Karlsbad Vase

Q: What can you tell me about this 12-inch vase? I found it in a garbage basket awaiting the garbage truck in the 1950s. The black dots near the center of the flowers are raised from the surface of the vase. The bottom is stamped with a green mark with a crown over the entwined initials “CK” and “Karlsbad, Austria.” Is this worth keeping or is it junk?

A: This mark was used by the Karlsbad Porcelain Factory Carl Knoll from about 1916 to 1918. Karlsbad became part of Czechoslovakia in 1918, and is now Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. The initials “CK” are those of the founder, Carl Knoll. The factory was in business from 1848 to 1945, when it was nationalized. It made dinnerware, decorative porcelain, giftware, and porcelain dolls’ heads. The vase is worth keeping. It could sell for as much as $500 or more.

 

Vienna Austria Vase

Q: I inherited this porcelain vase from my mother-in-law, but I know nothing about it. It’s about 13 inches tall and the base is about 4 inches wide. It is marked with a green crown with two shields.  It’s signed, “M. Reiszmen, 1905.” Is this the artist? Can you provide any information about its history and possible value?

A: This green crown with two shields mark was used by four importers in New York City: P.H. Leonard (from about 1885 until 1898), Bawo & Dotter (1864 to about 1914), Charles L. Dwenger (before 1895 until after 1917), and Paul Staub (1915 until 1970). The mark was owned by Count Thun’s porcelain factory and used on Vienna porcelain. The factory started in Klosterle, Bohemia (now Klasterec, Czech Republic) in 1819 and is now operating as Thun Karlovarsky. Hand painting porcelain blanks was a popular hobby in United States in the early decades of the 20th century. The signature on your vase is likely the name of the amateur artist who decorated the vase. Vases similar to yours have recently sold for $50 to $120.

Silver Plate Vase

Q: I’d like to know who made this vase and what its value is. It’s been passed down in the family, though I don’t know how much of the information is true. My mother’s great aunt received a dozen long stem roses in it on her wedding night. I’ve been told it’s circa 1898 and is pewter. There is an embossed design on the handle and on the top of the vase. It’s about 8 3/8 inches high, not counting the handle, and about 15 inches to the top of the handle. The handle swings back and forth and is not in a fixed upright position. It has this mark on the bottom with the initials “EPNS” on the shield and “L” and “B” below that.

A: Your vase, or flower basket, is silver plate, not pewter. It was made by Lehman Brothers Silverware Corp. of New York City. The company made silverplated hollowware. The initials “EPNS” stand for “electroplated on nickel silver.” A thin layer of silver is plated onto the base metal (an alloy of copper, zinc, and nickel) using an electric current. The silver can eventually wear off because it’s so thin. You can try using silver polish to see if the dull finish is from tarnish. If the silver is worn off, it can be replated but might not be worth the cost. In perfect condition, with the silver intact, it might be worth $50. In worn condition, it would be much less but still has sentimental value.

Millefiori Vase

Q: This tiny vase was given to me when I was a little girl and I’m now 82. It’s 2 inches tall. I was told it was Tiffany but there is no mark on the bottom. It’s beautiful colored glass and there are no imperfections. Does this have any value other than sentimental?

A: This is not a Tiffany vase. It’s millefiori glass. The word “millefiori” means “a thousand flowers.” Millefiori glass is made of many small pieces of glass resembling flowers that are grouped together to form the design. Tiffany didn’t make millefiori glass. The vase isn’t Tiffany quality and there is no signature. so its low in value, under $25.

Roseville Vase

Q: Our church is cleaning out “odds & ends” and this vase is one of the items on the pile. It’s 8 inches high and has a small nick on the top. The bottom is marked “Roseville, USA, 882.” What is it worth?

A: Roseville Pottery Company started in Roseville, Ohio, in 1890. Another plant was opened in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1898. The company was in business until 1954. The pattern on your Roseville vase is called “Bittersweet.” It was introduced in 1951 and made with yellow, green or gray background. The pattern was made in at least 42 different shapes, including vases in different shapes and sizes, baskets, bowls, cornucopias, jardinieres, planters, wall pockets and more. Some reproductions made in China have been offered for sale the past few years. The vase, if it didn’t have a chip, sells for about $60. Collectors don’t want damaged examples, so the buyer will probably be someone who want to use if for flowers. 

 

Carlsbad Vase

Q: What’s the value of this old vase? It has a Colonial couple playing chess on the front. The back is flat and there are two holes near the top. There is a beehive mark and a gold sticker with “J.K.W., Decor, Carlsbad” on the back. 

A: You have a decorative wall pocket. The two holes in the back of your vase are so it can be hung on the wall. The initials are for Josef Kuba Werkstatte (Josef Kuba Workshop), a porcelain factory founded by Kuba in Carlsbad (also spelled Karlsbad), Bohemia, in 1930. The company moved to Wiesau, Bavaria, Germany, in 1945. Kuba’s son took over the business in 1972. The company closed in 1989. This gold sticker mark was used from about 1930 to 1945. The beehive mark was not used by Kuba after 1952. The factory made many porcelain items with romantic scenes. 

 

Roseville Water Lily Vase

Q: I have recently inherited a Roseville vase and am searching for help to identify its authenticity and value. It’s marked Roseville, U.S.A., 75 – 7” on the bottom. Can you help me?

A: Roseville Pottery Company started in Roseville, Ohio, in 1890. The pottery opened another factory in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1898. The company went out of business in 1954. Roseville made several lines with molded flowers or fruit. Your vase is part of the Water Lily line introduced in 1943. Vases in several shapes were made, as well as baskets, bookends, bowls, candlesticks, ewers, a cookie jar, jardiniere and other pieces. Pieces were made with white, yellow or lavender flowers on a pink, blue or brown background. The numbers indicate the shape of the vases and the size, 7 inches. Value of your vase, $100 to $200.

Royal Haeger Vase

Q: I’d like to know if you know if the vase attached has any value? It was my grandmother’s. On the bottom is “Royal Haeger, RG148, USA” in raised letters. I see them online but not with the numbers stamped on the bottom like the one I have.

A: This is a planter made by Haeger Potteries, Inc., of Dundee, Illinois. The figure is Madonna. The company started making commercial artwares in 1914. Early pieces were marked with the name “Haeger” written over the letter “H” but the mark was changed to “Royal Haeger” about 1938 in honor of Royal Hickman, a designer at the factory. The pottery closed in 2016. Haeger made several different versions of the Madonna planter. We’ve seen other planters like yours with the same mark on the bottom. The “RG” mark indicates this planter is part of the Royal Garden Flower-ware line, which was made from 1954 to 1963. Pieces were made with solid matte finishes. The designs were numbered in the order in which they were made. The last piece designed was numbered “RG198.” Value of your planter, about $15.