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Collector’s Gallery: Mark Comes with a Mob Connection

By Elizabeth Burroughs-Heineman

A reader uncovers a porcelain mark tied to A. A. Vantine Co., once owned by mobster Arnold Rothstein—aka ‘The Brain’ and ‘The Fixer’—the inspiration for Gatsby himself. It turns out identifying porcelain marks is easier than fixing the World Series, but not by much!

Q: Could you please help me identify this mark? I’ve searched online but have had no luck. Thank you.

A: This mark was used by A.A. Vantine & Co., an import company that was in business in New York from about 1869 to 1951. They specialized in Asian imports, which is why the mark features the flags of Japan and Imperial (before 1911) China underneath the Turkish star and crescent. We haven’t found a specific date for this mark, but we have seen approximations of about 1910 to 1920.

When Japan opened to trade with the U.S. in 1853, it started a fashion for Japanese products in America. Ashley Abraham Vantine was one of many traders whose companies imported Japanese goods. He opened a shop in New York in the 1860s and had offices in Japan. The company also sold Chinese goods and gradually expanded to a general “Oriental” scope, selling Turkish, Russian, Indian, and Middle Eastern products as well.

By about 1916, Vantine’s New York location was called “The Oriental Store.” Most of the products were clothing, accessories, and home decorations. Elbert Hubbard, the founder of Roycroft, was a fan and praised the store in his magazine, The Philistine. Today, porcelain pieces from A.A. Vantine sell for about $30 to $50.

Arnold Rothstein

One of the most memorable aspects of A.A. Vantine & Co. is a brief time, 1926 to 1928, when it was owned by mobster Arnold Rothstein, also known as “The Brain” and “The Fixer,” an inspiration for the title character of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. He is rumored to have been one of the conspirators who threw the 1919 World Series. He grew his wealth and influence by selling alcohol during Prohibition.

Seeing the potential in illegal drug sales, he bought Vantines in 1926 as a front for smuggling. The company was a familiar, well-established one, so customs officials did not thoroughly search their shipments. This came to an end when he was killed in 1928, possibly over a gambling debt. What happened to Vantines after that is not certain, but the company was closed by 1951.

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Q: Hi, Folks at Kovels Antique Trader,

I have a piece of ceramic/pottery that appears to be hand-painted with roses and has quite a bit of gold leaf. I’ve been unable to identify the mark on the back and was wondering if you could help. Attached is a picture of the mark and a picture of the piece. There are no other marks. The piece is 10 1/4 inches by 8 inches. Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

A: We’re not surprised you had difficulty identifying this mark. It is an old and vague mark usually identified as Nippon. However, if you search for Nippon backstamps, this one will not pop up.

The mark on your beautiful tray is a Japanese porcelain mark, specifically that of the Nippon Toki Kaisha (Noritake Company). Nippon Toki Kaisha is translated as “Japan Pottery Company.” The cherry blossom included in the mark was a common motif used by various Japanese porcelain manufacturers during the early 20th century; it symbolizes beauty and the transient nature of life.

This particular mark with the words “Hand Painted” and the cherry blossom indicates porcelain made for export, primarily to the United States, during the early 20th century. Before 1921, the word “Nippon” (the Japanese word for Japan) was common; after 1921, the word “Japan” or “Made in Japan” was required on items meant for export to the U.S.

When I first learned about Nippon and Noritake, it seemed they were one and then two separate companies until I did some research. The following timeline may help untangle the mystery.

In 1876, the Morimura Gumi company began producing pottery. In 1891, it was renamed Morimura Brothers. This company became the Nippon Toki Kaisha company in 1904, and a new factory was built in Noritake, which created Nippon Toki wares. Most of their early products carried one of the many “Nippon” back stamps, which indicated the country of origin on products meant for the Western market. The best examples of these exports were seen between 1891 and 1921, carrying the “Nippon-era” backstamp.

Your tray, an early 20th-century example of Japanese workmanship, could sell for $60 to $75.

Our guest appraiser is Dr. Anthony Cavo, a certified appraiser of art and antiques and a contributing editor to Kovels Antique Trader. Cavo is also the author of Love Immortal: Antique Photographs and Stories of Dogs and Their People.

Do you have a question for Collector’s Gallery? Send your questions and photos via e-mail to ATNews@aimmedia.com. Please include as much pertinent information about your item as possible, including size, condition, history, and anything else that might help identify and value your item.

Smoking Hot Gypsy Lamp is Quite Unique

Q: Hi Dr. Cavo: We are looking for an appraisal for a Gypsy woman smoking stand, light and lamp. This item has been in the family for many years, and we believe it to be between 80-100 years old, bought in Chicago. It is 42 1/2 inches tall, rests on a brass, bronze-looking pedestal, and weighs 22 pounds. All parts are original and in working order.

Thank you for your time. -Dave

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A: Hi Dave: Your smoking stand is quite unique. I have seen this particular figure as a table-top piece as well as in the form of a stand like yours; however, it is rarely as complete as yours. The tray or the original beaded shade is often missing or replaced. The tray and the beautifully beaded, colorful shade are original to the piece. Some may consider the slag glass lamp in the base to be a bit excessive, but it adds splendidly to the overall appeal of this piece.

The figure holds a tray for ashes, which can be removed for cleaning. She is flanked by a pot for holding matches and a basket of sorts for cigars or cigarettes.

These figural pieces were made in Germany and Austria c. 1900-1920. I believe, based on the weight provided, that yours is spelter (white metal); as a bronze piece, this size would be much heavier. It is possible that the figure is bronze (the arms appear to have a bronze patina) while the base is spelter – which it seems to be. You can determine this by testing it with a magnet, which will stick to white metal but generally not to bronze. Whether or not a magnet sticks to it or not, it’s still very attractive.

The figure is cold painted, a technique using colorful enamel paints that was quite popular during the early 20th century, especially on bronze or spelter pieces originating in Austria.

This is the type of thing I would have bought, and my mother, who dealt in high-end art and antiques, would have said, “You need your head examined. ” She might have been correct because I am crazy about this piece. It is a style, however, that you either love or find ridiculous.

The table-top version of this piece (no stand, no lights) sells in the $250- $300 range. Yours has so much more to offer and is in such original, complete condition that I would appraise it at $450-$500 if it is spelter and up to $800 if it is bronze.

Our guest appraiser is Dr. Anthony Cavo, a certified appraiser of art and antiques and a contributing editor to Kovels Antique Trader. Cavo is also the author of Love Immortal: Antique Photographs and Stories of Dogs and Their People.

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