Q. Two of the pieces of my dining room set, the table and the china cabinet, which I bought at a garage sale many years ago are marked with the words "Haywood-Wakefield"  stamped over the profile of an eagle. I have been told the company was a mass producer of utilitarian furniture and was like Thomasville or Sears today. Where can I find more information about this company?

A. I think you mean "Heywood-Wakefield". H-W was a long way from being just another mass producer of utilitarian furniture. The company's long history began back in the mid 1800's. Over the years it produced some of the best factory made furniture ever manufactured. The company was always an innovator, being the prime mover for wicker furniture in America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In the early years it was called "rattan", not wicker. It introduced its modern lines in the 1920's and stuck with the concept through to the mid 1960's. That is its most famous product today and good examples are highly collectible. The eagle figure incorporating the "H" and "W" in its body was adopted in 1946 so you know your set is post War.

The definitive work on the subject is "Heywood-Wakefield Modern Furniture Identification and Value Guide" by Steve Rouland and Roger Rouland, 1995 published by Collector Books of Paducah, KY. 

Q. I just bought a brand new, high quality traditional cherry sideboard. It is excellent in every detail except one. The brass hardware has been pre-darkened to give the appearance of age but I want it all to be much brighter. I know that hardware is usually sealed so I have carefully removed all the handles and tried to clean the lacquer off with lacquer thinner but haven't gotten anywhere yet. Is it possible there isn't a clear coat on it? I have tried to clean it with brass polish as it is but that didn't work either. Help!

A. If you are sure the hardware is indeed brass and not some new alloy, then it most likely has a clear coat on it to maintain the look the factory designer wanted. You probably have encountered one of the new synthetic finishes that is not affected by lacquer thinner. These might include polyester, conversion varnish or one of the even newer water borne finishes. These all present a challenge in their removal. First try some the basic methylene chloride semi-paste stripper and use a poly pad to encourage it. Give it lots of time to work. If that doesn't do the job you may have to buy some plain old lye but I wouldn't recommend it. If it comes to that just either accept the handles as they are or buy new ones from a good supply house. It will be expensive but probably cheaper than the cost of treatment for lye burns. Remember - when using any stripping agent, follow standard safety procedures like gloves, eye protection, heavy apron, good ventilation and common sense 

Q. Hello Fred - Enclosed are pictures of a Victorian floor lamp found at a rummage sale many years ago. I hope this qualifies as a piece of furniture for your column. It is fortunate that a paper label is still attached to the bottom indicating that the lamp is carved from solid mahogany and made by a Chicago, IL company. The name of the company is missing the first letter because of a missing portion of the label. The remaining letters are OPRIWA.

The lamp stands 70 inches tall and weighs a hefty 18.5 pounds. The finish is all original and maintains a great patina. There are no scratches and no damage. The lower base is glued up in four pieces and the rest is turned from a single piece of wood. The shade is of the period but not original to the lamp. It has been a challenge to find information on this piece. I hope you will undertake the challenge so that I can better understand what I have and an approximate value. Thanks much, Don T., Midland, MI

A. I was able to solve part of the mystery. The missing letters are "E. K" which makes the company the "E. Kopriwa Co." of Chicago. Emanual Kopriwa was a woodcarver who opened his shop in Chicago in 1887, working in mostly mahogany furniture and fixtures. His son, also named Emanuel, took over the business and continued it into the 1930s.

Similar examples from around the turn of the 20th century with period glass or tassel shades and which have been rewired sell in the $500 range. More elaborate examples with carved figures and animals reach into the thousands. The correct rewiring of old lighting fixtures should be of primary concern if they are going to be used with modern electrical systems. Never plug in an old lighting fixture (or any old appliance or radio for that matter) until the wiring has been inspected or replaced by someone with adequate knowledge of the subject.

Send your comments, questions and pictures to me at PO Box 215, Crystal River, FL 34423 or fmtaylor@aol.com