Q: The enclosed picture is of a vase that has been in my family for over 75 years. It belonged to my grandmother who passed away at the age 64 in 1949. Over the years, the vase was handed down to my father and then on to me. The only thing I know about the vase is that it was always in the living room, sitting in a corner of my grandmother's house. The vase is 15 inches tall and in good condition, except one of the handles has been repaired. If you didn't know it had been broken, it would be very hard to find.
I don't know why I never asked my dad about its history, but now it is too late. Anything you can tell me about this vase will be greatly appreciated.
A: You have a Satsuma hand painted vase that was made in Japan. Satsuma pottery has been made in the Satsuma province since the 17th century. Early pieces were sparsely decorated often with flowers, scrolls or animals. By the 19th century, holy figures, warriors, human figures, and legendary figures began to appear. Later in the 19th century, designs included raised enamels, more colors, and moriage (raised white dots). After World War I, large amounts were exported to the West.
Your vase was probably made in the late Meiji period, 1868 to 1912, or the Taisho period, 1912 to 1926. The damage to the handle diminishes the value. If it were in mint condition, it would be worth $100 to $175.
Q: I have enclosed a drawing of the mark that is on the bottom of a set of mugs that I found in my mother-in-law's home when we were helping her downsize. She said she had forgotten about them and doesn't remember where they came from. The set was packed away in a box and apparently had never been used. They are a tan color and female figures form the handles. Each female is in the state of undressing and one is nude.
What can you tell us about our mystery mugs?
A: The mark you provided was used by Dorothy Kindell Pottery located in Laguna Beach/Corona del Mar, California. She produced pottery giftware, figural household pieces and figurines from the 1940s to 1950s. Your mugs are part of a six-piece set featuring women disrobing with abandon. One in the set is attempting to climb headfirst into the mug.
Your mid-20th century mugs would probably be worth $200 to $250 for the set.
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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