By Terry and Kim Kovel

Bees are native to every continent on Earth except Antarctica. With their prevalence in nature and their benefits to humans, in the forms of pollinating plants and producing honey, it’s no wonder they are often seen in decorative arts.

They play important roles in religion, mythology and folklore all over the world. They were a symbol of royalty in ancient Lower Egypt, a symbol for the ancient Greek oracle at Delphi and part of Napoleon’s coat of arms.

They also appear as decorative motifs, invoking their historical symbolism or simply adding realism to patterns of plants and flowers, on anything from inexpensive trinkets to valuable pieces by famous designers.

This small glass bowl with tiny bees flying among leafy branches sold for an impressive $6,400 at Morphy Auctions. Its maker is a major reason for its value: It is signed “Daum Nancy” for the famous art glass maker in Nancy, France, known for its decorated glassware featuring natural subjects.

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Q: I have been trying to find information on my chairs. They are dark wood with carved leaves and ovals, a leather upholstered back and seat and caster feet. I haven’t found any information online.

A: Your chairs sound like the pressed-back chairs made from about 1890 to 1910. Designs were pressed into the wood. This technique, made possible by new technology and manufacturing processes, allowed furniture companies to make large quantities quickly and therefore sell them inexpensively. They were made in hardwoods like oak, walnut, birch and elm. The designs were often simplified versions of the ornate carved furniture of the Victorian era. Seats could be caned, upholstered or made of wood. Sometimes, carved chairs from the same time period are called “pressed back” because they had similar designs.

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Q: I have acquired from my aunt a box with items and fabrics she bought while stationed in occupied Japan. I would like to know where to take these items to determine if any are of value. Can you tell me who I should contact?

A: Formal appraisals are expensive, so you usually don’t need one unless it is for legal purposes, like taxes or insurance, or if you are already certain you have something valuable like pieces made from precious metals. However, some auction houses hold free appraisal events as a form of promotion. There are less formal, less expensive ways to find out whether your items have value. You can visit antique shops in your area to talk to dealers and look at selling prices. Collectors’ clubs can help find values. Look for collectors who specialize in Occupied Japan. Check price guides, you may be able to find subject-specific price guides online or at your library. You can look up prices for items like yours online. Try searching auction results or looking up sold listings on eBay. Be sure you are looking at sold prices; asking prices are not always accurate.

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Q: I’m wondering if you can help me identify my clock and its possible value. I have searched the internet but am unable to find one that looks like it. It belonged to my husband’s uncle, born in the late 1800s. I was told a long time ago that it was an 1875 Cary V.P. It was running at one point, but when my kids were little, I think they were messing with it and it hasn’t kept time since.

A: The Cary V.P. clock was made by Welch, Spring & Company, a subsidiary of the E.N. Welch Manufacturing Company in Connecticut that made an expensive line of rosewood clocks from 1868 to 1884. This clock has a distinctive case with a shaped scrolled crest with a round center finial, turned side pillars, glass sides, a pendulum with a colored glass insert and a glass door with a pattern around the edge. “VP” stands for “visible pendulum.” These clocks had the company’s celebrated “Patti” movement, named after a famous opera singer of the time. Clocks with this movement are the most desirable models by Welch. The Cary V.P. clock can sell for $500 or more. Similar styles by unidentified makers sell for less, usually up to $300. The National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors, Inc. (nawcc.org) and the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute (awci.com) have resources for identifying antique clocks and finding repairers. You can also look for clock repairers in your area in the directories on Kovels.com and AntiqueTrader.com.

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CURRENT PRICES

Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.

Advertising, tin, spice, Dining Car, Pure Red Pepper, multicolor dining car interior graphic, light blue and red ground, Norwine Coffee Co., St. Louis, Missouri, 1 1/2 ounces, 3 1/8 inches, $60.

Salt and pepper shakers, cranberry glass, enameled oak leaves and acorns, silver plate frame, center handle, scrolled feet, leaves, flowers, Victorian, 7 1/2 inches, $70.

Toy, car, sedan, streamlined, red, pressed steel, white tires, rubber, Wyandotte, 1930s, 15 inches, $235.

Painting, oil on canvas, woman, wearing white cloak, red trim, dark hair, unsigned, Europe, 19th century, frame, 31 1/2 x 27 1/2 inches, $290.

Auto, sign, rack, Pennzoil, oval, top crest, Outboard Motor Oil, yellow ground, black lettering, red bell logo, metal, 11 3/4 x 16 1/2 inches, $450.

Lamp, oil, brass, pierced, Moorish style, dome shade, baluster base, round foot, ribbed, 19th century, 49 inches, $500.

Furniture, chest, Baroque, walnut, button drawer over three drawers, inlay, birds, geometrics, 18th century, 35 inches, $525.

Textile, blanket, Navajo, allover checks, navy blue and white, stripes within squares, c. 1920, 85 x 59 1/2 inches, $595.

Pottery-contemporary, stand, flowerpot, figural, Cecilia, stylized woman, blue and white removable flowerpot hat, signed, dated, Bjorn Wiinblad, 1992, 30 1/2 inches, $1,180.

Kitchen, cheese scale, hanging, brass tray, iron beam, brass lion silhouettes, two hooked weights, England, mid-1800s, 39 1/2 x 60 inches, $1,490.