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Anyone know anything about this antique epergne? (pic)?

I recently acquired an antique, silver-plated epergne. And am wondering if anyone can help me find any information about it's history and value. I've looked all over the internet but can't seem to find anything like it.

It has five arms and the cups, which look like they are meant to hold flowers, are tulip-shaped. The maker's mark on the bottom indicates it was crafted by Israel Freeman & Son in England. The bottom is where it also says it is silver-plated. The insides of the cups appear to be some kind of copper or brass- which is what I assume the whole piece is made of. It's a bit tarished, which is why it appears to have a gunmetal patina. Just needs to be shined up :) Here's the pic: http://s175.photobucket.com/albums/w123/snow2droog...

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  • 1 decade ago
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    We hope you can appreciate your epergne for it's appearance alone, because unfortunately it has little to no monetary value.

    There is however, an interesting story behind it.

    In 1997 a piece much like yours sold for $71,950 at Christie's because it had originally belonged to King George III. After it's sale, cheap reproductions were mass-produced because it was thought that the piece would bring good fortune to every home the way it had done for King George. The market was quickly flooded, and the public's interest in the epergne disappeared.

    Your reproduction is still lovely as a conversation piece, but don't bother taking it to Antique Roadshow!

    Source(s): Our own oersonal knowledge and experience as antique appraisers for over 35 years. -----Nigel and Rebecca Hamilton of Beverly Hills, CA
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