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1908 Wedding Gift is a Valued Heirloom Q: I am enclosing a photo of a hand-painted porcelain vase that my parents received for their wedding in 1908. On one side is a night scene, while a female and a male lion are on the other side. Standing about 10 inches tall, the dragon handles and …Read more. Mythical Water Deities Serve as Inspiration for Dragonware Q: I have enclosed a photo of my inherited teapot. It is part of a set that includes a creamer, sugar bowl with lid, six cups and saucers. Each piece is decorated with a black dragon against a background that shades from white to black; the designs …Read more. Nursery Rhyme Figurines Not Just For Kids Q: This is a photo of my porcelain figurine. There are a total of nine, all in perfect condition, and each represents a nursery rhyme. Each figurine has the title, a number and a red sticker with the name "Lefton" on its bottom. The …Read more. Vintage China Set Made in America Q: This pictured platter is part of my china set. The set includes 74 pieces and is in mint condition. Each piece is marked: "Wardell — Federal Shape —Syracuse China-Made in America." I think the set may have been made in the …Read more.
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Antique Hair Wreath Circles in on Profit

Q: The enclosed photo shows an antique hair wreath that was made by my great-aunt around 1880. It is in the original octagonal frame, which measures 29 inches in diameter and is lined in silk.

I would love to know its value and history.

A: Hair weaving was a popular craft in the Victorian Era. It involved weaving hair that belonged to family members into wreaths or jewelry. Wreaths were often made as memorials to deceased relatives; they were usually mounted on silk and framed behind glass in shadow boxes. The horseshoe shape is open to heaven and a symbol of luck.

Your wreath is an example of mourning art, and even though it's a tad bizarre, it would probably be worth $800 to $1,500.

Q: This mark is on the bottom of my antique porcelain vase. The vase, decorated with a woman in a long dress, stands approximately 10 inches tall. On each side of the vase are handles in the shape of serpents. It belonged to my grandmother and always sat on a shelf in her china cabinet.

What can you tell me about the mark and the value of my vase?

A: Beyer and Bock created your vase. They made porcelain in Volkstedt, Thuringia, Germany, from 1853 to around 1960.

Your vase was made in the first quarter of the 20th century and might be worth $225 to $275.

Q: I have an antique gold thimble that I would like to know more about. Made by Thomas Brogan, it is marked with a star and "14-K-9."

Could you tell me its age and value?

A: Thomas Brogan Co.

was located in New York in the late 1800s and early 1900s. "9" represents the size. Thimbles are popular sewing-related items.

Your solid gold thimble was made around 1880 and it would probably be worth $200 to $400.

Q: I have a child's pink glass luncheon set of dishes that belonged to my mother. It consists of a cream pitcher, sugar bowl, and four each of cups, saucers and plates. I have been told the set was made by the Jeannette Glass Co. and the pattern is "Cherry Blossoms Pink."

What is my set worth?

A: You have a very desirable Depression glass collectible. Jeannette Glass Co. was located in Jeannette, Pa., and made the "Cherry Blossoms Pink" pattern from 1930 to 1939. The set was produced in both pink and delphite, an opaque blue color.

The value of your set would be $350 to $400.

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.

COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.


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