In today’s collection, a beautiful handmade quilt with a lovely, all-American back story leads the group in interest and value, followed closely by a sleek Arts and Crafts style chandelier that evokes a time in American when electricity was the newest kid on the block for home lighting. We also look at a German military helmet from World War I, a Japanese ceramic and a faux ivory vase.

Crazy quilt

Q. A relative, Rebecca Jane Pearson Hiatt, made this quilt sometime between the year of her marriage to Jesse Hiatt in 1848 and the year of her death in 1911. It measures 58 inches by 68 inches and is in excellent condition. Jesse was a farmer in Indiana when he discovered and developed the original Red Delicious apple.

T.M., Salem

A. The Japanese pavilion in the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, with its asymmetrical art and interesting crazed ceramics, was extremely popular and the making of crazy quilts, with elaborate abstract patterns, became “all the rage” shortly thereafter. The popularity of these quilts continued through the early 20th century, with seamstresses making lavish quilts of silk, velvet and brocade and showing off decorative stitching on each seam. Without the history to the Hiatt family, you might see an auction sale of $400-$600 or higher. A dealer specializing in hand-sewn American quilts might ask $2,000-$3,000 for such a quilt, if in excellent condition. The provenance to Mr. and Mrs. Hiatt may add $1,000 or more for collectors who have an interest in apples, or in the history of East Peru, Iowa, where the Red Delicious was developed. Crazy quilts of nice quality, and of similar local interest, have been seen to reach prices exceeding $7,000 at auction.

Early 20th century chandelier

Q. This lamp was salvaged from remodeling a 1910 house. It measures about 36 inches tall, 14 inches wide and 14 inches deep. It was designed to use either electricity or gas. The porcelain, candle-like forms are for the gas light, and the shaded fixtures for electricity.

S.G., Brush Prairie, WA

A. Your chandelier dates from the first decade of the 20th century, and is a style of fixture used in Arts and Crafts or Mission influenced buildings. The dual fixtures were common in the early years of electric lighting, as electricity was not always dependable. At auction, it might sell for $700-$1,000. If it were rewired and ready for use, it might have a retail price tag of $2,500-$3,500.

German World War I helmet

Q. My mom’s grandfather was in World War I, and brought this home as a souvenir. Can you tell us anything about it?

J.D., Troutdale

A. Your World War I “spiked helmet” is a Model 1914 Pickelhaube, the helmet of the German Imperial Army, dating from the first year of World War I. It is an updated version of the Model 1895 Pickelhaube, which was made of leather. When war was declared and millions of soldiers were enlisted, there was a shortage of leather from Argentina, and a well established felt hat manufacturing industry. Many helmets were made from felt, and others from tin plate, steel, and even pressed paper and cork. This particular helmet would have been worn by Bavarian enlisted infantrymen and, like other models, would have provided virtually no protection from bullets or shrapnel. At auction you might see a sale price of $400-$600. Shops that specialize in antique militaria might ask $800-$1,000 for this type of helmet.

Faux ivory vase

Q. We purchased this vase at an estate sale in the Woodstock neighborhood 15-20 years ago. It is a bit over 12 inches tall and 10 pounds 5 ounces. We would like to know if you can tell who, where and when it was made and what it is made of.

R.F., Southeast Portland

A. Based on your images, your vase is imitation ivory, cast of a type of resin and finished to appear as if it were carved of elephant ivory. It dates to the second half of the 20th century. You might see a selling price of $40-$60 at auction, and dealers specializing in Asian decorative arts might ask $150-$250.

Japanese bowl

Q. This bowl has been in my family for at least 100 years. It measures 9 1/4 inches in diameter and is 4 1/4 inches high. Could you tell me about it?

K.S., Clackamas

A. Your bowl is Japanese, and based on your photographs appears to be decorated in a stenciled design with hand painted details added. It dates from the early 1900s, the late Meiji or early Taisho eras. At auction, you might see a sale of $25-$35. A dealer specializing in Japanese porcelains might ask $40-$60, if in undamaged condition. We want to extend a big thank you to Jim King of Shogun’s Gallery in Portland, for helping with identification.

About Today’s Collectibles

The values discussed for items featured in this column were researched by Portland appraiser Jerry l. Dobesh, ASA, an Accredited Senior Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers, with a specialty designation in Antiques & Decorative Arts. His services include providing appraisals for estate tax, charitable contribution, insurance scheduling and loss, and equitable distribution needs.

To find an appraiser, contact the American Society of Appraisers, the International Society of Appraisers, or the Appraisers Association of America. Estimates suggested in this Collectibles column are for general information purposes only and cannot be used as a basis for sale, insurance, or IRS purposes.

To have items considered for inclusion in future columns, please send us your high-quality images, preferably at least 300 dpi, 1Mb in size and in jpeg format. Photos must show each object in its entirety and must be clearly focused and well lighted to show detail. If there are any maker’s marks, please include an image of those. Include measurements and information about the condition of the piece.

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Today’s Collectibles/Homes & Gardens

The Oregonian

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— Carolyn Patten, carolynpatten@gmail.com