Terry and Kim Kovel

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This lush sofa echoes the extravagant 18th-century Rococo style

While minimalist postmodern furniture is popular now, older, more elaborate designs like this may be ripe for another revival.

This shapely, iridescent piece of blown glass was an award-winner in 1900

Marked with the name of its maker — “Loetz Austria” — this strikingly complex piece sold for $4,940 at auction.

Sweet-Orr clothing was proudly made by workers, for workers. Their logo shows their clothes are strong enough to handle anything a worker, or group of workers, might put them through.

Sign celebrates staying power of company’s union-made workwear

Beginning in the 1880s, Sweet-Orr advertised its clothing with public demonstrations of strength and solidarity.

Sweet-Orr clothing was proudly made by workers, for workers. Their logo shows their clothes are strong enough to handle anything a worker, or group of workers, might put them through.

This parrot’s plumage shines bright when its bulb is illuminated

It’s a lamp disguised as a parrot, made by Fulper Pottery. And it sold for $375 at auction.

This artist brought enamel, used since the Middle Ages, into the 20th century

A trained artist, Karl Drerup immigrated to New York in the ’30s, where he began making his vibrant, abstract enamel pieces.

Mechanical banks that stored pennies now sell for thousands of dollars

Cast-iron banks like this were used to teach children that saving can be fun. Now, collectors must save up to buy them.

The Merrick Thread Company is known for its spool cabinets with rotating displays behind glass. They tend to sell for higher prices than the typical chest-of-drawers spool cabinet.

Spool cabinets once were ubiquitous in country stores

Back when clothes were made and mended at home, spools of thread were household essentials.

The Merrick Thread Company is known for its spool cabinets with rotating displays behind glass. They tend to sell for higher prices than the typical chest-of-drawers spool cabinet.

A gunsmith by training, this immigrant instead made kitchen equipment

Bernard Gloekler’s company made this butcher’s sign, featuring a saw, cleaver, knife and standing bull.

Butterfly season is fleeting, but dazzling pieces like this last forever

This butterfly pendant, with wings covered in brilliantly colored gemstones, sold for $594 at auction.

With a passion for glazes, Van Briggle was known for his art nouveau vases

This tile, possibly inspired by Artus Van Briggle’s training as a painter and the mountains of Colorado, sold for $2,125 at auction.

This lamp's maker has not been identified, but it resembles the famous Tiffany lamps of the early 20th century. Its mushroom motif and narrow, asymmetrical curves recall the stylized nature shapes of art nouveau.

Nature’s influence is clear in this vintage Tiffany-like lamp

Shaped like a cluster of mushrooms with long stems and graceful curving shapes, the lamp is definitely art nouveau style.

This lamp's maker has not been identified, but it resembles the famous Tiffany lamps of the early 20th century. Its mushroom motif and narrow, asymmetrical curves recall the stylized nature shapes of art nouveau.
Folk art is an important part of American history. American symbols, especially eagles, are favorite subjects, like this wooden sculpture attributed to artist Wilhelm Schimmel.

Like the eagle itself, the creator of this piece is a folkloric figure

Made by a traveling German immigrant in the late 19th century, this wooden carving sold for $5,000 at auction.

Folk art is an important part of American history. American symbols, especially eagles, are favorite subjects, like this wooden sculpture attributed to artist Wilhelm Schimmel.
Specimen tables combined ancient history and geology into a European souvenir that was both decorative and functional. They were popular among the wealthy in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Specimen tables made worthy souvenirs for wealthy vacationers of yore

This colorful, 19th-century Italian marble table sold for about $3,832 at auction.

Specimen tables combined ancient history and geology into a European souvenir that was both decorative and functional. They were popular among the wealthy in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Cabinetmaker George Hunzinger patented this chair in 1869. It was just one of the many patents he filed during his furniture-making career.

Victorian furniture design more diverse than you might think

For example, Hunzinger’s inventive designs include this beech wood chair that looks as if it’s made from pipes.

Cabinetmaker George Hunzinger patented this chair in 1869. It was just one of the many patents he filed during his furniture-making career.
With its ornate brass and painted porcelain features, this candelabrum’s primary purpose is decoration, not illumination. By the time it was made, improved forms of lighting like oil lamps and electric lights were available.

Candelabra today valued less for utility than decorative ornaments

This candelabrum, featuring a handpainted tree branch adorned with flowers and parrots, sold for $594 at auction.

With its ornate brass and painted porcelain features, this candelabrum’s primary purpose is decoration, not illumination. By the time it was made, improved forms of lighting like oil lamps and electric lights were available.

Mechanical banks that taught kids to save now sell for impressive sums

The cast-iron variety made in the 1800s now sell for impressive sums. Even this 1940s tin toy sold for $615 Canadian.

Eagles are a powerful symbol in American designs from the Great Seal to everyday decorative arts. A carved eagle holds up this table’s faux marble top.

Colonial Revival pieces celebrate American history with classic symbols

Stars and stripes, Uncle Sam, Lady Liberty and, of course, eagles often appear in works from this period.

Eagles are a powerful symbol in American designs from the Great Seal to everyday decorative arts. A carved eagle holds up this table’s faux marble top.
This Limoges porcelain piece originally held toothpicks. Now, it has found a new purpose, even if it’s simply an attractive addition to a collection.

Though rarely used today, toothpick holders make great collectibles

This unusual porcelain piece appears to have been made blank by one person and painted by another.

This Limoges porcelain piece originally held toothpicks. Now, it has found a new purpose, even if it’s simply an attractive addition to a collection.
To a perfume bottle collector, it’s what’s on the outside that counts. An eye-catching design by a famous glassmaker brought a high price for this 19th-century Stevens & Williams bottle.

Careful cameo cut boosts this antique perfume bottle’s value

This elegant bottle boasts a glass-decorating technique fashionable in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

To a perfume bottle collector, it’s what’s on the outside that counts. An eye-catching design by a famous glassmaker brought a high price for this 19th-century Stevens & Williams bottle.
This majolica stool was made in the 20th century. It is square instead of the antique barrel shape, but still shows the influence of 19th-century style.

Garden seats have long allowed us to bask in the beauty of our gardens

This 20th-century majolica features the vivid colors and 3D decorations of older Victorian-era pieces.

This majolica stool was made in the 20th century. It is square instead of the antique barrel shape, but still shows the influence of 19th-century style.