Q: Enclosed you will find a photo of an Empire side chair, which I picked up in Buzzard's Bay, Maine, a few months ago. The chair is very solid; it has mahogany veneer on the crest rail, the horizontal back splat and the curved front seat rail. The crest rail is outlined with cherry.

I completely refinished the wood and secured the springs. It still had the original needlepoint cover on the seat, but it was so deteriorated that I had to replace it professionally.

I think the chair was made about 1840. Am I right? Could you also please tell me what it is worth?

A: The overall design lines of your chair, including the curved front legs, are typical of the Empire period of furniture. The style began in France when Napoleon was emperor, thus the name Empire. The style is also known as Classical, since it was inspired by ancient Roman and Egyptian furniture and architecture. By 1810, the design had spread to the United States.

Most pieces were handcrafted by cabinetmakers, but the Victorian Era and the Industrial Revolution changed everything. Beginning in the 1840s, furniture was factory-made and styles changed quickly.

Your estimate of your chair's age is correct. Its value would probably be $400 to $600.

Q: This mark is on the bottom of a bud vase, which was given to me by the daughter of one of my friends who passed away. The vase is approximately 5 inches tall with a cobalt blue and white pattern. In addition to the mark, there is a label with the words "Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles."

I am interested in learning more about my vase and its value.

A: De Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles has made stoneware and faience in Delft, Holland, since 1653. Of the original 32 earthenware factories, it is the only one surviving. The letter "J" superimposed over the "T" serve as the initials of Joost Thooft, who bought the pottery in 1876. The letters "LE" are the artist's/decorator's initials.

Translated from Dutch, De Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles means "The Royal Porcelain Jar." The Delft blue and white designs, seen in antiques and gift shops today, were first used for the pottery in the late 1800s.

Your vase is a 20th century piece and would probably be worth $50 to $100.

Q: I have a gold metal "Evening in Paris" compact with its original cardboard box. The compact lid has a diamond-quilted design, and the overall measurements are 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches. Inside is a place for a tube of lipstick, rouge, face powder and a powder puff. It belonged to my sister-in-law who passed away about 50 years ago.

I would like to know if it has any value.

A: Monsieur Alexandre Napoleon Bourjois founded his cosmetic company in Paris, France, in 1863. Bourjois introduced his "Evening of Paris" line of perfume in 1929. Bottled in cobalt blue containers, his perfume or toilet water became an icon. Gift boxes lined in satin filled with "Evening of Paris" perfume and powder were perennial favorites for special occasions. Bourjois's legacy of creativity and innovation continues today.

Your collectible compact was made around 1930; its value would probably be $50 to $60.

Address your questions to Anne McCollam, P.O. Box 247, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Items of a general interest will be answered in this column. Due to the volume of inquiries, she cannot answer individual letters. To find out more about Anne McCollam and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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