Q:I inherited a set of Nippon china and would like to know more about it. There are four cups, six small plates, three large plates and a creamer. It is decorated with women and a landscape. Each piece is marked. - A.W. Answer: It is geisha girl porcelain manufactured in Japan around the turn of the 20th century. It is so named because the hand-painted design features three or more geisha girls with a backdrop of Japanese scenery.

Q:My family owns a 1904 map of the United States, including territories. It is made of cloth, possibly linen. Does it have any value?—K.C. Answer: According to a museum property specialist at the U.S. Geological Survey Museum in Reston, this map printed on cloth probably was used at a U.S. Government General Land Office or at a school.

Q:I own a 7-foot tall mahogany secretary with carved claw feet that I believe is 70 or 80 years old. It is in good condition. There are no labels or marks. Please tell me what it is worth and what I can expect to sell it for. - C.M. Answer: This Colonial-Revival secretary bookcase was manufactured during the midto late 1930s or later. It is a good-quality reproduction that appears to be made of cherry. I believe that it was made by the Monitor Furniture Co.

Q:My Clark spool cabinet has a ribbon cabinet set on top. While it appears to be a single piece, I know that it is married. The pieces were used in my family’s store in the 1890s. They both are in very good condition. There are spools of old thread in the Clark cabinet. I would like to know its history, value and the meaning of the “O.N.T.“ slogan. - R.G

Q:My antique table has square tapered legs, a fold-over top and is inlaid. It is 36 inches wide and 29 inches high. My wife tells me it is a card table. One hinge is broken. Please tell me its age and value.—C.D. Answer: This American carved and inlaid mahogany Hepplewhite-style card table was made between 1790 and 1810. It probably originated in New York. This particular type often is referred to as a sash-front.

Q:My 9-inch plate is marked “H. Alcock & Co., Cobridge, England” and “LEAM.“ I have been able to discover on the Internet that the plate was made in August of 1885. However, I cannot find information about Alcock. What can you tell me? I also would like to know its value. - S.P. Answer: I do not know how you dated this semi-porcelain plate since I did not spot a registration number (similar to U.S. patent information). However, it probably was manufactured in the mid 1880s. It has aesthetic style transfer-decoration. The aesthetic style was popular during the late Victorian period. With a strong Japanese influence, it featured subjects from nature such as birds and flora.

Q:I inherited a mahjong set from my mother. I remember that the family would use the game, but I do not remember how to play. I have visited antiques shops and have not seen one like it. The playing pieces are made of ivory and bamboo. I would like to know its age and value.—S.S. Answer: The Chinese game mahjong has an interesting history, much of it myth. Some reports date the game back to 500 B.C., however, it likely dates from between 1850 and 1875. It basically is a card game using solid tiles.

Q:Please tell me about the origin, age, style and value of my antique armchair that has been in the family for about 80 years. It is made of dark wood and is upholstered. It has a carved crest and there are casters on the legs.—W.M. Answer: It is an Eastlake style armchair that probably was once part of a suite that may have included a sofa, a large armless chair and several side chairs. It probably was manufactured in America around 1880. It appears to be made of walnut.

WHAT’S IT WORTH
Q:What can you tell me about a lamp I inherited from my grandmother? It is electric and the shade and the base have colored glass panels mounted in a metal framework. It is in excellent condition. There are no marks. I was told that it is worth $3,000.—C.D. Answer: This nice slag glass lamp was manufactured during the late 1920s or early’30s. It appears to be in great condition with the original painted finish on the shade and matching base.

WHAT’S IT WORTH
Q:A few years ago, a friend gave me an old wheelbarrow. It is marked “WATCO, Made Especially for Watkins Cottrell Co., Richmond, VA.“ I would like any information you can provide about this company.—N.W. Answer: According to experts, the wheelbarrow was invented and first used in Greece around 400 B.C. These one-wheeled vehicles also were used by the Romans, in the Byzantine Empire, China and later in Europe.

Q:What can you tell me about my large metal vase that was purchased at an auction? The auction was from the estate of the archbishop of St. Paul, Minn.—Richmond. Answer: It is a large cloisonné vase made in Asia around the turn of the 20th century. Cloisonné is a very early technique of applying enamel to metal to produce vessels and other articles. It mostly was popular in China and Japan.

Q:I own a large set of china that was inherited from my husband’s side of the family. Each of the 87 pieces is marked “Haviland & Co., Limoges” and “Haviland, France.“ What can you tell me about it?—P.P. Answer: The Haviland brothers owned a porcelain import business in New York. While traveling in France in the 1840s, one stayed behind to work the business. They ended up owning several china factories in Limoges.

Q:This item belongs to my grandparents and has been in the family for a very long time. We believe that it as antique barometer. It is marked “By Appmt. To H.R.H. The Prince of Wales . . . 12, Donegall Place, Belfast.“ We would like to know its age and value. It is in good condition.—J.E. Answer: It is a barograph or recording barometer. It records current barometric pressure, a factor in predicting future weather. Experts credit the French for inventing the instrument in the 1840s. Mercury barometers were used much earlier.

Q:Please tell me about the prayer table I inherited from my grandmother years ago. I would like to know what type of wood it is and its value. It has been refinished.—C.K. Answer: It is an American Empire-revival library table manufactured around the turn of the 20th century. It probably is made of oak solids and veneers and originally finished with mahogany stain/varnish.

Q:I inherited an antique loveseat from my grandmother that has turned legs and casters. Please tell me about it, including its value.—T.D. Answer: It is an Eastlake-style sofa manufactured around 1880. It probably was part of a suite that included several side chairs and an armchair. It appears to be made of oak and originally was stained to duplicate walnut.