Q:My antique has been described to me as a black basalt box that probably is English. It has no marks. What can you tell me? -- E.G.M., Williamsburg

Answer: Experts say Josiah Wedgwood coined the term black basalt in 1786. It is finely grained, solid black, vitreous stoneware. Most Wedgwood black basalt pottery is marked.

Other Staffordshire potteries made similar wares, but many pieces are unmarked. Some of the early pottery, made of other types of clay, was stained to imitate black basalt.

The Egyptians made statues and other items from volcanic rock basalt, so Staffordshire potteries often referred to the pottery as Egyptian black. Wedgwood reproduced Egyptian and Greek forms in black.

This black basalt covered sugar bowl no doubt had a matching cream pitcher and teapot. Nicely detailed, it was made in Staffordshire around 1830. Assuming it's in good condition, it would retail for $300.

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Q:I own a cream pitcher that I would like information about. It has a red mark, a wreath with an "M" in the middle. Over the wreath it is marked "Noritake" and below "Hand painted" and "Made in Japan." -- J.T.

 

Answer: Your Noritake china cream pitcher with a luster glaze and colorful, traditional decoration was manufactured during the mid-1920s. Almost all imports after 1921 from Japan were marked "Made in Japan."

Nortitake is a place in Japan. The name was incorporated into the common wreath mark used by the Morimura Brothers, a Japanese export firm that eventually opened offices in New York.

Morimura began exporting in 1876. It eventually folded. One of its vendors was Nippon Toki Kabushiki Kaisha Ltd. This china company managed to survive. In 1980, it was renamed Noritake.

I saw some damage in one of the pictures. This cream pitcher would retail for less than $9; in mint condition, it would go for about $30.
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