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Photograph by George Sakkestad

A clock from the 1860s proved a valuable find, according to Jeffrey Smith of Bonhams and Butterfield of San Francisco. Smith was a guest at the Saratoga Foothill Club's first antiques and collectibles appraisal clinic on March 31, and he determined the clock Tia Harvey (left) purchased in 1956 for $25 is now worth up to $1,500.

Valuable treasures discovered at Foothill Club antiques clinic

By Michele Leung

Susan Perry, who collects contemporary and antique art glass with her husband, said she is always wary when she buys collectibles.

"There are many fakes out there," said the Saratoga resident. "There's always a little doubt in the collector's mind."

Her apprehension was put to rest when appraisers evaluated her glass vase that was signed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, the name behind many oft-imitated stained glass pieces, as bona fide.

"It's very comforting," Perry said.

Ten representatives from Bonhams and Butterfield of San Francisco came to the Saratoga Foothill Club's first antiques and collectibles appraisal clinic on March 31. The appraisers determined the value of furniture and decorative arts, Asian art, silver, jewelry and paintings. The Saratoga Foothill Club is a women's social association, and the event was a fundraiser to benefit the group's foundation. All proceeds will go to the preservation and maintenance of the organization's clubhouse, which was designed by architect Julia Morgan in 1915.

Perry, who was one of the event's organizers, was pleasantly surprised at the turnout for the antique show, even with the rain doing its best to dissuade collectors from bringing our their treasures.

"There was a line to get in that was up the street and around the corner," Perry said. "We did about 1,000 appraisals."

Collectors paid $7 per item appraised, and several left satisfied on learning their items were authentic, organizers said.

Besides her vase, Perry also had a centennial table evaluated as a genuine historical piece. The table had an inlaid design with George Washington's head and two flags. It was made in 1876 for the country's 100th birthday.

"It was a surprise," Perry said. "As a collector, you always worry about something that's misrepresented."

Other items that were appraised included 1812 French dueling pistols, valued at between $10,000 and $15,000, and an early Americana miniature, judged to be worth between $125,000 and $150,000.

Joan Leonard, another event organizer, brought a friend's bowl to the antique show and discovered it was a silver bowl from 1902.