In 2026, the Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year, begins today. According to the Chinese zodiac, it is the Year of the Horse. Horses are important animals in Chinese culture and mythology, and they have appeared in decorative arts since prehistoric times. As in many cultures, there were stories of mythological horses, often with magical properties or features like wings; and horses belonging to or ridden by historical and legendary figures; but ordinary horses are worthy subjects, too. They are frequently depicted with riders, as in scenes that show battles, journeys, or everyday life, but they also appear in natural states.

This 12-inch-long carved jade horse figure, which sold at LEOnard Auction for $244, is lying down, with no saddle or bridle. China has a long history of jade animal carvings, dating back at least to the Shang dynasty, which began about 1600 B.C. These early carvings would have been made from the pale, calcium-rich variety of jade called nephrite, sometimes called “mutton fat” jade. Dark green jadeite (not to be confused with the mid-20th century opaque glass with the same name), like the carving shown here, was introduced to China in the 18th century. Jade horse figures are believed to be symbols of peace and prosperity, always welcome wishes for a new year.

Q: I would like to know about a piece of pottery I have that my father called an “Ugly Jug.” It is about 11 inches tall and has a lumpy surface and large, three-dimensional apples on branches. The apples are shaded red and yellow, the branches and leaves are shaded brown and green, and the rest of the jug is a dull brown. The markings on the base are very hard to see, but they seem to be a “17,” “W 95,” and “32.”

Family legend has said the jug was from the Knaus Saloon in New Brunswick, New Jersey, which was closed by Prohibition. Can you tell me anything about it?

A: Your “Ugly Jug” sounds like a style that was very popular in the art nouveau period of the late 19th to early 20th-century, so it could definitely have been displayed in a pre-Prohibition saloon. Art nouveau pottery with large three-dimensional fruits, flowers, animals, or other natural elements were popularized by companies in the Teplitz-Turn region of Bohemia (now the Czech Republic).

Kovels lists pottery by these companies as “Teplitz,” but collectors often call it “Amphora” after one of the most famous factories. Previously, similar styles had appeared in Victorian majolica pottery, but they usually have a distinctive, heavy, shiny glaze and were decorated in bright colors. The dull finish and naturalistic colors of your jug are more likely to be from the 20th century.

One Teplitz-Turn potter, Josef Strnact, was known for pieces with realistic-looking applied fruits like yours, but he usually used a distinctive raised mark in the shape of a shield with the initials “JS” inside. The marks you describe on your jug are probably mold numbers or production numbers. Teplitz-Turn pottery had many imitators, including some American companies, and their works were not always marked. Today, unmarked pottery in this style, and the size of your jug, can be worth anywhere from about $50 to $150. If you can identify a maker, it could be worth $250 or more.

Q: I have a rocking chair that belonged to my grandmother. It has a cane seat and back, a curved top, and scrolled arms. I would like to know if it is antique or not, and if it is worth anything. How can I find that out?

A: A general rule for estimating the age of furniture from your family’s history is to take your age and add 25 years for each previous generation. So, if the chair is your grandmother’s, a good guess for its age is your age plus 50 years (25 years for your parents’ generation, 25 years for your grandmother’s).

However, it’s important to remember that this gives you an approximation, not an exact date, and it is usually the earliest likely date for the item. You’re right that not everything that belonged to your grandmother is necessarily antique. Family history often makes household items, especially furniture, seem older than they are, and the legal definition of an “antique” includes an age of at least 100 years old. Your grandmother’s chair is probably from the 20th century.

Cane chairs, which had been made in Europe since the late 1600s and became popular, especially in America, in the Victorian era, experienced another surge in popularity in the early to mid-20th century. Designers (and consumers) appreciated the material’s lightness and considered cane seats more comfortable than solid wood and more hygienic than upholstery. Unfortunately, their popularity also means that many companies made them over many years, making it difficult to definitively identify and date them. Similar rocking chairs to your grandmother’s can be found at auctions and shops for under $100.

TIP: To test a piece of jade to see if it is real, use a small penknife. Rub the tip of the knife across the bottom of the piece until there is a mark. A white line means the knife scratched the stone, and it is not jade. A black line means the stone scratched the blade, and it is probably jade.

EDITOR’S NOTE: 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 close-up 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.