It’s difficult to escape holiday shopping, whether you’re buying gifts, stocking up for dinner parties or just taking advantage of a sale. And stores make sure to entice you with flashy, tempting displays. Even if you’re not a fan of the commercialization of the holidays, store displays can be works of art. But collectors of antique adver- tising have known this for a long time.

Window displays often have the most interesting images, the cleverest ideas and the latest technical effects. Look at this automaton, which sold for $1,560 at Potter & Potter Auctions. It origi-nally stood in the window of O.E. Day Jeweler and Optometrist, as written on its mirrored base. Dressed as a harle- quin and holding a trumpet, the automaton resembles a medieval herald. When plugged in, it would have bowed to potential customers, offering a royal welcome to the store.

Q: I want to check the value of my vase. It is shaped like an urn with two handles on the sides and raised pictures of people and trees. There is a cupid flying above them. It is marked “F. & A. G.” on the base.

A: It sounds like your vase is based on the Portland vase, a famous ancient Roman vase. Many potteries made copies of it in the 18th and 19th centuries. The most famous and most valu- able copies are made by Wedgwood. The mark on your vase was used by the Austrian pottery company of Gerbing & Stephan (located in the present-day Czech Republic) from about 1900 to 1903. The initials stand for brothers Friedrich and Alexander Gerbing, who were running their family’s company at the time. The company made majolica, a tinglazed earthenware pottery, in styles inspired by ancient history, often with historical or mythological scenes. Today, their vases sell for about $150 to $200.

Q: I have a two-piece cherry corner cupboard that came from the home of George Clinton Jr., brother of De Witt Clinton, in New York State in the 1800s. The only provenance I have is verbal; I can’t find any paperwork. I would like to see it go to a place where it would be displayed and appreciated.

Do you have any suggestions?

A: George Clinton Jr. served in Congress as a representative from New York from 1805 to 1809. His brother, De Witt Clinton, was the governor of New York from 1817 to 1822 and 1825 to 1828. Their father, James Clinton, had served in the Revolutionary War. Connection to a historical figure increases the value of an antique, but there must be documented proof, whether it is in writing or photographs. Sometimes, circumstantial evidence may be enough if it is particularly strong and the historical figure espe-cially famous. A historical society in New York may be able to help you authenticate your cupboard. Even if you cannot prove the cabinet was owned by George Clinton Jr., if you decide to sell it at an auction, make sure the auction description includes the story. It will increase interest and may increase the value. Cherry corner cupboards from the Federal period, or late 1700s to early 1800s, can sell for anywhere from about $500 to over $2,000, depending on their age and condition.

TIP: The general rule about dovetailing: The fewer the number of joints, the older the piece. A drawer made in the early 17th century was either joined with one huge dovetail or was pegged together.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer readers’ questions sent to the column. Send a letter with one question describ- ing the size, material (glass, pottery) and what you know about the item. Include only two pictures, the object and a closeup of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included.