Tall Sideboards Are Back in Modern Homes

Bigger has become better again in furniture. The oversized, high-ceilinged rooms of modern homes need large, tall pieces of furniture. One of the Victorian shapes that is back in demand among collectors is the tall, carved sideboard.

It was the most important piece in a well-furnished dining room. In the mid-19th century, each room had a special purpose, and that purpose was indicated by the type of furniture used.

The sideboard was an obvious, impressive symbol of dining. The most popular style had three-dimensional, carved embellishments that represented the food of the day. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, and dead rabbits, deer, fish and birds were popular. So were guns, hunting trophies and allegorical figures.

The sideboard served as a serving table, a storage unit for silverware and dishes, a sign of wealth and an indication of the types of food that would be served.

Today these large pieces sell from $2,000 to $20,000 each.

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Question: My grandfather has an old tin toy showing a woman dancing. It is marked “Marque Deposee, F.M.” Where was it made and when?

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Answer: If your family came from France, the toy might have come with them. It was made by the Fernand Martin toy works. It was a famous French toy firm working in Paris from 1878 to 1912. The company made inexpensive, hand-painted, mechanical tin toys.

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Q We have used Dirilyte flatware since the late 1940s. I washed it in the dishwasher for years, but when I recently changed detergents, the gold color of the Dirilyte started turning an orange-copper.

I have been unable to locate the manufacturer, so I am wondering if you can tell me how to remove this stain. And do you know why the special polish I could buy for Dirilyte back in the ‘50s is no longer available?

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A Dirilyte looks like gold, but it is actually a solid, nonplated bronze alloy. It was developed in Sweden in 1914. Production moved to the United States in 1926. The product’s original name, Dirigold, was changed to Dirilyte in 1935. Today the Dirilyte Co., a division of Hand Industries, is in Warsaw, Ind. Dirilyte can tarnish from exposure to air, frequent use or contact with some detergents or foods. A polish to remove tarnish is available from the company. Your flatware might have discolored because the finish has worn off. You can arrange to send the pieces to the factory, which periodically offers a refinishing service.

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Q My son-in-law gave me a knickknack made of wood and porcelain. It looks like a rectangular teakettle, but there’s an AM radio inside. On the lid are the words, “The Teakettle by Guild.” Can you tell me anything about the radio?

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A Your novelty AM radio was made by Guild Radio & Television Co. of Inglewood. It dates from the late 1950s, when Guild produced several novelty tabletop radios designed to look like real or miniature antiques. Among them were a spice cabinet, wall telephone, roll-top desk, lantern, dry sink, crank phonograph and teakettle. It’s worth about $125.

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Q I have a blue-and-white woven coverlet with a very elaborate border of houses and peacocks, and geometric center designs. It has a name woven into the corner, “Manufac’d by Jay A. Van Vleck, Gallipolis, O.” It has been handed down in the family to my grandmother. I would like to know how many generations back it might go.

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A The Jacquard loom was introduced in America in the 1820s. This loom made it possible to make coverlets with elaborate patterns and other designs, and even to weave in a signature. Jay Van Vleck worked in Ohio about 1850. He was probably a weaver who traveled from town to town, weaving coverlets to order from the owner’s wool. His corner signature was like an ad telling those who saw the coverlet where to get another.

For a listing of helpful books and publications, include a self-addressed, stamped (55 cents) envelope to Kovels, Los Angeles Times, King Features Syndicate, 235 E. 45th St., New York, NY 10017.

Current Prices

Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary because of local economic conditions.

* P-51 Mustang model gas airplane, by Wen-Mac plastic, circa 1950s, 26 inches, $40.

* Sinclair map of Pennsylvania, cartoon style, color, 1933, $50.

* Knickerbocker puppet, spaniel, sitting, felt nose, tongue out, jointed head, black-and-white, 1940s, 10 inches, $110.

* Pressed-glass finger bowl, Late Georgian pattern, blue, circa 1820, $260.

* Judith Leiber shoulder purse, gilt-metal hands clasping flowers, gold chain, 1972, $375.

* Bronze washed Egyptian Revival plaques, man and woman, marked “design copyrighted by Peerless Mfg. Co., 1889,” 22 by 20 inches, $495.

* Zippo lighter, diagonal lines at two corners, three-barrel hinge, brushed finish, 1933, $500.

* Mettlach stein, No. 3170, winter scene, people walking, snow falling, inlaid lid, half-liter, $945.