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Damage drains urn's value

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By JAY MOORE

Tribune correspondent

Published: June 28, 2009

I inherited a large covered urn with handles. I was never told exactly what it is, its age, origin or value. It stands about 18 inches high. It has raised areas and includes a brightly colored panel showing some men.

S.S.

Brandon

Your urn is a Japanese moriage porcelain jar made during the first half of the 20th century. Moriage features relief decoration. It was made by applying slip to a porcelain form that was then hand-painted and fired.

Although it is not very old, it is unusual because of its size. The bad news is it appears that the base is damaged. It would retail for $150.

The bulk of Japanese moriage we see these days is decorated with dragons crawling around, mostly in hues of gray and black. Often referred to as dragonware, it is very common and relatively inexpensive.

The large vase that I inherited from my mother is marked "Haviland, France" with a gold signature that I believe reads "T.J. Scoville." I have researched it, but cannot find out any information. What can you tell me?

M.M.

Tampa

Haviland china dates back to 1853, when David Haviland of New York founded a factory in Limoges, France, and began exporting china to America. The idea paid off and he became the largest exporter of French china.

Haviland is noted for hiring artists to decorate the wares at his factory. His sons eventually took over, including Theodore, who in the 1920s promised to put a set in every American home. The family retired in the 1970s.

This pitcher probably was hand-painted in America, since Haviland exported blanks for amateur and professional china decorators. It was made around the turn of the 20th century. It would retail for about $150.

Have a question about antiques? E-mail a complete description with a clear, high-resolution digital image in JPG format to baylife@tampatrib.com. Include a name, address and daytime phone number. Regular mail can be sent with clear photographs (not computer printouts or Polaroids) to Jay Moore, Getaway, The Tampa Tribune, P.O. Box 191, Tampa FL 33601. Because of the large volume of mail, not all questions can be used, and answers may not appear immediately. Sorry, no personal replies.

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