September 2025

Michelle Knows Antiques

Art Deco glass vase is a beautiful find

by Michelle Staley

Q: This beautiful glass vase has always been in my family. My grandfather brought it home after his service in WWII. It is signed Sabino France. It is 8” tall and there are no chips or cracks on it. My grandmother kept it behind lock and key in a cabinet. I am having a hard time finding the value of it so that we can insure it.

A: Sabino is a French glass company founded by Marius-Ernest Sabino (1878-1961) in Paris in the 1920s and 1930s, known for its Art Deco-style glass pieces, particularly those with an opalescent quality. They did make beautiful items in clear and colored glass. The company produced a range of items, including lamps, vases, and figurines, often featuring nude figures and stylized designs. Production initially ceased during World War II but resumed in the 1960s.

Sabino himself was known for creating lights ranging from small lamps to large chandeliers, and also architectural lighting for hotels and restaurants. These are usually not marked you need to become familiar with the Sabrino style and time periods.
The Art Deco movement is known for its geometric patterns, stylized forms, and elegant designs. Opalescent glass has a milky, translucent quality and exhibits a range of colors, especially when held up to a light source.

Sabino glass is marked with the Sabino name and is generally hidden in the design. You are lucky to have found the mark.
The Art Deco period pieces are very desirable, and you can expect to get $800-$1,000 if you were to sell it. For insurance purposes, I suggest that you insure it for $2,500. You cannot recover the family history of the vase, but you can replace the vase.

________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

A Lambert push plow. (Image courtesy of the author)

A GameTime cast iron amusement park garbage can lid. (Image courtesy of the question submitter)

A Lambert push plow. (Image courtesy of the author)

An opalescent Sabino Art Deco Vase. (Image courtesy of the question submitter)

 

Q: I went to a huge farm auction last week and found this wonderful piece sitting at the end of the trailer bed by itself. I thought the bidding would be frantic and was greatly surprised when I was the only person bidding on it. It looks like a cross between a clown and the Wizard of Oz scarecrow. On the bottom of the front is GAME-TIME LITCHFIELD MICH. It is about 2 feet tall and 20” in diameter, and very heavy. I would appreciate any information you can give me.

A: GameTime started business in Litchfield, MI, in 1929, producing carnival rides, playground equipment, and items you would have seen at carnivals and playgrounds. In 1979 the company moved to Alabama. It still manufactures “safe” playground equipment. Gone are the days of teeter totters, the large round metal disk with bars that we called a merry-go-round, and other fun metal play equipment. Sure, we fell off and bled a bit, but it was so much fun.

I can’t tell if the piece is open on both sides or not. If it is, it would have been the target in a bean bag or ball toss game. If it is open on only one side, it is the top to a garbage can. Sadly, someone has sandblasted all the colorful paint that once adorned it; otherwise, it looks to be in very good condition.

If it is double-sided, even with the missing paint it will sell for $600-$700, with original paint, $1,000. If it is single-sided and all of the paint is gone, you can still get $400-$475 for the trash can lid.

It is a great piece of vintage memorabilia that dates to no later than the 1950s. If you decide to put it up for sale, you will not have a problem getting rid of it.

*All prices given are for sale in a private sale, antique shop, or other resale outlets. Price is also dependent upon the geographic area in which you are selling. Auction value, selling to a dealer or pawn shop prices are about ½ or less of resale value.

Michelle Staley is a Lenexa, KS-based dealer and researcher with 35 years of experience in the antique trade.

Send questions with photos to Michelle at michelle@discovervintage.com or TXSmichelle@gmail.com. Please keep queries to one question; questions without photos of the item may not be answered. There is no guarantee that your question will be answered or published.

Michelle is also available for consulting and extensive research work beyond this column. If you would like an appraisal on an antique or collectible please go to www.michellesantiqueappraisals.com for a one-on-one appraisal. Please note new web address.