Whale of a lamp made by Sandwich Glass Company
Whale of a Lamp
Q. Enclosed is a photo of a Sandwich glass whale oil lamp. The pattern is "Moon and Stars" and it stands about 9 inches tall and 4 inches at the base. It is clear glass, has been electrified and is in mint condition. I bought it some time ago and paid $50.
What can you tell me about the age and value of my lamp?
A. Sandwich Glass Company was founded in Sandwich, Massachusetts, by Deming Jarvis in 1824. The name was changed to Boston and Sandwich Glass Company in 1826. They produced blown three mold, free blown and pressed glass in both clear and color. The company closed in 1888.
Your whale oil lamp was made around 1840 and would probably be worth $50 to $100.
Q. This mark is on the bottom of a pottery vase that I bought around 10 years ago. It is decorated with a blue matte finish and stands about 8 inches tall. It has clusters of tulip shaped openings for flowers and is in excellent condition.
Anything you can tell me about my vase will be greatly appreciated.
A. Niloak Pottery Company made your vase. It was founded by Charles Dean Hyten in Benton, Arkansas, in 1911. The native Arkansas area was rich in clay, or kaolin, which is fine white clay that shades to gray. "Niloak" is actually the word kaolin spelled backward. They also developed a marbleized ware known as "Mission Swirl." The technique was patented in 1928.
You vase is a version of a strawberry jar. It was made sometime between 1939 and 1947. It would probably be worth $25 to $50.
Q. My daughter-in-law recently bought a salt and pepper shaker set at a yard sale. She knows I collect salt and pepper shakers and thought I would enjoy this set. They are the images of sitting bears and are about 6 inches tall. They are decorated with a tan finish and are wearing hats. Marked on the bottom are the words "Twin Winton."
I really like the set and would like to know more about its history.
A. Twin Winton Ceramics in Pasadena, California, made your set. The company was founded by twin brothers Ross and Don Winton after World War II. The business was sold in the early 1950s.
Your set would probably be worth $25 to $50.
• 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 Syndicate