Berkey and Gay Furniture Co. known for exceptional work
Q. I would like to know the history and estimated value of the china cabinet seen in this photo. My grandmother probably purchased it in Northeastern Ohio or Northwestern Pennsylvania in the 1920s or 1930s. It appears to be built of walnut and has three shelves on the inside and one drawer. The dimensions of the cabinet are 36 by 32 inches. The overall dimensions are 39 inches wide by 61 inches high. The doors appear to be hand painted, and the hinges and pulls are quite ornate. A medallion that says “Berkey and Gay Furniture” is located inside the drawer on the right side.
A. You have a Colonial Revival court/china cabinet that was made by Berkey and Gay Furniture Company. George Gay became a partner in the Berkey Brothers Company in 1866 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1873, the firm was incorporated and the name was changed to Berkey and Gay. Fine craftsmanship was the criteria for their furniture. Their skilled craftsmen and experienced designers were knowledgeable of the construction of Colonial furniture. Colonial furniture was in demand in the early 1900s. Berkey and Gay specialized in Renaissance Revival, Jacobean, William and Mary, Classical furniture and Eastlake.
Your court cupboard is circa 1920. It should be insured for $1,000 to $1,500.
Q. This mark is on the bottom of a flow blue covered butter dish that I have. I bought it around 30 years ago at an antiques shop. It is decorated with sprays of blue flowers against a white background. The border is blue with a scrolled design and edged with gold. It is in perfect condition.
I paid $35 for it and would like to know its current value as well as any other information you can provide.
A. Stanley Pottery Company made your butter dish. They were located in Staffordshire, England. They used the mark you enclosed from 1928 to 1931. The number included with the mark is a British Registry number showing the pattern was registered with the government in 1898. “Touraine” is the name of the pattern, and it was produced also by Henry Alcock and Company, located in Staffordshire, England, from 1861 to 1910. Buyers beware, though. “Touraine” patterns with the Stanley mark and registration mark have been reproduced in China since around 2001. Fake pieces include tea pots, plates, platters, bone dishes and vegetable dishes. Collectors can relax if the mark on their “Touraine” flow blue dishes includes the word “England.” The mark on fake pieces does not include “England.”
Your butter dish would probably be worth $75 to $85 on today's market.
• 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.
© 2015, Creators.com