over a stylized M. You'll find examples in tumblers, vases, biscuit jars, etc.
CUT GLASS
Many novice dealers have trouble telling the difference between cut glass and pressed. Cut glass is sharp on the edges of the pattern, while pressed glass has a smoother feel to it. Near-cut glass is pressed glass of a little better quality than most and is slightly sharper on the edges. Made in many patterns, many of the better pieces of cut glass are signed by the manufacturer. Cracks and chips are often difficult to find and are more appare'nt to the touch than the eye. A crack will greatly detract from the piece, but the absence of a tooth on the edge reduces the value only minimally.
DAUM NANCY
The Daum Nancy glass works was started in Nancy, France, in the late 1800s by Jean Daum. This expensive, beautifully decorated, usually cameo or etched glass, has been marked in a variety of ways, but the mark usually includes both Daum and Nancy.
DAVENPORT
The word Davenport on a piece of pottery or porcelain means that it was made in Staffordshire, England, at the Davenport factory, which operated from the late 1700s to the late 1800s. Davenport creamwares, earthenwares, iron-stone, and porcelains were of high quality and are very desirable.
DE VEZ GLASS
This French cameo glass was made by the Cristallerie de Pantin in the late 1800s. Most pieces are signed De Fez, often in scroll.
DEDHAM POTTERY
First produced from 1891 to 1895 in Chelsea, Massachusetts, then in Dedham, Massachusetts, from 1895 until 1943 when the factory closed, Dedham Pottery dishes are easily identifiable, decorated with a crackleware finish and figures of animals and flowers. Most of the designs are done in dark blue and are backstamped Dedham Pottery with the picture of a rabbit—one of the manufacturers most popular subjects.
DEGUE GLASS
This French cameo or smooth glass made around the turn of the century bears the acid-etched signature, Degue. Vases are the most commonly found pieces.
DELFT
A tin-glazed pottery with blue and white or multi-colored decorations, Delft has been made in Holland since about 1564. Windmills and tulips are common designs. Many of the older pieces aren't marked, while pieces made after the late 1800s are usually marked Holland.
DOULTON
Pottery and porcelain wares made by Doulton and Company in Burslem, England, from the 1880s until 1903 were marked with the name Doulton in some form. Those marked Royal Doulton were made after 1903.
DURAND GLASS
This iridescent, American glass was produced at the Durand Art Glass Works, a division of Vineland Glass Works, in New Jersey from about 1924 until 1931. Much of it is signed Durand. Some pieces are numbered. Durand art glass is quite desirable.
ELFINWARE
Originally inexpensive porcelain pieces, Elfinware was made in Germany from about 1915 until the early 1940s. Raised flowers were a popular design. A variety of marks were used, including Elfinware, Germany, Made in Germany, and a crown with an M.
E.S. GERMANY AND E.S. PRUSSIA
From 1860 until 1925, the Erdmann Schlegelmilch factory in Suhl, Germany produced and sold both white ware and decorated porcelain. These pieces were marked E. S. Germany. At the same time, Erdmann Schlegelmilch's factory in Saxony, Prussia was making wares similar to those of its German counterpart. These were marked E. S. Prussia. Pieces marked R. S. Germany were produced by Erdmanns brother, Reinhold.
FLOW BLUE
Approximately ninety-five percent of all flow blue (also spelled flo blue) was made in the Staffordshire section of England. Flow Blue is characterized by a cobalt blue design that runs, or flows, into a white background. The more flowing or smudged the pattern, the more valuable the piece. Most pieces are backstamped with the name of the manufacturer, although these names are often difficult to read due to the effect of the flowing. Flow blue first enjoyed popularity in the 1820s. Oriental designs were often featured. Pieces decorated in gold are later than those without it.
FULPER
This pottery was in production in New Jersey from 1860 until 1930, when it became Stangl Pottery. The earlier pieces consisted of useful items such as stoneware bottles, jars, and churns; these are not readily found on today's market. You're more likely to spot some of Fulper's art pottery that they began making around 1910. Prized for the lovely glazes on these pieces, most are marked Fulper, RafcOy Prang, or Flemington.
GALLÉ, EMILE
Galle was a Frenchman who made furniture, glass, and pottery in the art nouveau style from 1874 until 1904 when he died. His factory continued operating, making glass and furniture until 1931 when it closed. You may have to hunt for the name Galle, as it was often incorporated into the design on a piece. Galle glass is highly treasured.
GRUEBY
From 1897 until 1920, the Grueby Faience Company produced tiles, art pottery, and garden statuary. The factory, in Boston, Massachusetts, perfected a green matte glaze that became Grueby's hallmark until it was copied by several other art potters. Grueby's high quality wares are marked Grueby Faience Co.; Grueby Pottery, USA; or Grueby, Boston, Mass., often in a circle with a flower inside.
HEISEY GLASS
From 1896 until 1957, in Newark, Ohio, A.H. Heisey and Company produced glass pieces in many designs and patterns. Beginning in 1901, Heisey marked items either with an H in a diamond, or with a paper label. The mark is often on the stem of a glass, near the spout of a pitcher, or hidden in some other manner. In 1960, three years after Heisey closed its doors, the Imperial Glass Corporation obtained the rights to some of the Heisey molds. From that time until 1968, Imperial Glass Corporation used the familiar H in a diamond mark.
INDIAN TREE
Used on china since the late 1800s, this pattern depicts a scene with flowers and the branch of a crooked tree. It's very colorful, incorporating an array of hues from orange through blue. China with older Indian Tree decorations are desirable, but the newer pieces are'nt worth very much. Look for signs of wear.
KOCH PLATES
In the early 1900s, plates decorated with birds, animals, vegetables, and/or fruits were produced in Germany. The name Koch is signed on the front of these plates, making them easy to identify.
LALIQUE GLASS
In 1909 the talented designer Rene Lalique opened a glassworks in France. Produced of high quality, his lead-based glass objects were acclaimed throughout the world by 1930. Most of the perfume bottles, vases, plates, paperweights, statues, etc., are acid-etched. Lalique glass is still made today, but the pieces that are most highly prized are marked R. Lalique, or R. Lalique, France and were made before his death in 1945 at which time the R was dropped.
LIMOGES PORCELAIN
Limoges, France is the site of many porcelain factories because of the high quality of clay available there. From the mid-1800s until the present, all manner of items from dinnerware to vases and humidors to lamps have been created there. Each factory has its own marks, most of which incorporate the word Limoges. Often you'll find two marks—one from the factory
