Joe Rosson: Valuable cabinet plate features art of Greek mythology

Q: This fan is mostly made from mother-of-pearl and lace. It was a wedding present to my aunt from her husband in 1910. The plate was hers, too. It is dated and marked on the back. Will you please provide information on these two pieces?

A: These are two items that I am sure have been prized over the past century or so, and the fan with its mother-of-pearl sticks covered with white lace is the epitome of turn-of-the-century femininity.

I can just imagine your aunt flirting with her beau using this lovely piece, which seems to have endured the years rather well. My only concern is the dark area I see at the top near the center is this truly discoloration, or is it just my imagination?

If it is discoloration, the fan needs to be shown to a textile conservator, who may be able to fix the problem - but it probably will not be cheap. I fear that the lace may be degraded - and if this is the case, care needs to be taken to preserve this family heirloom for future generations.

There is little question in my mind that this fan is Continental European - perhaps French, Belgian, or Italian. It is hard to tell for sure without seeing a tag that would list the country of origin.

If the condition of this fan is not seriously compromised by broken sticks or discolored fabric that cannot be brightened, the insurance replacement value is probably in the $250 to $300 range. More expensive fans tend to be older and decorated with rather elaborate hand painting.

The plate is very interesting. It is entitled "Hector's Abschied" or "Hector's Goodbye." In Greek mythology, Hector was the son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy, and brother of Paris. He was married to Andromache to whom I presume he is bidding farewell.

Hector was considered to be the greatest fighter Troy possessed, and when he is killed in battle by Achilles, the Greeks refused to return his body for burial, abusing it for 12 days until the gods intervened and allowed Hector's body to be buried. Hector was considered by Medieval Europeans to be one of the "Nine Worthies" of the ancient world who were known for their courage, nobility and courtly nature.

This is a so-called "cabinet plate," meaning that it was designed to be displayed in a cabinet and not used for any sort of food service (they were also sometimes hung on walls). The mark on the back is called by many a "beehive," but it is really part of the Austrian Coat of Arms and is more properly called a "Bindenschild."

This mark was used by the Vienna or "Royal Vienna" factory, which opened in 1718 and closed 1864. However, many other companies have used this mark over the years, and I do not believe this piece was made either in Vienna or by Royal Vienna.

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Joe Rosson: Valuable cabinet plate features art of Greek mythology