Antiques & Collecting: Snakes in art

Snakes and snake shapes often show up in decorative arts. They are among the oldest, most common symbols in history, standing for concepts like wisdom, healing and renewal.

They can also have negative meanings, often appearing as mythological monsters and carrying the threat of poison.

After all, St. Patrick’s Day honors a saint whose legendary feats include banishing all snakes from Ireland.

The sinister side of snakes is on display in this figural cigar lighter, which sold for $1,599 at Morphy Auctions.

Maybe it was a way to subtly reference the poisonous qualities of tobacco: the cigar would be lit in the snake’s open mouth, right between its exposed fangs.

Some collectors see a similar message regarding alcohol in the famous snake jugs made by Anna Pottery.

Others believe any reference to poison was meant ironically, or even coincidentally. Maybe the designers simply liked the look.

I have a Jacob & Josef Kohn chair. It still has its original labels. The cane seat is long ago gone. What is its current value as is? Where should I sell it?

Jacob Kohn opened a lumber factory with his son Josef in 1850. As the company, called J. & J. Kohn, grew, they started making bentwood furniture, one of the many furniture innovations of the 19th century. Many well-known European designers worked for them.

J. & J. Kohn merged with the Mundus manufacturing group to become Mundus-Kohn in 1914.

Today, a single chair by J. & J. Kohn can sell at auction for more than $1,000. A barrel back chair missing its cane seat sold at a recent auction in Europe for $2,800. A label always increases the value of antique furniture.

A furniture dealer or repairer in your area can help you get more information.

Tip: If you want to keep your collections free from harm, always clean and dust items yourself.

Current Prices

Belleek, teacup, shamrocks, basketweave texture, twig handle, yellow luster interior, black mark, 2 x 3 1/2 inches, $25.

Mt. Washington, rose bowl, flower clusters, forget-me-nots, cream ground, gilt rim, 5 x 6 inches, $95.

Toy, wagon, Greyhound, blue, white logo, red interior, front railing, pull handle, metal, Hamilton, child’s, $180.

Store, sign, trade, Florist, M.K. Lamond, flower bouquet, multicolor, yellow bow, salmon ground, signed, P. Gorman, frame, gilt interior, 35 x 24 1/2 inches, $310.

Rug, Iranian, blue field, vine lattice, repeating Tree of Life, mauve border, flowers, angle devices, ivory guard border, wool on cotton, mid-20th century, 4 feet 8 inches x 3 feet 1 inch, $545.

Box, trinket, silver, lid, flower finial, allover texture, repousse flowers around base, hallmarks, date mark, Robert W. Smith, Dublin, 1830, 3 x 5 x 3 inches, $1,270.