Clues to help date your antiques

Do you have an old plate or vase that used to belong to great-grandma and now you’re wondering how old it actually is?

“Here’s a clue. Turn the dish, vase, bottle or whatever over. If the name of the country where the piece was made is printed on the bottom, it was probably made after 1890. The reason for this is that in 1890 the United States government passed a law requiring that the name of the country of origin appear in writing on each piece of pottery or porcelain imported into the U.S.

“If the name of the country is accompanied by the words “made in” then it was made after 1914. If no country name appears, then look for other markings. The word “trademark” was used on English pieces after 1855 though most items made after 1880 were marked “Ltd.”

“Some early plates show three small marks on the face. This is called a ‘spur’ mark. The spur is a three-pronged object that separates the plates during baking and was used prior to 1825.

“Some mold-blown bottles are really quite old. Three piece molds were used as early as 1809, so if you find a bottle with three seams, you’re lucky because it most likely is old and rare.

“The color and shape of the bottle can tell something of its value also. Evaluating it on a good, better, best scale, brown, greenish-yellow and light blue are good. Milk glass and dark cobalt blue are better. Then dark purple and amber are best. Note that bottles shaped like a person or object have some value.

“If you have a Mason jar with raised lettering dated 1858, don’t get too excited. That is the date of the original patent and jars were made with that date for upwards of 30 years from that time. Even Mason jars lie about their age!

Louis Comfort Tiffany has been called the father of iridescent glass. As a renowned artist and businessman, his products were rather expensive so if you own an original it should have some value.

You know it is a true Tiffany if it is signed “Tiffany” or initialed “L.C.T.” A few of his pieces were not signed, but it would take an expert to determine if it is a really Tiffany or not because his work was widely copied.

Since there are so many imitations, if you think you have an original, have it checked out by more than one expert in order to be sure your Tiffany is truly authentic. Getting a second opinion is always wise.

So that piece that has been in the family for years … is it a valuable antique or is it just old?