Sometimes, people like to think of the past as a steady, stable time where tradition ruled the day. Ironically, learning about antiques can prove that notion wrong; and some of the best lessons can come from 19th-century furniture. Technological advances made complicated furniture designs more accessible, and the growing nouveau riche meant more customers in need of furniture, often with more extravagant tastes.

The Merklen Brothers of New York, active between the 1880s and 1900, were among the furniture makers taking advantage of new tools and catering to new tastes. The chair pictured here, with twisted posts, a lattice back and a pair of brass finials shaped like storks’ heads, is an example of their work. It sold for $409 at Forsythe’s Auctions LLC.

Unusual shapes, barley twists and figural brass fittings make Merklen Brothers furniture unique. An identification tip: Furniture feet in the form of a carved wood claw clutching a glass ball were popular at the time. Merklen Brothers, however, made their ball-and-claw feet with a wooden ball, as seen on this chair.

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Q: Do you have any suggestions for finding out more information about a wooden mannequin head that was recently donated to us? Google search was not helpful.

A: Most wooden mannequins we see date to the mid-to-late 19th century or early 20th century. As the 20th century progressed, most store mannequins were made of other materials, like plaster, composition and, later, fiberglass. 20th-century mannequins often have painted, sometimes molded, hair and can usually be dated by hair and makeup styles. Your mannequin head may have been part of a full-body mannequin, or it may have displayed hats or wigs. Today, many collectors consider antique country store displays a type of folk art, and mannequin heads like yours are no exception. Auction houses, collector’s clubs or museums that specialize in folk art, advertising, country store collectibles or fashion history may have more information about mannequins.

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Q: My father received a picture, possibly in the 1950s, that I am trying to identify. It looks like it is signed in pencil, but I can’t make out the signature.

A: Based on the signature, it sounds like your picture is a print. If it has any publisher or copyright information, that can help you with identification. Usually, the best way to identify a picture is to contact an art museum. Some large art museums have events where the public can have artworks authenticated and learn more about them. If there is a college or university with a fine arts department in your area, they may also be able to help. You can also check your library for access to online art databases or printed artist directories.

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CURRENT PRICES

Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.

Toy, horse, riding, metal, molded mane and tail, painted, white, red saddle, plastic reins, hanging footrest, wheels, Mobo, 30 1/2 x 28 inches, $50.

Leather, toiletry case, latch closure, top handle, glass bottles, retailer’s mark, Mitsukoshi Gofukuten, Tokyo, Japan, $65.

Royal Doulton, figure, cat, Lucky, sitting, black, white face, open mouth, marked, 2 1/2 inches, pair, $75.

Cloisonne, bowl, 1,000 Flowers, multicolor, gilt rim, carved wood stand, Chinese, early 1900s, 5 x 10 inches, $150.

Baccarat, vase, two paneled bands, cranberry cut to clear, flared, fluted, acid mark, France, 20th century, 7 inches, $180.

Furniture, secretary, Gothic Revival, mahogany, glass panel doors, slant front base, fitted interior, drawer over two doors, shaped bracket feet, mid-1800s, 92 x 44 1/2 inches, $375.

Silver plate, tea set, modernist, square, round finial, angled handle, straight spout, teapot, coffeepot, sugar and creamer, marked, Italy, D.F. Sanders & Co., 1980s, coffeepot 6 inches, four pieces, $460.

Stoneware, churn, cobalt blue feathers, applied arch handles, stenciled, capacity mark, salt glaze, slip glaze interior, wood dasher, Hamilton & Jones, Greensboro, Pennsylvania, base 17 inches, $810.

Furniture, table, Louis XVI style, kingwood, tooled leather top, three drawers, leafy scrolling ormolu mounts, caryatid mounted legs, sabot feet, France, 1800s, 31 1/2 x 69 1/2 inches, $1,535.

Photography, advertisement, Mr. Beard, Daguerreotype or Photographic Portraiter, color, posterboard, London, 12 x 9 1/2 inches, $1,950