Arthur J. Nash worked for the Thomas Webb & Sons art glass factory in his native England, but didn’t do his best, most innovative work until he came to America. His glassmaking expertise made him a perfect fit for the Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company, founded in 1892. Although Louis Comfort Tiffany achieved fame as a glass designer, he did not make his own glass. Nash established Tiffany Furnaces in Corona, New York, where he created the formula for the company’s famous Favrile iridescent glass.

Like many glassmakers, Nash’s work was a family affair; his sons followed in his footsteps. One of his sons, Leslie, is said to have been the only other person who knew the Favrile glass formula. Another son, Arthur Douglas, took over Tiffany Furnaces in 1919. After Tiffany Furnaces closed, he started the A. Douglas Nash Corporation. His wares included his own iridescent glass.

The flower-shaped vase shown here, which sold for $300 at Fontaine’s Auction Gallery, is one of his pieces. The gold color and molded texture are characteristics of A. Douglas Nash glass. Even if it resembles Tiffany glass or the iridescent glass made by many other companies at the time, it is definitely Nash’s work; it has his signature. His company closed in 1931, but Arthur Douglas continued making glass. The Libbey Glass Company hired him to create its luxury glassware lines.

Q: I am curious about an old children’s pedal bike shaped like the Road Runner from “Looney Tunes.” It has three wheels and is marked “Hedstrom Corp., Bedford PA.” What can you tell me about it, and what is it worth?

A: The Hedstrom Corp. was founded in Ashland, Ohio, in 1914 to make balloons. They expanded into plastic toys, making balls by 1923 and riding toys by 1936. Their Bedford, Pennsylvania, plant opened in 1966 and closed in 2004. It made blow-molded toys. Hedstrom is still operating today in Ashland as a division of Ball, Bounce & Sport, Inc., making children’s plastic and inflatable toys with licensed characters. There was a Hedstrom bicycle company in Massachusetts that was apparently not related. We have not found a specific date of manufacture for your Road Runner tricycle, but it is very rare and desirable to collectors of “Looney Tunes” toys. One sold online for $400 some years ago.

Q: My mother recently died, and my sister and I kept much of the stuff she had in a curio cabinet that she inherited from her mother. I’m 68 and I remember all of the items from when I was growing up, but I don’t know too much about them. My uncle served in WWII, and I think he may have brought some of these items back with him or mailed them to my grandmother. One item I am curious about is a white plate shaped like a flower with eight petals, and a gold ruffled edge. There is a gold design in the middle that looks like Japanese writing. The back reads, “Rosenthal Monbijou Bavaria.” Can you tell me anything about this plate?

A: Your plate was made by Rosenthal, a porcelain company started by Philipp Rosenthal in Selb, Bavaria, in 1891. Before long, the company had factories in several German cities. The Waterford Wedgwood Group acquired the company in 1997, and Rosenthal china is still made in Bavaria today. The Monbijou (from the French words for “my jewel”) line was made from about 1896 to 1907. It is characterized by a scalloped edge with ruffled trim, usually hand-painted in gold. Other than the gilt trim, many pieces were made blank and decorated by other porcelain companies. The design on your plate is probably a monogram in elaborate calligraphy. Do not confuse antique Monbijou china, like your plate, with the Monbijou pattern that the company makes today: simple white china with raised scrolls. For more information about Rosenthal, look for the book “Rosenthal: Service, Figural, Ornamental and Art Pieces” by Dieter Struss (Schiffer, 1997) at your library.

TIP: Don’t use ammonia to clean glass if it is decorated or iridescent. Wash it in warm water with mild dishwashing liquid or soap.

Kovels answers 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, 300 W. 57th Street, 41st Floor, New York, NY 10019, or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels.com.

CURRENT PRICES

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

Herend, vase, squat, slightly flared, multicolor painted flowers, faceted lower body, gilt trim, 4 x 4 inches, $40.

Doll, Mattel, Ken, Live Action, molded brown hair, mod outfit, brown fringed vest, multicolor shirt, satin pants, brown shoes, blue stage, c. 1970, $70.

Lunch box, Fireball XL5, rocket, man and woman in lower corner, futuristic background scene, yellow trim, tin, Thermos, red cup, Independent Television, 1964, $110.

Furniture, secretary, drop front, Biedermeier, fruitwood, gallery top, panel front, fitted interior, three graduated drawers, caster feet, c. 1840, 68 x 40 inches, $245.

Opalescent glass, pitcher, water, cranberry, seaweed pattern, globular, ruffled rim, clear handle, Hobb’s, 9 inches, $300.

Furniture, chair, Hepplewhite style, painted, white, shield back, urn shape center, carved swags, upholstered seat, spade feet, early 20th century, 38 inches, pair, $370.

Purse, Swarovski crystal, minaudiere, leopard print, rectangular, goldtone frame, push clasp, detachable chain strap, box, Judith Leiber, 5 x 7 1/2 inches, $455.

Box, bentwood, lid, oval, painted, hunting scene, light blue ground, multicolor flowers and leaves around sides, European, 8 1/2 x 20 x 12 1/2 inches, $775.

Cloisonne, wall vase, red dragons, blue clouds, waves around base, bronze, gilt mask ring handles, 6 inches, $935.

Weathervane, fish, bluefish, wood, carved, painted, carved gills and fins, round eye, folk art, 7 x 31 inches, $1,420.