Pendant's marking puzzles owner
Q. This is a picture of an old pendant that I found in my mother's jewelry box. The stones are topaz- and amber-colored. The setting and design are beautiful, but it's the back of the pendant that is of interest. On the back and in the center is a metal star in a circle. That symbol represents the Texas Ranger badge.
Is there a connection to the Texas Rangers? I hope you can solve this mystery.
A. There is no connection to the Texas Rangers. A star in a circle is also the mark of costume jewelry made by H. D. Merritt & Company. It is just a coincidence that both used the same symbol. H. D. Merritt & Company was located in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, from 1855 to 1930.
Similar pendants can be found selling in the range of $35 to $50.
Q. This mark is on the bottom of a glass-covered dish about which I am curious. It stands over 3 inches tall and is 5 inches wide. The lid and the dish have gold filigree bands and are hinged. The dish is decorated with pastel flowers and beading against a mint-green background. The inside is lined with silk.
What can you tell me about its maker, age and value?
A. You have an example of an Opal Ware dresser box that was made by C. F. Monroe, in Meriden, Connecticut. Charles F. Monroe founded his company in 1880 and bought blanks from other factories. Some pieces were blown-molded glass. C. F. Monroe purchased blanks from Pairpoint Manufacturing Company located in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and several European glass factories. Opal Ware was white opaque glass, and most pieces had a soft acid-wash finish. They were hand-painted with flowers or transfer print images of angels or young women. "Nakara" is the trade name of the ware. C.F. Monroe also produced "Wave Crest" and "Kelva." The company closed in 1916.
Your "Nakara" dresser box would probably be worth $300 to $500. Monroe also made larger ones that are in the $500 to $1,200 range.
• 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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