Drinking scenes popular motif carved on chairs
Q. I am enclosing a picture of a chair my parents bought in Philadelphia prior to 1926. I am 91 years old and can remember vividly my struggle to climb up and sit in the chair at the age of 3. The width across the arms is 24 inches; the height at the back is 36 inches; and the depth of the seat is 19 inches. The carved scene on the back appears to be two people drinking in a medieval setting. There are no markings on it to indicate the maker.
I would like to be able to give my son, who will inherit it, some information on its background. What can you tell me?
A. You have a circa-1900 wood chair depicting a drinking scene in a tavern or a pub. Wood chairs decorated with carved scenes were popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The back with a carved pub scene, turned legs, supports and stretchers, and double-ring wood seat are typical of these chairs. They were usually oak and had carved scenes of kings, religious themes, dogs, the north wind and pubs. Although the chairs were usually stationary, an occasional rocker can be found in antiques shops. Many were made in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and some earlier chairs were made in Germany.
Your chair appears to be in good condition and has a smooth finish. Similar chairs can be seen for sale on the internet in the range of $350 to $750.
Q. This mark is on the bottom of a set of two porcelain cups and saucers that I have. I collect cups and saucers and am curious about this mark. Each piece is decorated with two gold bands, one on the edge and a smaller one inside. The smaller band also has several urns of flowers. The background is white, and they are in perfect condition.
What can you tell me about the mark, vintage and value of my set?
A. Porcelain that is marked "Czechoslovakia" was made from 1920 to 1945. "Epiag" is an acronym that represents Erste Bohemische Porzellan A.G. Translated that means First Bohemian Porcelain Industry. "Epiag" was an association of porcelain factories that was organized by the Austrian government in 1918. "Moresque" is the name of the pattern that was inspired by Moorish designs.
Your cups and saucers were made in the early 1900s, and the set 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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