Victoria porcelain set fit for a queen
Q. Enclosed is a photo of a china canister set. My grandmother purchased the set for $10 from a Chicago neighbor decades ago, possibly in the 1930s or 1940s. She used the set in her own home for years. It has since been proudly displayed in my mother's home, and now it's in my home. Marked on the bottom of each piece are a crown and the words "Victoria - Czecho-Slovakia." The set consists of five large canisters (for flour, coffee, teas, rice and barley), six small spice containers (for pepper, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger and allspice), an oil and vinegar set, and a saltbox. There is no chip or crack or any other damage to the china. The wooden top on the saltbox shows minimal aging, but all pieces look to be in excellent condition. The gold accents and all-over iridescent coloring are beautiful. My guess is the set is from the art deco period.
What can you tell me about its vintage and value?
A. Victoria Porzellan, Schmidt & Co. made your porcelain canister set. The factory was founded in Bohemia, Austria, in 1882 and closed in 1945. Bohemia became part of Czechoslovakia in 1918. The area was rich in kaolin, which is used to make porcelain. Although there is some art deco design influence, the pattern and the iridescent glaze reflect the classical Edwardian designs of the late 1800s and early 1900s. In 1993, Czechoslovakia was divided and became the Czech Republic and the Slovakia.
Your porcelain canister set is circa early 1900s and would probably fetch $225 to $275 in an antiques shop. Insurance value would be at least $325.
Q. This mark is on the bottom of a pottery jardiniere with a matching pedestal. It belonged to my great-aunt and was always set in her sunroom. When she was downsizing, it was one of the things she wanted me to have. The jardiniere is about 8 inches in diameter, and the base is 14 inches tall. Both are in mint condition. It is decorated with a green glaze that shades to tan. Both the jardiniere and base have dogwood-type flowers in relief.
I would never part with it but would like to learn more about its maker, vintage and value.
A. Robinson Ransbottom Pottery Co., located in Roseville, Ohio, made your jardiniere and base. Frank Ransbottom founded his factory in 1900. In 1920, he merged with Robinson Clay Products. It produced stoneware, pottery and kitchenware until it closed in 2005.
Your pottery jardiniere and pedestal base would probably be worth $175 to $275.
• 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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