Reader's early 20th-century 'sauce bowl' is really the berries

on November 07, 2007 at 3:01 PM, updated November 07, 2007 at 10:42 PM
This carnival glass berry set was made by the Fenton Art Glass Co. around 1910 and would probably be worth from $350 to $400.

Q. Enclosed is a photo of a violet iridescent glass bowl that belonged to my grandmother. She referred to it as a sauce bowl. It measures approximately 8 inches in diameter and there are six matching smaller bowls. They are all in perfect condition. The flowers that decorated the inside of the bowl are in relief. I think the set is around 80 years old.

A. You have an amethyst carnival glass berry set that was made by Fenton Art Glass Co. The large bowl was used to serve fruit and the smaller ones were individual serving dishes. The creation of carnival glass sprang from a desire to compete with expensive Tiffany glass.

The iridescence of carnival glass was achieved by spraying the surface of pressed glass with metallic salts before firing. It produced a high-quality glass at a reasonable cost. Most carnival glass was made from 1905 to the late 1920s.

Your berry set is an example of the pattern "Little Flowers" and was also known as "Stippled Diamonds and Flowers." It was introduced in 1910. Fenton Art Glass Co. has been in business since 1905 and has been located in Williamstown, W.Va., since 1906.

Your berry set would probably be worth $350 to $400.

Q. When my son was born in 1950, a co-worker gifted me with a beautiful demitasse cup and saucer to celebrate his birth. They are decorated with pastel flowers against a white background and are in mint condition. On the bottom of both the cup and saucer are the words "Merit - Occupied Japan."

I wonder if you could tell me the value of the set.

A. Goods that were exported were marked "Occupied Japan" and were made from 1945 to 1952 during the Allied occupation after World War II. Japan porcelain factories before and also after the war produced and exported large amounts of high-quality dishes and decorative accessories. Objects that were made during the occupation are very popular collectibles.

The value of your cup and saucer would probably be $25 to $50.

Q. We are curious about a plaster sculpture that has been passed down in our family. It was made by John Rogers, is titled "Wounded Scout," stands around 24 inches tall, and is painted brown.

A. John Rogers created his sculptures from around 1859 to the early 1900s. History, everyday experiences, literature and the theater were the sources for his inspiration. Many of his sculptures that are seen today in antiques shops are painted plaster casts of his original red clay pieces. Collectors are advised not to repaint any of his figures.

Your sculpture would probably be worth $650 to $850.

Q. I have a full set of porcelain dishes that is a service for eight. Each dish is decorated with a 24 karat gold encrusted pattern with platinum centers. Included in the set are small salt and pepper shakers, a teapot, cream pitcher, and sugar bowl. I have enclosed the mark that is seen on each dish.

What can you tell me about my dishes?

A. You dinnerware was made by Schmidt and Co. Porcelain Factory. They were located in Altrohlau, Bohemia, from 1882 to 1945.

The mark you enclosed was used on porcelain from 1918 to 1937. Your set of dinnerware would probably be worth $400 to $800.
