Pedestal dish worth passing on to family
Q. This is a photo of a sterling silver pedestal dish. I received it for a wedding gift in 1960 from my aunt who lived in New York. Marked on the bottom are the words “Wallace — Sterling — Weighted.” It stands over 3 inches tall and is in pristine condition. I'm sorting through things and deciding what to pass along to my children and what to toss. What can you tell me about my dish?
A. Wallace and Co. made your dish. The company was founded by Robert Wallace in 1865. Wallace was the son of immigrants from Scotland. At the age of 16 he became an apprentice to a spoon maker for Meriden Britannia Co. in Connecticut. In 1865, Wallace established Wallace Simpson and Co. and made silver spoons. By 1871, he bought out his partner and by 1875 he began to produce hollowware as well as flatware. After his death, his sons continued to successfully run the business. By 1892 the firm was one of the largest makers of flatware. Wallace Silver Co. continues today to produce sterling.
Your dish is used to serve candy. The number is a design number. Sterling objects marked “Weighted” have bases that are reinforced with copper, lead or wax to provide stability or strength. Candy dishes, candlesticks, salt and pepper shakers are typically weighted. It is required by law to label a weighted piece.
Your candy dish is worthy of passing along to one of your children. It is circa 1960 and would probably have a value of $125 to $150.
Q. I have enclosed the mark that is on the bottom of porcelain covered dish that I bought at an estate sale several years ago. It is decorated with multicolored flowers against a white background and trimmed in gold. If I remember correctly, I paid $10 for it. It is in perfect condition. Is it “Antique or Junque?”
A. “Epiag” is an acronym that stands for Erste Bohmische Porzellan A.G. Translated that means First Bohemian Porcelain Industry. “Epiag” was an association of several porcelain factories that was organized by the Austrian government in 1918. Springer and Co., Fischer and Mieg, Pirken-Hammer were several factory that were part of the association. “Moresque” is the name of the Moorish style pattern which was inspired by Islam art. The Muslim conquest began in Spain in the 700s. Their art influenced architecture, tiles and the decorative arts. Porcelain that is marked “Czech Republic” was made from 1920 to around 1945. Your covered dish was made in the early 1900s and 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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