Page 65 - Country Living - USA (January - February 2020)

« Putz Sheep
Originally part of
German “putz” nativity
scenes, most of this
herd dates to the early
1900s. Made from wood
and, in this case, wool,
putz pieces are very
fragile, and intact items
are highly sought-
after. Sheep in good
condition (look for
well-maintained coats)
can ring in at around
$50 each, while
less-furry versions have
a reduced value. Look
for sheep with original
collars (red or green
fabric, as seen here) and
rams with horns.

display it
Add year-round quirk Brass
to a bookcase by Candlesticks
scattering them among
the shelves. A classic addition to
any dining table or
bookshelf, ubiquitous
brass candlesticks make
for a high-gratifi cation
collectible. Stick to a
motif (Georgian-style
curves, Gothic shapes)
or brand, like Virginia
Metalcrafters, a famed
20th-century candle-
stick-maker whose
wares upped in value
(think $100 for a pair)
Check for Virginia after their 2005 closing.
Metalcrafters’s
“VM” mark on the display it
candlestick’s bottom.
Gather a hodgepodge
of shapes and sizes to
pair with unconventional
candlesticks. Try
thefl oralsociety.com
for a starter selection
of twirled tapers.