Kim Kovel

It’s difficult to escape holiday shopping, whether you’re buying gifts, stocking up for dinner parties or just taking advantage of a sale. And stores make sure to entice you with

Would you believe that one of the most prominent figures in American art pottery came from England? Frederick Hurten Rhead was born in England in 1880 and started his ceramics career by working with his father, Frederick Alfred Rhead.

Terry and Kim Kovel With its rings of holly branches, this majolica platter carries the spirit of Christmas.

Featured Local Savings

Glass can be extremely difficult to identify and date. Fortunately for collectors, the vase pictured here is signed and dated: Lundberg Studios, 1977. Lundberg Studios, founded in 1970 and still active, makes iridescent glass with shapes and patterns reminiscent of famous art glass makers like Tiffany. They are not copies or reproductions but contemporary pieces taking inspiration from older styles.

Featured Local Savings Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer readers' questions. Send a letter with one question describing the size, material and what you know about the item. [email protected]

Happy New Year! When the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 1, it's time to open your new calendar and look ahead. Or, maybe you have a clock like this one, with a built-in calendar.

Terry and Kim Kovel Sometimes, people like to think of the past as a steady, stable time where tradition ruled the day.

Baby New Year can grow up fast! The baby pictured here is already shaving. Well, it’s probably not supposed to be Baby New Year, but being surrounded by a calendar, it’s an easy association to make. This baby was the mascot for Gillette’s safety razors, perhaps suggesting that they were both safe enough and easy enough for a baby to use, with the promise of baby-smooth skin, too.

Baby New Year can grow up fast! The baby pictured here is already shaving. Well, it’s probably not supposed to be Baby New Year, but being surrounded by a calendar,