Antique Stein Fit for a King by Anne McCollam on Creators.com

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Antique Stein Fit for a King

Q: I have enclosed a photo of a Mettlach stein that has been in our family for over 70 years. Decorated with an eagle and soldiers, it stands approximately 8 inches tall and is in perfect condition. On the lid are the words: "Gott Mit Uns." The bottom of the stein contains a castle and the words: "Mettlach — 1520."

I would appreciate your opinion of its value.

A: Your stein was made by Villeroy and Boch in Mettlach, Germany. They have produced earthenware since 1813. The eagle is a Prussian eagle, and the stein honors the German Kaiser. It holds 0.5 liters of liquid and "1520" is the design number. "Gott Mit Uns" means "God Be With Us" in German.

Your stein was made around 1897 and would probably be worth $700 to $1,000.

Q: After my mother passed away, I found a bowl among her things. It always sat in her china cabinet and now I am curious about it. Measuring 10 inches in diameter, the bowl is decorated with pastel flowers.

I would like to know more about the manufacturer, the age and value of her bowl.

A: Edwin M. Knowles China Co. made your bowl around 1945. They began in Chester, W.Va., in 1900. They added another plant in 1913 in Newell, W.Va., while maintaining offices in East Liverpool, Ohio. They made semi-vitreous dinnerware, hotel ware, cuspidors and utility ware.

Prior to World War II, Knowles China employed at least 900 people and was one of the leading china manufacturers in the United States.

By 1963, the factory was forced to close. They couldn't complete with the cheaper imports that flooded the market from Japan.

Your bowl would probably be worth $15 to $25.

Q: Last summer, I bought a dark green vase at a garage sale. It stands 8 inches tall and is in mint condition. It is decorated with a design that resembles church windows around the sides. Marked on the bottom are the words and numbers: "Haeger-108-U.S.A."

Any information you can provide will be appreciated.

A: Founded in 1871, Haeger Pottery has remained family owned and operated with plants in Dundee, Ill., and Macomb, Ill. Haeger started by making tiles and bricks and then introduced a line of art pottery by 1914. Over the years, they have produced jardinieres, lamps, planters, vases, figurines, ashtrays, dinnerware, a florist line and their popular panther figures. "108" is the design/mold number.

Most Haeger pottery is modestly priced and collectible. Your vase would probably sell for $25 to $45 in an antiques shop.

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.