Q: I recently purchased an antique marble-top table for $120. The wood is walnut and has the original finish. The curved legs have burl trim and casters. It stands 20 inches tall, 27 inches long and 21 inches wide. There is a small crack in the marble, but other than that it is in very good condition.

What can you tell me about the style, vintage and value?

A: You have a Victorian Renaissance Revival lamp table. The style flourished from around 1865 to 1880 and was inspired by 16th-century Renaissance furniture. Scrolled legs with beveled edges, casters, raised burl trim and marble tops characterize the Renaissance Revival.

The height of your table is puzzling. Coffee tables were not made until the early 20th century. It is quite possible your table was originally around 29 inches tall and was cut down.

Although the damage in the marble is small, it does diminish the value. Nonetheless, it is worth at least what you paid, and the right collector might pay around $150 to $200.

Q: My grandmother was given a porcelain pedestal cake plate sometime after World War II. I think it was given as a wedding gift in 1949. It is about 6 inches tall and 12 inches in diameter, and it is decorated with pastel flowers, green leaves and gold trim. It is in perfect condition. This mark is on the bottom of the plate. Included with the mark is the word "Handmalerei."

Does it have any value other than sentimental?

A: Von Schierholz Porcelain Manufactory used the mark you provided. It was founded in Plaue, Thuringia, Germany, in 1817. "Handmalerei" is the German word for "hand-painted." Objects marked "East Germany" were made between 1949 and 1990. In 1972, the factory was nationalized by the German Democratic Republic in East Germany. Today it is called VEB Porcellan Manufactur Plaue. Von Schierholz vintage porcelain is highly valued by collectors. It is known for its figurines, decorative pieces, steins and music-box bases. Much of its porcelain was influenced by Meissen porcelain.

Similar cake plates made by Von Schierholz Porcelain Manufactory can be seen on the internet selling in the range of $25 to $50.

Victorian Renaissance Revival furniture was made from 1865 to 1880.

Von Schierholz Porcelain Manufactory was founded in 1817.

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.