Ask an Expert
Have you inherited an interesting antique that you’d love to know more about? Or maybe you’re intrigued by a recently acquired painting and are keen to know more? Our experts are here to help you
Into the Blue
A while ago we bought the painting (above) as it reminded us of the chalet we used to stay in in the Alps. According to the writing at the bo"om, it depicts Berwang in Tyrol, Austria, and is dated 1936. It also has a few stamps/marks in the le#-hand corner.
We are about to take the painting to be re-framed so that it stands out more and I was hoping your experts could tell me a bit more about it and especially the artist. Alicia Garcia, Edinburgh
Skiing became a popular activity in the 1920s and the original painting may have been commissioned as an advertisement for the Austrian resort of Berwang. This print exudes art deco style and is embossed with the stamp of the Fine Art Trade Guild. It is a limited- edition print (the le!ers ‘J N N’ are a code for the edition number). The signature looks like Underwood but the style of painting is quite di "erent from known artists of that name. To # nd the artist’s identity and decode the edition number, the Fine Art Trade Guild, for a small fee, will search its archives. The value is partly dependent on the artist but I can envisage this fetching £ 80-£100 at auction. CH
A Novel Find
Thirty years ago, my late father-in-law asked us if we would like some ‘cups and saucers’. We jumped at the chance and were duly handed two rather large, beautifully packed boxes. We were astonished to ! nd a Royal Doulton Dickens ware tea service with a teapot, but minus the sugar bowl and jug. To this was added other large plates, bowls and two jugs, again by Royal Doulton, depicting some lovely scenes. I would be grateful to learn the age of this ware and the value of the tea service. Here are some photographs for your information. Kay Harborne, London Founded in Lambeth, south London by John Doulton in 1815, Royal Doulton is one of the names most associated with celebrated British design and manufacturing. Pieces range from the practical and decorative stonewares of its inception to the high-# nish table ceramics produced in the 20th century, a $er the company was granted the Royal Warrant in 1901.
These items hail from the once hugely popular Dickens pa!ern from themed ranges collectively referred to as Series Ware. With characterful studies of Victorian Britain, they were highly collectable from the early to late 1900s, with popularity sadly falling over recent years as people increasingly opt for a more minimalist interior and tableware. In today’s market, this selection would fetch in the region of £100-£150. JT