Meet Our Antiques Columnist

Barbara J. Eash is a certified personal property appraiser who specializes in antiques. Known as the “Chattanooga Antiques Lady” when she lived in Tennessee, Barbara has appraised items for TV shows, antique clinics and in court. A collector herself, she’s also taught antiques classes and managed two antiques shops, including one filled with the wares of more than 100 dealers.

Now Barbara is helping Country Woman readers learn more about their antiques and heirlooms. The most interesting thing about her work, she says, is learning the stories behind the pieces.

“Whether it’s jewelry, glassware, toys or tools, everything has a story,” Barbara says.

Readers send photographs of their pieces, along with any other helpful information they have about them. Barbara’s column details the story behind each item, along with a verbal appraisal of what it might be worth today.

Her estimates are intended to help readers learn more about their treasures, rather than ironclad guarantees, she notes. Besides, even if an heirloom doesn’t turn out to be unusually rare or pricy, she says, “its real worth may lie in the family memories it holds for the owner.”

After all, as Barbara likes to say, “An antique is a memory that you can touch with your hand.”

Family memories are dear to Barbara’s heart as well. The grandmother of six, she and her husband, Everett, moved to New Berlin, Wisconsin several years ago to be closer to their two adult children.

Although he’s not an antiques collector himself, Everett provides plenty of support for Barbara’s work. Sometimes, she says with a grin, she drafts him to help her move heavy pieces!

Curious about Your Curio?

If you have a piece you’d like Barbara to consider commenting on, we’d like to see it.

We’ll need either high-resolution digital images or good-quality color photos (no inkjet prints, please), along with your piece’s size, markings, history or other helpful information. You can E-mail us, using the subject line “Antiques Expert,” at editors@countrywomanmagazine.com or mail to Antiques Expert, Country Woman, 55925 Country Lane, Greendale WI 53219. Please consult our Contributor’s Guidelines, and remember to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you’d like your photos returned.

Sorry, but Barbara cannot reply personally to any inquiries.