Regluing joints should help creaky Victorian parlor chair
Q. Enclosed is a photo of a chair that we recently purchased because it was so unusual. Although it is intact, it is a little creaky and wobbly, so we will not allow anyone to sit in it. Could we have something done with it to make it less fragile? Most important of all, could you please give us any information about the age, style, purpose and value of this chair?
A. You have a circa 1900 late Victorian parlor chair. It was more decorative than functional. The turned legs, spindles supporting the arms and the decorative round knobs are typical of factory-made late Victorian chairs. Similar chairs were placed in parlors, sitting rooms and foyers. Regluing the joints should make your chair sturdier.
Your chair would probably be worth $175 to $275.
Q. I have enclosed the mark that is on the bottom of a vase that my mother bought in the 1960s in an antiques shop. It stands about 10 inches tall and is decorated with a Victorian young woman on the front. The glaze shades from tan to darker brown; the top is scalloped; and there are handles on either side. The vase is in excellent condition. I don't really like it, and don't know if I should keep it or put it in a garage sale. Is it antique or junque?
A. Warwick China Company made your vase. It is an antique and popular with collectors. They were in business from 1887 to 1951 and were located in Wheeling, West Virginia. C.E. Jackson and a group of four other men founded the factory. They produced decorative pieces that included umbrella stands, jardinieres, dresser sets, shaving mugs, fraternal order wares, hotel ware and dinnerware. Many of their vases, jugs and jardinieres were decorated with portraits of young women, Native Americans, monks and sailors. Some were hand-painted, and some were decorated with decals. Many of the images of women were of gypsies or “Gibson Girls.” At one time, Warwick China Company produced at least 10,000 sets of dinnerware a month.
The “Ioga” mark was used from 1905 to 1920. Your vase was probably decorated with a decal. Similar vases can be found selling anywhere from $50 to $125.
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