Keeping the past alive is part of the appeal of antiques. The most valuable, most desirable collectibles are original antiques, but reproductions can have their own interesting stories.

This figural vase by Henriot Quimper sold for $42 at Richard Opfer Auctioneering, a low price compared to antique Quimper pottery. This style of pottery has been made in Quimper, France, since the late 1600s, but this vase is a 20th-century reproduction made to sell at Colonial Williamsburg as a souvenir. The date of 1682 on its base is one of the details copied from the original piece of pottery in Colonial Williamsburg’s museum collection. It is called “Mr. Nobody” after a character from a popular play at the time.

The original piece was Delftware, a popular tin-glazed pottery usually decorated in blue and white. Quimper pottery has a similar tin glaze, and the potteries that originally made it in the 17th and 18th centuries have since merged into factories that are still operating today.

Q: I would like to know something about my lamp. The shade and base are both made of glass panels with a white swirl. It has a light at the bottom.

A: Lamps like yours were made by many glass and metalworking companies in the early 20th century. The electric light bulb was a fairly new invention, giving designers more possibilities. Lamps no longer needed features like fuel tanks or chimneys. While oil lamps were made to amplify the light as much as possible, bright electric lights now needed to be softened. Translucent or opaque glass panels were popular choices for lampshades. Bases were decorative and made from metal, glass or ceramic. Some lamps had an additional light in the base, like yours. Lamps in this style usually sell for about $500 if they have a known maker, or about $200-$300 if not.

Q: I was going through our old pictures and found some old Japanese money from WWII that my father brought back. I would like to find out how much they are worth and where I could sell them.

A: Old currency can be worth more as collectors’ items than exchanged for new money. It takes an expert to evaluate old bills and coins. Look for a reputable coin dealer or other currency expert in your area. Numismatic News (www.numismaticnews.net), a publication owned by the same parent company as Kovels Antique Trader, has specialized information about collecting and valuing currency. The American Numismatic Association (money.org) can help you find resources.

Q: I have a kitchen table set that belonged to my mom. It is from the 1940s-1950s. The legs and frame are maple, as are the chairs. The top of the table, however, is metal which matches the maple in color and is expandable to make the table longer. She also has a matching maple hutch. Just wondering if this is worth pursuing.

A: The kitchen table of the mid-20th century served many purposes. It was used as a dining table, a food preparation area, a gathering place for family and friends, a worktable and much more. Tabletops made from materials like metal or laminate, which were easier to clean than wood and more resistant to damage, became popular. People always like the look of wood, so finishes resembling wood were available. This kind of kitchen furniture was utilitarian and inexpensive. Furniture from the mid-20th century usually sells for low prices if it is not made by a major designer. Tables like your mom’s sell for up to $150. Similar kitchen hutches sell for about $300. The entire set would sell for about $600.

Q: We have a Satsuma tea set produced for Heritage Mint. It is a peacock pattern. It was purchased around 1980. About 20 years later at a rummage sale, we found a 10-inch plate with the exact same pattern, but with only Japanese markings on the back. What can you tell me about it?

A: The marks on the back of your plate are the Japanese kanji characters for “Satsuma.” They are often used on Satsuma-style porcelain even if it was not made in Japan. When collectors talk about Satsuma, they usually mean a type of Japanese porcelain with a creamy crackled glaze and elaborate colorful designs of flowers, birds or figures. It was originally made in the Satsuma province of Japan in the 19th century and exported to Europe. Since then, it has been made in many other regions. Heritage Mint named its peacock pattern after this style of porcelain.

TIP: Don’t put pottery or porcelain with crazed glaze in the dishwasher. It will crack even more.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer readers’ questions sent to the column. Send a letter with one question describing the size, material (glass, pottery) and what you know about the item. Include only two pictures, the object and a closeup of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, (Name of this newspaper), King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels.com.