Albert Alfredson Snow Scene Painting

Sikes Wooden Banker's Chair

The Sikes Chair Company was established in 1859 and operated as S. D. Sikes & Brother in Buffalo, New York. Although for a brief period of time the company moved to Pennsylvania between 1904 and 1906, the company moved back to Buffalo, New York in 1916.

The Sikes Chair Company predominantly manufactured different styles of chairs, (such as Morris chairs, rocking chairs, swivel chairs, and side chairs), but also various types of furniture items as well. Many of their furniture items were classified as being part of the Arts & Crafts movement, which was a popular furniture design movement between 1860 and 1910.

Sikes Chair Company furniture items which were influenced by the Arts & Crafts movement and/or still carry their original label are considered to be the most rare and valuable among collectors.

This wonderful, sturdy chair is style #1230, as pictured in "The Sikes Book of Office Furniture Catalog 20," published in 1939. 

Restoration of a Sikes Chair Company furniture item is recommended, but only if there is noticeable damage. However, restoring a Sikes Chair Company furniture item may decrease its value.

Fosslized Ammonite

Carved Quartz Crystal Skull

Quartz Crystal Cluster with Hematite

This beautiful piece also has spots of a shiny or frosty hamatite. This specimen is from near the city of Corinto in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This cluster measures around 5.3 cm or 2-1/8-inches at its biggest. 

Blue Kyanite Crystal

Blue crystal in and on a semi-translucent quartz crystal matrix. This beautiful piece was found in Brazil. This specimen measures around 7.16cm or 2-13/16" at its biggest.

Pyrite Crystal Cluster

Entwined pyrite crystal cubes with spots of contrasting colored sphalerite in a small cluster. This specimen was found in the Huanzala Mine, Huallanca District, Peru. The overall cluster measures around 5.53cm or 2-3/16-inches at its biggest or from opposing sides.

Wooden Kitchen Mallets

Higgins Studio: Fish Design Glass Art Ashtray, c. 1950s

Original handmade fish design ashtray, signed Higgins, c. 1950s. 

Michael and Frances Higgins, who met at the Chicago Institute of Design, were pioneers in glass fusing, or a "glass sandwich." A design is created on a piece of enamel-coated glass. Over this, another piece of enameled glass is laid. The pieces are then placed on a mold and heated. Under heat, the glass “slumps” to the shape of the mold. The design itself is fused between the outer glass pieces, with additional layers adding to the texture and color.

Originally the studio operated out of their Chicago apartment until 1957 when it was relocated as a result of a partnership with Dearborn Glass Company of Chicago. During that time, they produced a wide range of products until 1966 when they returned to private studio work, with their studio located in Riverside, Illinois. 

Michael died in 1999 and Francis in 2004. 

This ashtray is 1/2-inch in height and is rectangular in shape that is 5" in width by 7" in length. It is signed with the freehand gold Higgins Dearborn Signature.