1) Pair of brass mounted Porcelain Ewers with Floral decoration

Q. This is a lovely set I picked up at an estate sale and really need help identifying they are 18 inches tall and have the number 02/106 with a rod that connects the top and bottom brass pieces. The nut is quite rusty but still seems to hold well. They are hand painted and are not as bright as the photos show but are in excellent condition. I need help as I do not know where to turn as far as maker or date made. There was a lot of stuff from W. Germany at this estate but do not know how this fits in to the maker. I have not found another like this so far.

A. By just looking at your great photos and based on your description, we tend to agree with you that these originate from Continental Europe, most likely Germany, Bohemia (Czechoslovakia/Austria), or France. They probably date ca 1900 - 1930s and this pair of Decorative Ewers are in the distinct Classical Greek style, very popular around that time.

The Brass mounts were usually produced to order for the Porcelain Factory that made and decorated these pieces and the number is probably an Inventory or Model Number (or other internal manufacturing reference), not significant in terms of its identity. The real clues should be the mark(s) stamped or impressed on the actual Porcelain parts, which are probably concealed by the brass mounts. If, as you said, the nuts are rusty, I would be very careful in considering unscrewing them to reveal the bottom of the Porcelain portion, but that would be where you will find a more definitive answer to confirm attribution. If you decide to do so, please send another inquiry with photos of any marks you will find and we will be happy to research them for you.

 

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2) Cigar Holder (?)

Q. I believe that this is a cigar holder. It is designed in the shape of a tree trunk with 9 holes at the top and a larger hole to the left at the top of a shorter tree trunk. It is decorated with tobacco leaves in the front and there is a possible match strike area in front of the leaves. It is marked on the bottom: 136 within a scroll rectangular area. This is 5 inches tall. The base is 4 1/4 x 3 inches. The material is hard and at first glance would appear to be porcelain or pottery, but it is not. There are swirls of color on the bottom of the base.

1. Is this a cigar holder? 2. What is is made of? 3. Who made it? 4. When was it made? 5. Is there a book or resource for this or something similar?

A. In our opinion, this is in the typical shape of a Spill Vase, a type of holder for long matches used until the 1920s to light up a fireplace. These were very popular in Europe, especially England & Germany, and many examples can be found on Rubylane, Google etc, usually made of Porcelain or Earthenware. It can also be used as a Pipe Holder or nowadays as a Bud Vase.

The mark is unmistakably that of VILLEROY & BOCH, used at their Mettlach Factory (Germany) ca 1852 - 1873. The number within this rectangular cartouche is the Model Number. If this item is authentic, it would have been made of Porcelain/Earthenware, and we are a bit concerned that you say that it does not "feel" like that. Please note that many pieces have a glaze that gives them a special sheen, which may feel different than exposed or regular Porcelain. If in doubt, please take the item to a local Auction to have one of their experts tell you of the material. If it is indeed Porcelain and you believe that this item has age, then it is most likely authentic and possibly valuable; if not, then it may be a recent import from China made of Resin and having an imitation mark. But I have a feeling that this is the real thing... :-)

In terms of resources for marks etc, any related book or our own websites (www.Marks4Antiques.com) would be of help. In fact, for those that are already members, this mark is actually included in our database under "Cartouches".

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3) Pair of Figurines

Q. A Pair of bisque, porcelain figurines. Each stands 8" tall and approximately 3" wide. There appears to be a signature at the base of the dress but I have not been able to identify it. (Perhaps I'm just seeing something that isn't there). Could these be modern reproductions? I have had absolutely no luck identifying these. Any help, direction and advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

A. Unfortunately, these two figurines appear to be unmarked. Just from what we can see on the photo, we do not think the markings near the bottom-front are significant and are most likely decorative details as suggested. Most identifying marks are located at the bottom or occasionally the back. Another clue is that the hands on each of these figures seem very coarse, whereas most older pieces are more refined and detailed, usually with each finger being clearly separated. In general, although they seem like a very nice decorative set, we believe that this may be a more recent import from China or elsewhere and do not seem to have any age (possibly 1980s- Present). The vast majority of these imported items have a sticker or label (instead of a stamped or impressed porcelain mark) to indicate Country of Origin (required after 1891), which is often lost or removed.

If you locate any other marks or have other information pointing otherwise, please let us know.

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4) Griswold utility skillet

Q. I have a Griswold square utility skillet that appears to be copper. The letters on the back are square within the signature cross and it has No. 768 on the back. I'm having trouble finding it in any reference books. Any
ideas?

A. Although it is hard to confirm without any photos, your description of the mark (a cross within a circle) is indeed a mark used by GRISWOLD. They worked with mostly Cast Iron and their items are very collectible. The No. 768 is just the Model Number and/or Size, and based on our references, this Model is a Square Frying Pan made of Cast Iron. I am not sure what your question is, but if you wanted to know more about Griswold, they were established in Erie, PA, USA, ca 1865 and closed in 1957. Their early marks were simply "ERIE" (or similar) and the cross-in-circle mark was used after 1890s. A search on Rubylane or Google should give you several examples with which to compare yours.

Best regards,

marks4antiques.com

 

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This regular column is designed to inform readers about the identity of various antique and collectibles items, and to show how each item’s identity was arrived at.  It is hosted by Marks4Antiques.com, a San Francisco, CA, based company that provides the largest and most comprehensive databases of marks on Antiques & Collectibles on the Internet.

Marks4Antiques.com was created to help Collectors and Dealers to research Antiques & Collectibles. Specifically,

To facilitate an unbiased Antiques Research & Evaluation environment, no Trade (buying or selling) of items is allowed through these sites as they are totally dedicated to Research. All staff are avid Collectors, Appraisers and professional Dealers

The editors of Notes from the Lane and the staff of marks4antiques.com invite you to submit your questions and comments via the comments section located below. If you would like help with identifying a particular antique or collectible item please send your inquiry, along with clear photographs of the item and close ups of the mark or other features, to blogarticles@rubylane.com. Selected items will be chosen to be featured in the What's This? column. While it is our desire, we cannot however research every item submitted, nor respond to every email inquiry personally. We are committed to providing our readers with enough helpful information to research an item on their own.