Late Victorian rocker has pressed, not carved, scroll work
Q. This oak rocker has been in our family for 80 to 90 years. It has scroll work across the top, has an imitation leather seat and is in excellent condition.
Anything you can tell me about the background and value of my rocker will be greatly appreciated. Also, should I have it insured?
A. You have a pressed back Golden Oak late Victorian rocker. The scroll work across the crest rail was pressed into the wood rather than hand carved. The furniture manufacturers used a new technology that was introduced in the late 1800s. A metal die was used to press embossed designs into wood. Pressed backs can be seen on rockers, side chairs and high chairs. The imitation leather seat, turned legs, back and side spindles, stretchers and pressed design are all typical of furniture that made around 1900. Pressed back furniture was widely popular from around 1890 to 1915.
The insurance value of your circa 1900 rocker would be $150 to $250.
Q. I am curious about the mark that is on the back of a porcelain plate that I have had since the late 1950s. The plate is decorated with multicolored pansies and green leaves. It is 9 inches in diameter and in mint condition.
I would like to have some information on the manufacturer, its vintage and value.
A. Rosenthal and Company made your plate. They have made fine porcelain in Selb, Bavaria, Germany, since 1879. As the company grew, they added several new factories. Rosenthal is well known for producing high-quality dinnerware and figurines. They are in business today and produce porcelain for the United States market.
This mark was first used in 1953. It would have a value of $45 to $50.
Q. I have a “Jack-in-the-Pulpit” footed glass vase that was given to my mother by her great-aunt years ago. It has a blue iridescent color and stands 10 inches tall. It is not marked.
I would appreciate any information you can provide.
A. Art glass “Jack-in-the Pulpit” vases were in demand in the first half of the 20th century. They can be characterized by the resemblance to the jack-in-the-pulpit wildflower blossom on a tall stem. Not all were marked, making it almost impossible to identify the maker.
Your early 1900s vase would probably be worth $50 to $75.
• 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.
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