Circa 1900 piano stool is unusual find
Q. I have been reading your column for many years and occasionally find an "I have one of those!" A couple of months ago, you made my day with your Q&A about a piano stool. I have a similar one and I have been looking for information about its history for a long time. Enclosed is a picture of mine. It was given to me by my mother-in-law. I can't find an identifying mark anywhere, so I have no idea of who made it. It is in very good condition. I think the back is unique and it also has glass ball and claw feet.
Can you tell me more about my piano stool, and should I just go with the $150 to $350 price range you gave the one in your earlier column?
A. Most piano stools did not have a back, yours is unusual. The turned legs ending in glass ball and claw feet, and adjustable seat, are characteristic of wood furniture made around 1900. Some stools were marked with the manufacturer's name on paper labels and have not survived a century of use.
The value of your piano stool would probably be in the high end of the range.
Q. This mark is on the bottom of a vase that I have. It stands about 10 inches tall and is decorated with a bird against a gold background. There are four loop-like handles about halfway down from the top. It is in mint condition.
I know nothing about its origin, maker, age or value. Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
A. You have an example of art nouveau pottery. It was made by the Amphora Porzellan Fabrik in Turn-Teplitz, Austria. Hans and Carl Riessner, Rudolf Kessel and Edward Stellmacher founded their pottery factory in 1892.
Your vase was made around 1900 and would probably be worth $300 to $400.
Q. I have a brass floor lamp that has been in the family since the 1920s or 1930s. It has an ashtray halfway up from the marble base. There is a retractable cigar lighter under the ashtray. The shade is missing and the overall height is 62 inches. I could not find a manufacturer's mark. An antiques dealer told me my lamp is not very desirable.
What can you tell me about my lamp?
A. There is not much demand for your lamp. The style is not popular.
Similar ones are offered for sale in the Internet in the range of $75 to $125. That doesn't mean they are ever sold at that price.
• 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