuck by old techniques

From its medium blue color to its rough pontil mark, this hand-blown vase stays true to traditional glassmaking methods.

Not to be confused with spongeware, this mug is spattered with color

This example of spatterware is unique for its design and rainbow of colors, which is why it sold for $1,062 at auction.

Cast-iron sign offers 3 simple steps for safety in case a train’s a comin’

Advising people to stop, look and listen, this old sign is more instructive than newer X-shaped railroad crossing signs.

Gnomes, per lore, are more than garden decor. This guy’s ready to travel.

In fact, his atypical attributes — a blue cap and total lack of garden tools — make this pottery gnome all the more valuable.

Mickey Mouse and Buddha are among this bracelet’s 21 charms. But why?

This piece’s eclectic mix of charms must say something about its former owner. Regardless, it sold for $1,206 at auction.

An example of delftware, this decorative plate sports polychrome blooms

Delft is a type of tin-glazed earthenware pottery born in Holland. This 16th century English piece sold for $3,997 at auction.

To most, tiles are utilitarian. To some, they’re a sought-after art form.

Collectors particularly prize tiles made by early 20th century art potteries. This Wheatley piece sold for $216 at auction.

Don’t blow a bundle on glass supposedly made by the Henry William Stiegel

Why? Faked signatures, reused molds and imitated styles can make it unclear who actually made any given piece of glass.

For some, this cigar lighter’s sinister symbolism is especially striking

Whether it is a sincere or ironic reference to tobacco as poison, this snake-shaped lighter sold for $1,599 at auction.

This Japanese clock is designed to account for seasonal shifts in daylight

Days and nights are divided into units called “toki,” similar to hours in a day, except these adjust based on the season.

Over 200 years, the magic lantern transformed into an educational peacock

Regarded as magic in the 1650s, this device was refined into the more scientific sounding sciopticon by the mid-1800s.

What we might call a bar cart began as Victorian England’s tea trolley

Whatever you call it and however you use it, this birch wood cart with white enameled wheels attracted $2,650 at auction.

These pickles mark your spot and serve as memorable advertising for Heinz

Whimsical, attention-grabbing bookmarks like these are both fun and practical. This set of nine sold for $130 at auction.

Foregoing his love of watercolor, this artist became the king of enamels

Kenneth Bates brought the craft out of jewelry houses and into the hands of hobbyists. This piece sold for $1,188 at auction.