Goodson Gallery

Rita Scaglione’s 1984 painting for Tony “Joe Batters” Accardo offers a rare look into a world she knew personally.

Preserved with the work is the original period photograph that served as its source showing Tony Accardo, Nick Nitti, and others from his circle. Rita then transformed that real moment into paint, even placing herself into the finished composition.

The painting comes directly from the Scaglione family estate and is part of ongoing research into Rita’s life, career, and the remarkable network of people she painted.

We’re continuing to document her work and history, particularly her connections between Chicago, Las Vegas, and figures from the casino and organized-crime world.

For inquiries regarding the acquisition of this painting, other works by Rita Scaglione, or information relating to her life and career, contact Goodson Gallery directly at [email protected].

Remembering Rita Scaglione through one of her most fascinating works — a painting tied directly to Tony “Joe Batters” Accardo and the world around him.

The painting, preserved by Rita’s family estate, depicts Accardo, Nick Nitti, and others from that circle, with the original period photograph still surviving alongside it. Rita even appears to have painted herself into the scene, turning a real photograph into something much more personal.

This article looks at the story behind the painting, the people in it, and the remarkable provenance that connects Rita’s work to Chicago and Las Vegas.

Read the full story here 👇

Rita Scaglione, Tony Accardo, Nick Nitti & Casino Bosses Explore the remarkable story of Rita Scaglione, a documented “painter of Casino bosses,” and a family-estate painting of Tony Accardo, Nick Nitti and associates with its original photograph.

An exceptional survival of nineteenth-century South Indian silverwork.

Attributed to Tamil Nadu, India, and dating to approximately circa 1850, this finely handcrafted pendant reflects the close relationship between temple sculpture, personal adornment, and traditional silversmithing in southern India.

At its center is a figure believed to represent a Surasundari, or “Celestial Maiden”—an idealized embodiment of beauty, grace, prosperity, and divine femininity. She appears surrounded by flowing lotus-palmette scrollwork and a stylized peacock motif, all enclosed within a carefully hand-punched petal border.

The pendant was formed from thin sheet silver using the ancient technique of repoussé, in which the design was raised from the reverse through controlled hammering. The surface was then refined from the front through hand chasing, producing the crisp facial features, jewelry, scrolling ornament, and sculptural depth visible across the composition.

Its angled profile reveals a domed, hollow construction rather than solid casting, while the plain concave reverse preserves historical wear, hand-worked irregularities, and evidence of its traditional formation and later adaptation for suspension.

Despite measuring only 1.25 inches in diameter, the pendant contains an extraordinary concentration of craftsmanship, symbolism, and regional artistic tradition.

Swipe through to examine its relief, profile, backing, and handmade construction in greater detail.

Available through Goodson Gallery.

Because the finest antiques are never simply purchased.
They are rediscovered.

A lot of important cultural projects never move forward because people assume funding is impossible to find.

But grants exist for far more than most people realize: artists, museums, historical societies, archives, documentary films, preservation projects, educational programs, local history work, and cultural organizations.

The hard part is usually not whether funding exists. It is knowing where the project fits, which opportunities make sense, and how to present the cultural, educational, and public value clearly.

In our latest Goodson Gallery article, we break down the different types of grants available for artists, museums, historical projects, documentary filmmakers, and preservation work, plus why project positioning matters so much.

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Grants for Artists, Museums & Historical Preservation Projects How grants for artists, museums, historians, and preservation projects work, including cultural funding and humanities grant opportunities.

Ever look at an old chair, table, cabinet, or dresser and wonder if it’s actually worth something?

Antique furniture value comes down to much more than age.

Style, period, maker’s marks, construction, wood type, condition, original hardware, patina, and real market demand all matter. A piece can be over 100 years old and still be fairly common, while another piece with the right maker, design, or provenance can be far more valuable than expected.

In our latest Goodson Gallery article, we break down how to evaluate antique furniture step by step, what details to look for, and why comparing to the wrong online listings can lead sellers way off track.

Before selling, restoring, or shipping a piece, it helps to know what you really have.

Read the full article here:

What Is My Antique Furniture Worth? Expert Value Guide (2026) Wondering what your antique furniture is worth? Learn how to value old furniture step-by-step and get a professional appraisal today.

Found an old book and wondering if it’s actually worth anything?

The honest answer is: maybe.

Some old books are only worth a few dollars. Others can be worth hundreds or even thousands, but age alone is not enough. The real value comes down to edition, condition, author, rarity, demand, signatures, and whether collectors are actually looking for that specific book.

In our latest Goodson Gallery article, we break down how antique book value works in simple terms, why online listings can be misleading, and when it makes sense to get a professional book appraisal.

Before guessing based on inflated prices online, it helps to know exactly what you have.

Read the full article here:

What Is My Old Book Worth? Find Its True Value Fast Wondering what your old book is worth? Learn how to value antique books and get a professional appraisal quickly.

Howard Miller clocks are everywhere: estate homes, antique shops, auctions, and family collections.

But not every Howard Miller clock is valuable, and that is where most people get tripped up.

Some are common household clocks. Some are strong decorative pieces. A smaller group are truly collectible, especially certain high-end models, premium grandfather clocks, and George Nelson designs.

In our latest Goodson Gallery article, we break down how to identify a Howard Miller clock, why model numbers matter more than serial numbers, what features affect value, and what the 2026 market actually looks like.

The big takeaway: same brand, completely different categories.

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Howard Miller Clocks: Value, Models & Identification Guide How to identify Howard Miller clocks, understand model numbers, and determine value. Expert guide on pricing, collectibility, and trends.

When antiques get delayed at customs, the problem is usually not the object.

It is the paperwork.

A vague invoice that says “old table,” “antique painting,” or “vintage silver item” may not be enough to support proper classification. Customs needs clear information: what the item is, how old it is, where it comes from, and why it qualifies as an antique.

In our latest Goodson Gallery article, we break down the documents commonly needed for antique imports, why standard invoices often fall short, and how an Antique Age Declaration can help make the process clearer.

For collectors, dealers, expats, and estate shipments, good documentation can prevent confusion, delays, and unnecessary duty issues.

Read the full article here:

Antique Customs Documents: What You Need for Import Learn what antique customs documents are required for international shipping. Avoid delays and prepare proper documentation for antiques.