Q. While traveling in Belgium, I purchased this painting and frame from an antiques shop. It is signed “D. Mergaert” and dated circa 1874. The artist might be Désiré Mergaert, who traveled to Germany and Italy, was often in France, but settled in Brugge (Belgium) in 1869. Are you familiar with the artist, other than the fact that he was a pupil of the Academy of Arts in Roulers, then at Antwerp? He painted historical and religious subjects and made a lot of copies after Italian Masters.  by T.E., Leominster, Mass.

A. “This does appear to be the work of Désiré Mergaert (1829–90), a portrait artist who traveled extensively in Europe,” says Judith Ellington, owner of Ellington Appraisal Services in St. Simons, Georgia. “He was a member of the painting Academy of Roulers and the Academy of Antwerp, and was listed in a number of European dictionaries of artists, including France’s Bénézit in 1966. This is a minor artist, however, and only two works have come to auction in recent years. Both were male portraits, with one fetching $2,200 and the other less.” Ellington also notes that female sitters historically command better prices, so the estimated value of this work in good condition would be somewhat higher than the value of works featuring male subjects.

Q. Who designed or manufactured this pewter and ebony on oak chair? I inherited six of them.  by J.M., Portland, Ore.

A. “Your set of six chairs is probably English, of the Arts and Crafts period, and dates to the end of the 19th century or the beginning of the 20th century,” says Millicent Creech, of M. Ford Creech Antiques in Memphis. “The Arts and Crafts movement, begun in 1860 as a reaction to the industrial mass production celebrated at the 1851 London Grey Exhibition at the Crystal Palace, originated in England. Several crafts guilds were established in England [Art Worlds Guild, 1884; Guild of Handicraft, 1888; and Arts & Crafts Exhibition Society, 1906]. Many of the pioneers of the movement were English, including William Morris, William de Morgan, Charles Robert Ashbee and Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Without a monogram or signature, it is difficult to identify the exact maker. Unidentified, the set would retail for between $3,000 and $4,000.” Creech adds that an exact attribution to a maker would increase the value of this set.

Q. This Nantucket basket was given to me by a friend. The leather pieces on the lid have deteriorated, so the lid is not attached. It is about 5 1/2” tall and 9 3/4” wide. The whale on the top has the initials of the carver. Her last name was Macy and she was a descent of Mary Macy and David Maulsby. It is in excellent shape, except for the leather. What is its history?  by C.K., Wendell, Idaho

A. “I wish we had a few more images of your basket,” says Lynda Cain of Freeman’s Auctions in Philadelphia. “Made in the manner of the traditional Nantucket Lightship basket, the first Nantucket pocketbook-basket is thought to have been made by José Reyes about 1948. It has been a status symbol on the island ever since and expensive. There is some range of quality and a maker’s name is important. Recent auction prices for Nantucket pocketbooks without a known maker and average quality have ranged from $250 to $900. I would think yours to be valued about $300 to $400.   The leather can be repaired.”