A shell-shaped Royal Dux porcelain vase captures the Art Nouveau fascination with nature and brought $2,460 at auction.
Elizabeth Heineman
Updated Oct 6, 2026 7:42 AM PDT
When we reach the Autumn Equinox, summer is officially over. That doesn’t mean you have to put sunshine and vacation fun entirely out of your mind. Isn’t that what mementos and souvenirs are for? Take this shell-shaped porcelain vase, which sold for $2,460 in 2023 at Morphy Auctions. Even though it’s not a real shell, it can evoke beach trips and the serenity that comes with them. It was made by Royal Dux, the collector’s nickname for Duxer Porzellanmanufaktur, founded in Dux, Bohemia (now Duchcov, Czech Republic), in 1853. This porcelain factory is best known for its Art Nouveau pieces with natural elements and human figures. Art Nouveau images of people are often stylized and suggest mythological or allegorical characters; the young woman perched on the edge of the shell vase is probably meant to be a sea nymph. After all, there’s a little magic and mystery in the beauty of nature and its ability to inspire.
Collector Q & A
My mother-in-law collected stamps from all over the world as well as the United States. She passed away at 98 in 2005. She had been collecting for a long time and probably had over 1,000. The stamps were in a flood. I have not looked at them all, but some seem to be okay, other than the glue is gone, of course. They are not perfect, but in good condition. I am assuming that without the glue they are worthless? I just wanted your opinion. There is one that I thought would be worth something even without the glue. It was a stamp with a buffalo on it. I’ve never seen that.
Stamps without glue (gum) on the back can be worth something. 20th-century stamps are worth more with the glue intact, but can still sell without the glue. However, 19th-century stamps and stamps from certain countries are often preferred without the glue. Older glues can crack, discolor, or otherwise damage the stamp over time. The U.S. Post Office has issued stamps with buffalo multiple times; a famous 30-cent American Buffalo stamp was first issued in 1923. More than a century later, the American bison returned to U.S. postage on a new stamp issued in June 2026, with a design inspired by the 1923 stamp. Your stamps may still have value. Stamp collecting is a highly specialized field, so the best way to find the value of a stamp is with the help of an expert dealer or appraiser. Look for one in your area. The American Philatelic Society (www.stamps.org) can help you find resources.
I inherited my Dad’s straight razor collection. I have 450 razors and would like to know the best way to sell them. I tried local antique dealers here in Canada, but it would take too long for them to sell them. Any ideas or suggestions on what to do with them? I also have 100 hair receivers.
Straight razors have been made for a few hundred years. They declined in popularity after Gillette introduced its disposable-blade safety razor in 1903, but some are still being made. Hundreds of manufacturers in many different countries have made straight razors. The maker, as well as the design and material of the handle, help determine value. Collectors want old razors in good condition. The original box adds value. Search on Google or on a site like LiveAuctioneers.com to find razor auctions. If you decide to have an auction sell the collection, be sure to find out what the seller’s commission, buyer’s premium, and any other charges will be.
I have several place settings and serving pieces (platter, bowls, gravy boat, etc.). They are Hermann Ohme dinnerware in the OHM2 pattern. Would there be any value to the entire group, and would collectors be interested in them?
Hermann Ohme founded his porcelain factory in Silesia, Germany (now Walbrzych, Poland). Production began in 1882. Ohme’s son took over the factory in 1921, and it closed in 1930 during the Great Depression. The company is known for two types of porcelain: clear glaze, which was made for European and American markets, and Old Ivory, which has a hand-painted ivory background and is decorated with colorful decals.
Usually, the best way to sell a set of dishes is to sell them to a local antiques store or retail shop; selling locally helps avoid the trouble (and costs) of packing and shipping them. Or you could sell them to a matching service where people buy replacements for broken or missing dishes. A 65-piece set of Hermann Ohme porcelain in the “Elysee” pattern sold for $125 at auction in 2022.
COLLECTOR’S TIP: When cleaning antique or vintage porcelain, avoid acidic household products that may damage decoration, gilding, or compromised glaze. Use gentle cleaning methods appropriate for the piece and its condition.
More Collector Questions Answered:
Collector’s Notebook: Old-World Style Meets Contemporary Furniture
Collector’s Notebook: Identifying Loetz Austria Glass
Villeroy & Boch: Looks Like a Fortune, Priced Like a Find
antique dinnerwareantique porcelainArt NouveauHermann Ohmeporcelain collectingRoyal DuxRoyal Dux porcelainstamp collectingstraight razors
Elizabeth HeinemanCopy Editor
Elizabeth Heineman is a contributing editor for Kovels Antique Trader. She previously wrote and edited for Kovels, which may have been the best education she could have had in antiques. Her favorite thing about antiques and collectibles is the sheer variety of topics they cover.
Related Stories
CollectiblesRelics & Roots: Telling Jewish History with JudaicaSierra Holt
CollectiblesPopcorn CultureElizabeth Heineman
CollectiblesFirst Edition of To Kill A Mockingbird Found in Donation BoxElizabeth Heineman
CollectiblesCollector’s Notebook: Old-World Style Meets Contemporary FurnitureElizabeth Heineman
Collectibles“Rocky Horror Show” Bobbleheads Kickstarter Campaign LaunchedNational Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum
CollectiblesPokémon Spam Goes From Grocery Shelves to eBay SalesElizabeth Heineman
