Antiques & Collecting: Industrial design

One of the most popular and often most expensive categories of collecting is known as design. Sometimes called modern or industrial design, the term refers to the work of 20th and 21st century manufacturers who brought their distinctive style to various types of furnishings and housewares, from furniture to lamps to decorative sculptures to functional appliances.

Industrial design took off in the mid-century modern era shortly after World War II — think of Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi and Alvar Aalto — but artisans were working in multiple media before then.

Emile Galle, a pioneer of the art nouveau movement that started in the 19th century, is famous for his glass, ceramics and furniture. He is best known for the cameo glass made by the studio he founded in Nancy, France, in 1873.

His glass had the graceful curving shapes, Japanese influence and natural elements like flowers and plants that characterize art nouveau. So did his furniture.

This tea table by Galle, with scrolling legs, scalloped edges and inlaid cherry blossoms, sold for $2,800 at a Rago auction.

I have a piece of pottery 8 inches tall and 9 inches in diameter with no maker’s mark. The pattern is similar to Weller Knifewood pottery with a carved squirrel, owl and raven in leafy tree branches. Can you help me find the manufacturer or value?

Weller pottery is not always marked. Weller started making art pottery in the early 1900s. Designer Rudolph Lorber created several art pottery lines for the company, including Knifewood, which was introduced by the 1920s.

A 1921 catalog described Knifewood as having “the effect of which is suggested by the name. The various pieces have all the appearances of being carved out of wood by a sharp knife.”

Designs have matte or high-gloss glazes and feature woodland scenes with animals like dogs, squirrels and birds.

Unmarked Weller vases like yours tend to sell for about $200 to $300. Generally, the more three-dimensional elements, the higher the price.

Tip: Don’t try to clean an oil painting unless you are an expert.

Current Prices

Plastic, tray, Bakelite, Pavement, rows of pink circles, transfer printed, George Nelson, Bolt-A-Best, c. 1956, 13 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches, three pieces, $195.

Toy, car, racing, Super Hot Rod, open top, driver, red, yellow, light blue, flashing lights, battery operated, friction, box, Marx, 1950s, 11 1/2 x 4 x 5 inches, $250.

Tole, tea cannister, black, parcel gilt, armorial, shield flanked by griffins, red and white details, rectangular base, mounted as lamp, 21 x 10 x 10 inches, pair, $1,280.

Silver-sterling, tea service, pear shape, animal head spout, artichoke finial, server, bone handle, stand, coffeepot, teapot, sugar and creamer, oval tray, six pieces, $1,320.