John Aynsley founded his pottery in Staffordshire, England, in 1775 and initially made earthenware. Like many pottery makers, his son and, later, his grandson joined the business; its name changed to John Aynsley & Sons in the 1860s. About that time, the company began making bone china.

The company has been a favorite of the British royal family from Queen Victoria onward. In 1970, Waterford bought the company and changed its name to Aynsley China Ltd. It has changed hands again since then, but still operates as Aynsley China.

An Aynsley teapot with a matching trivet sold at an auction by DuMouchelles for $39. Its classic yellow rose pattern with gilt highlights has black vertical stripes as a modern touch. Made in the mid-20th century, it’s a vintage piece for today’s collectors, but, considering Aynsley’s history, it’s one of the company’s more modern pieces.

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Q: Can you help me identify a Quick Meal stove? I found it at a sale, and even though I have restored a lot of old stoves with different purposes, I am not sure what this one is for. I think it might be a kerosene bread oven. Did Quick Meal make a stove like that?

A: Yes, the Quick Meal Stove Company made a stove with a kerosene oven. In 1881, tinsmith John Ringen, a German immigrant who lived in St. Louis, Missouri, and his business partners created two corporations: the Quick Meal Stove Company, which manufactured stoves, and the Ringen Stove Company, which sold them. Both companies grew rapidly, and, by 1901, they merged with several others to form the American Stove Company, although they continued using the Quick Meal brand name. In 1929, they introduced the gas-burning Magic Chef oven as part of their Quick Meal Magic Chef Stove. By then, many companies were making combination wood and gas ranges.

After introducing the Magic Chef, Quick Meal began phasing out its wood-burning stoves. The Magic Chef brand is still used today for kitchen appliances, including stoves, by CNA International Inc./MC Appliance Corporation.

For more information, you may want to contact a stove collectors’ club like the Antique Stove Association (antiquestoveassociation.org).

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Q: I have an oil painting with a group of baby animals in a grassland scene. It is signed, but I can’t read the signature. Is there a way I can still identify it? How can I tell if it is worth anything?

A: An art museum in your area may be able to help you identify your painting. Some large museums have events where they can authenticate artworks for the general public. They may be able to tell you information about the piece and the artist. A museum or library may also have access to art databases, online or in print, that you can use to research your painting.

You may also want to look into a local college or university with an art department; the faculty may be able to help you, or at least direct you to the right resources. Some art or auction galleries have public appraisal days as a form of publicity; you may be able to find out more information, including a value, there.

Even if you cannot identify the artist or date the painting, you may be able to estimate its value. If a painting is not very old or by a famous artist, it is likely to sell for a moderate price to a buyer looking for something to hang on a wall.

Animals are popular subjects, and baby animals are often sought for nurseries and children’s bedrooms. Size and shape will be a factor here, too; a buyer would not want a painting that is too tall or narrow. The fact that you know it is an oil painting is a good sign; if it is in good condition, it will be worth more than a print of the same subject matter.

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TIP: After washing a teapot, dry it as well as possible. Then, put a sugar cube in the teapot to absorb the remaining water.

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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.

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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.

Bookends, figural, gazelle, leaping, on scrolling base, bronze, diamond mark, art deco, 7 x 3 inches, $50.

Furniture, table, Heywood-Wakefield, birch, wheat blonde finish, rectangular top, lower shelf, splayed tapered legs, marked, mid-20th century, 21 x 28 inches, $190.

Basket, coiled, bowl shape, swirl pattern, brown blocks, twisted rim, Apache, 3 1/2 x 11 inches, $200.

Game, chess, wood, carved, figural pieces, hinged board, carvings in corners, carved trim around sides, two drawers, brass hardware, Chinese, board, 18 x 18 x 5 1/2 inches, $225.

Lamp, electric, dome shade, reverse painted, winter scene, snowy landscape, road to farmhouse, fences, trees, flared base, mixed metals, 25 inches, $285.