APPRAISER: You bought this in Europe?
GUEST: I did, in England. My sister had an antique shop in Cambridge. They sold mostly Georgian antiques, but occasionally had other things.
APPRAISER: How long ago did you buy this?
GUEST: Between 25 and 30 years ago.
APPRAISER: It's a beautiful piece of English Arts and Crafts-era ceramic, uh, decorated top to bottom, all the way around. This piece has so many different influences and ideas manifest in one object at one time. European Arts and Crafts Movement, Medieval Guild, Renaissance Revival. Even a little bit of Socialism is manifest in this piece.
GUEST: Hm!
APPRAISER: So there's a lot going on here. It's actually dated 1900. EMW, that would be the artist's signature. I've not been able to find out who that artist is, but this is the Della Robbia mark, so we know it's the Della Robbia Company from Cheshire, which was in operation from 1884 until 1901. At auction, I would evaluate the piece between $3,500 and $4,500.
GUEST: Goodness.
