Question: The chair seen in this photo is one of a pair that I purchased several years ago for $25 each. Each chair is mark "S. Bent & Bros. - Since 1867 - Colonial Chairs of Quality - Gardner, Massachusetts." Although both chairs are in good condition, they do show signs of wear, especially on the legs and front stretcher. I would appreciate anything you can tell me about the chairs and their manufacturer.
Answer: The firm S. Bent and Bros. Inc. was established in 1867 in Gardner, Mass. It produced Colonial Revival Windsor-style chairs in massive quantities from 1880 to 1910.
Your chairs were inspired by chairs made in the late 1700s and early 1800s in New England and Pennsylvania. Windsor chairs can be identified by vase and ring splayed legs supported by an H-shaped stretcher, a curved one-piece arm that terminates in plain ends and surmounted by a modified comb-back, and wide saddle seat.
People are also reading…
S. Bent and Bros. continued making Windsor chairs into the late 20th century. Your chairs were made in the early to mid-1900s and would probably be worth about $200 to $250 each.
Question: What can you tell me about the enclosed mark that is on the bottom of each piece of a porcelain dresser set I have? The set consists of a covered box, a hair receiver, two perfume bottles and a tray. They are decorated with pastel sprigs of spring flowers and green leaves against a white background. The set is in perfect condition.
Answer: Heinrich and Co. made your dresser set. It has made porcelain in Selb, Bavaria, Germany, since 1896. Your set was made around 1906 and would probably be worth about $225 to $325.
Question: Can you provide any information on a company that made pressed glass dinnerware items in the 1970s? It is called Wheatonware and was sold at home parties. They made a variety of glassware that included compotes, decanters, and cruets in amber, pale blue, white and dark green.
I was told the company went out of business in the late 1970s. Several of my serving pieces were damaged in moving and I would like to find replacements. I have looked in antique shops, flea markets, even yard sales in several states, but haven't had any luck.
What advice can you give me?
Answer: In 1970, the Wheaton Historical Association in New Jersey, purchased over 800 molds from Kemple Glass Co. John and Geraldine Kemple established Kemple Glass in 1945. They bought antique molds that originally were used to make colored pressed glass and milk glass pieces that were inspired by cut glass.
When Wheaton purchased the Kemple Co., they used the molds to make reproductions from 1970 to 1979 that were marked "Wheatonware." No reproductions have been made since 1979 and all the molds are in storage at the Wheaton Museum.
Replacements are not easily found. Continue your search and also check the Internet.
Question: I have a cobalt-blue glass turkey on a nest dish. It stands about 5 inches tall and is in excellent condition. On the bottom is the letter "B" in a triangle.
Who made my dish, is it a collectible and what is it worth?
Answer: Bernard C. Boyd and his son Bernard F. Boyd bought the Degenhart Glass Co. in 1978 and started Boyd's Crystal Art Glass Inc. in Cambridge, Ohio. Every five years a line is added to the diamond shaped mark. The mark on your dish has no lines around it, showing it was made between 1978 and 1983.
Your dish is a collectible and would probably be worth about $45 to $50.
Address your questions to Anne McCollam, P.O. Box 490, Notre Dame, IN 46556. For a personal response, include picture(s), a detailed description, a stamped, self-addressed envelope and $15 per item (one item at a time).
