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Go Figure - Decorative Pair Date Only To '50s

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By JAY MOORE, Tribune correspondent

Published: February 9, 2008

A friend gave me two figurines of a man and woman that he said were in his mother's home. They are marked with a leaf and the words "Fern" and "Hand Painted." Both pieces are in excellent condition.

P.S.

Land O' Lakes

The porcelain figurines were made in Japan in the mid-1950s. "Fern" apparently was an importer that also used the brand "L&M." The firm seems to have specialized in crude copies of antique French porcelain.

Thousands of Japanese factories churned out porcelain for export from the turn of the 20th century through the 1930s and after World War II. Much of the early porcelain is excellent, but quality later declined.

The pair would retail for about $45.

I inherited my desk from my grandmother. I believe it is about 70 years old, but there are no markings. It has cubbyholes, slots and drawers inside. It is in very good condition. How old is it, and what is it worth?

M.R.
Sun City Center
Your dating is correct. It is a reproduction of a Chippendale-style block-front desk manufactured in the 1930s. Most reproduction slant-front desks are straight or serpentine-front, but quality still varies.

The term "block-front" refers to the protruding midsection on the drawer fronts. The form was especially popular in 18th century Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Fine antique examples sell for more than a nice house.

This reproduction, which probably has been refinished, would retail for about $200.

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Have a question about antiques? E-mail a complete description with a clear digital image (.jpg file) to athome@tampatrib.com. Include a name, address and daytime phone number. Regular mail can be sent with clear photographs (plain-paper prints or Polaroid

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