The skill of valuing can be a little mysterious

Ever wondered about the mysterious art of antique valuation and how some items can be worth thousands of pounds and others dismissed as worthless baubels?

Some Irish experts sought to shed some light on the process last week when they conducted an antiques roadshow as part of a fine art appreciation course at the Merrion Square headquarters of the Irish Auctioneers and Valuers Institute (IAVI) in Dublin.

Mr Denis Drum, a porcelain specialist based in Malahide, underscored a key principle in deciding on valuations. Figures quoted, he said, are the market value rather than the insurance value of the item involved. The latter value is higher.

Mr James O'Halloran, an expert in Irish art at James Adam Salerooms in Dublin, examined a beautiful watercolour, dark in shade and depicting a woman sitting in a chair in front of a marvelous fire. It had a Victorian frame and a coarse timber panelled back and was valued by him at £1,000.

In contrast, he concluded that a maritime picture drawn with thick opaque paint from the turn of the century had "the ring of a mass-produced painting" and estimated its value at between £300 and £400.

Mr Brian Coyle, who specialises in furniture at James Adam Salerooms in Dublin, valued a Chinese inkwell at just £15. But he estimated an art deco lamp shaped like an inverted toadstool at "maybe £100".

Mr Drum deemed an opaque glass vase with hand-painted decoration to date from the 1890s. One of a pair, he concluded that together they should fetch £250.

He noted the quality of a decorated plate with gilded banding on a stand. "The quality is there," he said, valuing it at between £60 and £80.

Mr Fonsie Mealy, a book expert at Mealy's, Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, was impressed by a beautifully illustrated 18 by 12 inch copy of Richard Doyle's Fairyland: Pictures from the Elf World published in 1875. The binding had been strengthened by a good repairer but this subtracted from its value.

The owner spotted it at the bottom of a large pile of books at auction and had to buy the whole lot for £40. He was very pleased when Mr Mealy unhesitatingly valued Fairyland at £500.

But Mr Mealy was not impressed by a collection of Poems & Parodies by T.M. Kettle inscribed by the author. Perhaps he had missed the inscription? No, he referred to it in his commentary and valued the collection at £30.

Mr Douglas Bennett, who specialises in jewellery and silver, was interested in two silver tumbler cups, the base of each of which had been flattened. He explained that they were designed for people in a hurry who did not need to lay them down. They had had round bases which tumbled if put down. He valued the pair at £1,200.

His examination of a lovely 1760 Irish silver bowl identified as many as 15 repairs, cleverly concealed by silver plating. The repair work had affected the feel of the bowl which should sound harder when tapped. Nevertheless, he valued it at £600.

Mr Drum was suspicious of a small table which probably dated from the 1830s. "A lot has happened this table" and it doesn't "ring true", he said. A rim had been added underneath. The octagonal top was replaced and the new circular top was "definitely wrong". He estimated that it could fetch between £200 and £250 but with the correct top that could rise to £600. He described a German walnut mantle clock from the 1890s with a lovely chime as "very sweet". Its design had Chinese and bamboo overtones with nice rails on the top and it should fetch £300.

Mr Coyle identified a mystery lopsided copper object with embossed handles as a copper and brass Victorian tea urn which he valued at £100. He also identified another mystery object, shaped like elongated scissors. It was, he said, a glove stretcher which should fetch £25.

Readers interested in attending the IAVI fine art appreciation course next September should contact course organiser Ms Vivienne Sherry, 38 Merrion Square East, Dublin 2. Telephone: 01 6611794.