Lady on the Greene Inn and Antiques

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All about antiques, collectibles, and
terms commonly heard in the market.

See our list of recommended reading
for further interests.


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Hallmark - A stamp found on precious metal wares used to signify the purity and to help
identify gold,silver, and platinum.

Lithograph - Invented in 1798 by Czechoslovakian Aloys Senefelder.
This is a surface or planographic method of printing and relies upon the principle that water and
oil do not mix.

Majolica - Is a style of Victorian Pottery decorated with colorful lead
glazes. They are very uniquely shaped and usually served a fanciful
purpose. Some examples of Majolica makers are Minton, Griffen Smith
& Hill, USA, Chesapeake Pottery, and Wedgewood.


	Majolica Jardinere

McKinley Tariff - This law went into effect in 1891, and required that all items exported to the
United States from Foreign Countries be marked with their country of origin. However, the
McKinley Tariff is not a foolproof guide to dating antiques. Many companies put their names on
the wares even before compliance with the act.

Pontil - This is considered to be the naval of a piece of blown
glass. After a glassblower has gathered a glob of molten glass
onto the end of his blowpipe and "huffed" a bubble into its center,
he attaches an iron rod on the other end of the now hollow
spheroid. This rod is called a"punty" and serves as a handle while
finishing touches are added to the glass. When the punty is broken
off, the jagged spot that remains is the pontil. Sometimes this
pontil is left rough, and sometimes they are polished to leave a
smooth surface. Pontils are important to a piece of glass because
it indicates that the item was handmade.

Pontil as seen on a handmade marble

Porcelain-True porcelain is not porous even if it does not have a glaze. The body cannot be
scratched with a steel knife. It must be fired in a kiln at temperatures around 1,300 to 1,450
degrees centigrade. This material is commonly called "China" (as in Grandmother's Fine
"China")

Pottery-Is always porous. It must have a glaze on it in order for it to hold liquid. It is soft
enough that it can be scratched with a knife, and is generally fired at very low temperatures or
even out in the sun.

Victorian Era - Antiques made during the reign of Queen Victoria of
Great Britain are commonly called Victorian. This era dates to
1837-1901.



	Queen Victoria

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