Ioga mark baffles collectors
Q. We have an old German beer pitcher and mug set that has been in our family many years. Enclosed in my letter is a picture. The pitcher stands almost 8 inches tall and the mugs are about 4 inches tall. All are decorated with the image of a man with a pipe. The glaze is shiny and shades from brown to tan. Each piece is mark with a knight's helmet, crossed swords and the words "Ioga-Warwick." Any information about the maker, when it was made and value would be appreciated.
A. Warwick China Company made your beer pitcher set. The factory was founded in 1887 in Wheeling, West Virginia. They produced porcelain and semiporcelain that included umbrella stands, dinnerware, jardinieres, shaving mugs, and restaurant, hotel and railroad ware. Many pieces were hand-painted and others were decorated with transferware. Beer pitchers were often decorated with images of fishermen, Native Americans, monks, musicians and eagles. The mark you described was used from 1905 to 1920. No one knows the significance of the word "Ioga." It continues to baffle collectors and remains a perplexing mystery.
Your early 1900s beer pitcher set would probably fetch $125 to $175 in an antiques shop.
Q. This mark is on the bottom of a silver coffee set that I bought forty years ago at an antique shop. The set includes a coffee pot, teapot, cream pitcher, sugar bowl and matching tray. It is in perfect condition. I am in the process of downsizing and none of my children wants the set. What can you tell me about selling it and also the maker, age and value of my set?
A. International Silver Company was formed in 1898. They made both sterling silver and silver plate wares. Your coffee set is silver plate and the pattern is "Camille." The line consisted of coffee/tea sets, butter dishes, platters, trays, candlesticks and cake plates.
There is very little interest or value in silver plate wares. Most people don't want to invest time in maintaining and polishing. It is too formal for today's casual lifestyles. Even selling can be difficult. You might try offering it for sale on the internet or placing it on consignment at an antiques shop.
Your coffee set was made in the mid-20th century and might be worth $150 to $200.
• 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.
© 2018, Creators Syndicate