Q: Enclosed is a photo of a piece of Quimper pottery that I purchased at a garage sale. It stands about 8 inches high and 6 inches wide. There is an opening that is divided into three compartments. Signed on the bottom are the words "Henriot Quimper France — 337." I would like to know what this piece is. I have looked in many books — general and specific ones — about Quimper pottery, but have yet to find anything on this object. I thought it might be a vase, but it doesn't hold very much water, and the water tends to run out if overfilled because of the downward angle of the sides.

I would like to know how old this piece is, and if it has any value.

A: You have a fan vase that was made by Henriot Quimper around 1925. The butterfly-feet base, floral trees, figure in blue pants holding a whip and four blue dots scattered on the side are typical of Quimper pieces. Quimper faience was made in Quimper, Brittany, France, as early as 1600. From the early 19th century, the pottery was decorated with Breton figures and motifs in primary colors. Jules Henriot pieces have been made since 1884, and are very desirable. The mark you described was first used around 1922. Your vase is also called an eventail, a French word meaning fan-shaped. The vase was intended to hold short-stemmed flowers.

The value of your vase would probably be $150 to $175.

Q: This mark is on the bottom of a cut-glass pitcher that belonged to my grandmother. She bought the pitcher from a neighbor who was moving in 1944. The pitcher stands about 8 inches tall and is decorated with swirling designs, faceted stars and fan shapes. The handle is notched. My grandmother told me it was made during the Brilliant Period of cut glass. I keep it in a china cabinet, and it is in mint condition.

I plan to pass it along to my daughter and would like to have more information on the maker and value.

A: Your cut-glass pitcher was produced by T.G. Hawkes & Company in Corning, N.Y. The Brilliant Period of cut glass began in the late 1800s and ended just before World War I. Hawkes & Company produced outstanding cut glass. It was favored by the White House, affluent American families and European royalty.

Your pitcher is circa 1900 and would probably be worth $125 to $150.

Quimper faience was made in Quimper, Brittany, France.

. The Brilliant Period of cut glass began in the late 1800s.

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