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Porcelain Canister Set Spices Up the Kitchen
Q: This photo contains an old porcelain canister set from Germany. The set was given to my mother-in-law by a friend who immigrated to the United States. We think the unmarked set is at least 80 years old, and each piece is in excellent condition.
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Earthenware Set Serves as a Treasured Family Heirloom
Q: This is a photo of a chocolate pot with a matching dinner plate and small plate that has been in our family since the late 1700s. Marked on the bottom of each piece are the words, "Baker and Co. — Persian Rose." According to our …Read more.
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.
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Nursery Rhyme Figurines Not Just For KidsQ: 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 pictured figurine is "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary," and the number is "1107." I hope you can determine the value, if any, of my figurines. A: Not all nursery rhymes are what you think. They often have dark historical meanings. "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary" is a reference to the daughter of Henry the VIII, and some believe the silver bells and cockleshells represent instruments of torture. Your figurines were made by the George Zoltan Lefton Co., which was founded in Chicago in 1941. Each of your figurines was made in the late 20th century and would probably be worth $25 to $50. Q: I enclosed the mark that is on several plates that I inherited from my grandmother. The plates are decorated with flowers and a pheasant against a cream-colored background. Also included with the mark are the words: "Antique Ivory from Salem." The pattern number is "SML 122." Do you know anything about these dishes? Is there any way you can help locate pieces to add to my collection? A: Salem China Co. was located in Salem, Ohio, from 1898 to the 1960s. Scour the Internet, e-Bay, antiques shops and estate and yard sales. Also, china-matching services can be found on the Internet. Your dishes would probably be worth $20 to $25 each. Q: I work for a lady who has a ceramic pig that was made in Occupied Japan. It is about 4 inches long and decorated with leaves and a bird. There is an opening on the pig's back for planting a flower. Could you help us determine the value? A: Objects marked "Occupied Japan" are popular collectibles. They were made after World War II during the American occupation from 1945 to 1952. Similar pig planters produced during the occupation period are in the range of $15 to $25.
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.COM 
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