The object of the day: French picture frame barometer

This fine French picture frame barometer featuring a lovely village scene, is expertly painted on glass and set within a fine gilt frame. 

The French often elevated the value of everyday objects by incorporating them into an art form, as is evident in this decorative barometer.

Date: 

Circa 1880

Dimensions: 

35" wide x 36 1/2" high

Designer: Jacob Petit

Jacob Petit (1796-1868), owned one of the most important and well-known porcelain factories in France, becoming one of the major producers of Rococo ornamental ware during the 1830s. Between 1830 and 1850, new manufacturing techniques evolved that modernized the production process without sacrificing the craftsmanship of this time-honored trade.

American Indian Art on auction in January 2012

American Indian Art
Auction Date: January 4, 2012, 7:00 PM MST
Auction House: R. G. Munn Auction LLC

Location:
1000 Zuni Drive
Alamogordo, NM, US, 88310
Phone: 575-434-8861
Email: rgmunnauc@pvtnetworks.net

Pottery jar

Prehistoric polychrome as found condition has cracks 4.5" x 7" Shipping charge are for the United States. The shipping on this lot is $10.00.

Estimated Price: $250 - $500

A short history of jasperware

Josiah Wedgwood's jasperware was the triumphant outcome of more than 5,000 experiments. Jasperware was his most important contribution to ceramic art, and ranks among the most significant innovations in ceramic history since the Chinese invention of porcelain nearly a thousand years earlier. The physical qualities which made jasper especially suited to applied Neoclassical ornament helped Wedgwood achieve an unwavering mass popularity in the late 18th century, which continues today. No other ornamental style has attracted such a popular market over so long a period of time.

Series of 1863 - Original Series Bank Notes

The first National Currency issued was the series of 1863, also known as Original Series notes. 

These notes were very ornate and in my opinion represent a high water mark in national bank note design.

On the back left of each note is the state seal representing the banks location.

Valuing these national bank notes you have to take the bank into consideration. 

A very nice example of one of the notes can cost less than $2000 if it's on common bank in Massachussetts. 

The same note but from a bank in Washington state and all of sudden it's a note worth more than your car.

"The Baptism of Pocahontas"

The back features "The Baptism of Pocahontas" by John G. Chapman (1808 - 1889)

This notes back design is pretty dramatic... it's the highlight although a case can be made for the action scene on the front left. $20.00 was fair amount of cash in 1863 so it's not surprising that these notes didn't survive in same numbers as the $5.00's & $10's.
A nice mid-grade $20 bank note will run from $800 to $1200. A full range of values would be from $300 to $3500 for an uncirculated example.
The note shown from Denver is a lovely example with pretty hand signed signatures and bright paper.