This item has a wooden frame around a darker carved wood, around a what seems to be gold painted frame and behind glass a picture of a cross and crown and intertwined a floral pattern. Also the words "Ohne Keine" on either side of the cross, and the word KRONE within the crown. Also through the cross seem to be the word KREUZ. its all outlined in a gold and there is also a shiny silver material used along with a shiny "ocean blue" material and also a faded dark blue. "No cross no crown" seems to be the translation

The hutch is in wonderful condition, but we know nothing about it.

The top of the hutch has 3 removable, not adjustable shelves enclosed with glass doors/windows. The top 2 shelves have a plate holder at the back of the shelf.

The bottom half of the hutch has cabinets and a drawer with a curved front.

The drawer runs the length of the hutch and slides beautifully.

The cabinets below the drawer offer 2 shelves enclosed in 2 doors. The detail is amazing, there is a faux key hold in the center of the drawer and a beautiful wooden feature that looks like a flower on both sides of the hutch (please see pictures).

Please could you identify the hallmark. It is on a statue of a horse with a rider. Looks Japanese. I am trying to identify the piece and it's history

This is an old italian violin with the label Dominicus Montagnana.  I know the real deal for these violins are few and far between so i am not expecting to be sitting on a small fortune (though that would be nice!).

I am mainly curious on the approximate value and date of the violin, as well as any other history that can be provided. 

This is what i know about my violin:

My father purchased this violin in 1993 from a woman in her mid 60s to early 70s currently living in Indiana.  She was a career violinist who grew up and played professionally in Chicago until she got arthritis in her 50s (i think possibly her 40s).  This ended her career.  She sold the violin to my dad for the same price her father had bought if for during the Great Depression.  (apprx. $2,000-$2,500).  She wasnt interested in the money aspect, she just wanted the violin to be played, not sold in an estate sale or rotting away in a closet.  She had been hanging on to it for sentimental reasons and had no children to pass it to (or none that played maybe?) 

So this would had made this a professional level violin and probably pretty expensive if it sold for that high during the Great Depression.  She was a career violinist in Chicago and she was from a family with enough money to afford the luxury of such a fine instrument during the great depression, so i'm assuming this violin has some value based just on that alone.

The History that was told to us when we purchased the violin:

The violin is Italian made and was imported from Italy during the Great Depression to Chicago.  She told us when she purchased it that it was made in the 1700s.  The year that she told us was on the certificate was 1735.  However, I am not sure if this is something that she knew or just believed to be true.  Perhaps she had learned this through a previous appraisal?  She did live most of her life in Chicago and her family did have the financial means to have an instrument appraised so this is possible.  However, I never saw any documentation personally and nowhere inside the violin do i see a clear date written, just the number 17.

Beyond that, it does have many features that common to old italian violins, similar varnish, the nails were used in attaching the back, the wood, the body style fits the time period (as far as i can tell- i actually have no idea really what i'm talking about other than just by looking at other pics of other old italian violins from this period)  I do believe that this violin is definately a beautiful instrument.  Possibly a lost gem.  Any information that anyone has on it would be greatly appreciated!!!

If any addition pics are needed or measurements, feel free to ask and i will get them posted.  i do not plan to sell this violin at this time, unless it is worth quite a bit.  If that is the case, i will consider selling it to repay the much owed debt to my father and mother for always supporting me and my music.

Antique, Urn looking coffee pot from United Metal Goods NY NY. Looks like it is sterling silver but hard to tell. It was my grandparent from years ago. It is electric with a small antigue spout on the side of it and a glass like perculator top. It is sterling silver? is it worth anything? Taking up room but don't know if it is valuable.

This is a scalloped edged or foliate edged deep plate. It has a dark cobalt blue or dark gray flower pattern. I think the flowers are peony blossoms with leaves in a scrolling pattern. The plate or dish is footed. 

There is a signature on the bottom of the plate which  I was told was possibly Kufic Arabic and that the name was something like Mehmet Salmusi. 

I have not been able to find anything else about this plate.