spot. The painting sold at auction for an undisclosed amount. "I learned an incredible amount from that painting," said Veale. The appraiser revealed the Dutch artist's signature in the middle of painting. "I had looked in all the corners for a signature," Veale recalled. "I learned it was customary for Dutch artists in the 1600s to sign in the middle of a painting." Veale indicated the expert appraiser simply licked his thumb and gently smeared through the oxidation to reveal the artist's inscription on the collar of the main subject. "There it was, Jacob Duck!" she beamed.

Of course, Veale admits, a lot of duds also come through the door. She remembers one lady telling her she had a plate that came over on the Mayflower. "Bless her heart," Veale recalls, "she came in with this plate wrapped so carefully, I thought she had the Crown Jewels or the Holy Grail. She unwrapped it, oh, so delicately, and said, 'This came over on the Mayflower!'" In fact, the unsuspecting lady had a pink Depression glass plate from the 1930s—from the Mayflower pattern. "Of course, I could not convince her that it was only worth about $35," Veale laughed, "so I helped her carefully wrap it back up and sent her off, still believing that it really came over with the Pilgrims. Family folklore is amazing!"

Both Mary Alice and Warren agree that those experiences are what make their job so interesting. "Just when you get so cynical, something great comes through the door," she saigL "It's like a perpetual treasure hunt."

Unlike other local antique dealers, however, these two treasure hunters search for bounty from all over the world. "We travel all over the world on at least four buying trips a year—Italy, China, France, Germany, Belgium, England, South America, the Phillipines, and Thailand," she said. "We have agents all over the world on every continent. If it's antique and you can describe it, we can find it!"

Though every piece in the store is fascinating, mother and son admit to having their own tastes and individual preferences. "I'm really getting into micro-mosaic jewelry and alabaster sculpture," said Mary Alice. She also collects cameos, and her home is filled with a mixture of one-of-a-kind European furniture.

Warren, on the other hand, collects musical items and glass, and he is gradually hand-picking several items to complete his own home. "Sometimes I find something, and I say, 'That's mine!'" he smiles. "I've just always been a dark wood fan. Mahogony carves well." He also enjoys pieces from the Rococo Period, when artisans crafted furniture into artforms, rather than mere functional objects. "From then on, there were swirls and curls," he said. "The craftsmen recognized this is not just a working piece of furniture; this is art! They took things to a different level, and I like that."

Warren suggests watching television programs like "Antiques Roadshow" and "Treasure or Trash?" is a good way for beginners to delve into an appreciation for antiques. "If you're a history buff, you're going to like antiques," he said. "If you

Antique Attic also has a large selection of original paintings and artwork.

know about the piece, you will appreciate it more. Knowledge is power in this business. You need to educate yourself."

Mary Alice admits she could sell the same pieces in Atlanta or New York for double, or even triple, her asking prices, but she insists the joy of her business is making her customers happy. "We're on Fortner Street in Dothan, Alabama, for Heaven's sake!" she said, "We want to keep the prices affordable so everyone can enjoy having a nice piece in their home."

Dothan Magazine
March/April 2006 - page 47