Antique or Junque by Anne McCollam

Q: I am enclosing a photo of a porcelain dish that belonged to my mother-in-law; it is least 80 years old. Decorated with multicolored flowers against a white background, it measures approximately 10 inches in diameter. As shown in the photo, I wove a red ribbon through the reticulated edge. The back contains a lion in a shield and the words "Bavaria — Schumann."

Can you tell me its value?

A: Carl Schumann Porcelain Factory was founded in Arzberg, Bavaria, Germany. The multicolored flowers against an eggshell-white background was inspired by classical Dresden china patterns. Schumann closed in 1996.

Made around 1920, your Dresden style dish would probably be worth $75 to $125.

Q: This mark is on the back of a set of 12 porcelain dinner plates that I inherited from my grandmother. They are over 100 years old, each embellished with gold leaves and scrolls.

Perhaps you could tell me what company made my plates as well as their value.

A: Tressemanes and Vogt created your plates. They have produced porcelain in Limoges, France, since 1883.

Each plate would probably be worth $50 to $100.

Q: I have a teapot that belonged to my mother. Over 69 years old and still in excellent condition, it is decorated with hand-painted stylized flowers and a male figure wearing a dark blue hat and jacket and red pantaloons. Both the lid and the pot are trimmed in dark blue. Marked on the bottom, also in dark blue, are the words "HB — Quimper — France."

My mother always cherished her teapot, and I would like to learn more about it.

A: Quimper faience (tin glazed finish) has been made by several factories in Brittany, France, since the 1600s.

Most pieces seen today are decorated with primary colors, concentric bands of blue or yellow, hand-painted flowers and Breton peasant men and women.

Your teapot was made by the Faiencerie de la Grande Maison; they have been in business since the late 1700s. Similar teapots have sold in the range of $300 to $400.

Q: I hope you can help identify my pitcher. Containing a shiny glaze, the words "Made in France — Frie Onnaing — 714" are marked on the bottom. The face of an old man with a long beard is located below the spout, and the interior is a watermelon color.

A: You have a majolica pitcher that was made in Onnaing, France, near the Belgium border. Majolica is earthenware that has an opaque tin glaze. Since Onnaing had several factories, it can be impossible to identify the maker without a manufacturer's mark. The design number is "714." According to the provided mark, the majolica pitcher was made after 1900.

The value of your pitcher would probably be $75 to $125.

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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