Q&A on Collecting: Furniture design reveals history

Q: My mother purchased this sideboard eight years ago in an antiques shop. The store owner had no information on its origin. It has very unusual carving and hardware. There are two labels inside one of the drawers indicating where it was shipped from and to whom. Unfortunately there are no dates on either one. The top looks to be made of marble. We are hoping that you can shed some light on its history and value.

A: Your sideboard is an example of Eastlake period of furniture. It was made in the Victorian era in the years between 1870 and 1890. The shallow incised carving, turned spindles, burled panels, brass bail pulls, marble top and the overall rectilinear lines are representative of Eastlake design.

The value of your sideboard would probably be $1,000 to $1,500.

Q: Enclosed is the mark seen on the bottom of a small vase that belonged to my great-aunt about 70 years ago. The vase is aqua, stands 5 inches tall and is in perfect condition.

Does it have any value?