What’s it worth?

Q:I have a silver tea and coffee service that belonged to my grandmother. On the bottom, it is stamped "Ascot Sheffield Design, Reproduction by Community." What is the estimated value? -- B.W.

Answer: The Oneida Community was an experiment in communal living started in Oneida Creek, N.Y., in the late 1840s. The community began making tableware in 1877 and, in 1926, debuted silver-plate holloware.

Ascot is one of Oneida's old holloware patterns. This set probably was made in the late 1940s or early'50s. Oneida last produced Ascot in 1955 and ceased production of all holloware about 10 years ago.

The service would retail for about $100. Silver-plated tea and coffee services really do not fit with today's lifestyle and are not in high demand. Replacements Ltd. buys and sells silver, crystal and china.

Q:I would like to know more about a pitcher and basin, including value. I have searched the Internet with limited results. It is marked on the bottom. There is a very small chip on the basin. -- T.Z.

Answer: Your set was manufactured in England. It may originally have had matching pieces, such as a commode. Wash sets were popular between 1850 and the first quarter of the 20th century.

I cannot make out the manufacturer's mark in your photograph. The transfer-printed pieces were made in Staffordshire around the turn of the century. It would retail for about $125.

Have a question about an antique or collectible? Send e-mail to with a jpg digital image, or send a complete description with a clear photograph to Jay Moore, Flair Department, Richmond Times-Dispatch, P.O. Box 85333, Richmond, VA 23293. Photographs will not be returned. The large volume of mail may mean a delay in publishing answers.