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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Q: I have an antique piece made by Union Porcelain Works, New York. It is shaped like a cylinder with a large opening on the side, near the base. I know the history in the dates behind this piece. However, what exactly is this called? Also, is there an approximate value on this item? When I look it up it says it cannot be identified.

A: Your porcelain piece sounds like part of a parlor stove. A complete stove would be on a stand and have a cap on top. Cylindrical parlor stoves were popular in the Victorian era. Most known examples are cast iron, but some were made in porcelain, faience and other ceramics. Ceramic stoves appear to have been more popular in Europe, but some were made and used in America.

We have not found any other examples of stoves made by Union Porcelain Works, although we know they made fireplace tiles. They are known for many kinds of porcelain items, both utilitarian and decorative, from ornate pitchers to simple water coolers, hotel door markers and match strikers. Their famous pitchers and vases with elaborate relief decorations can sell for thousands of dollars. Simpler utilitarian pieces like tiles or water cisterns tend to sell for about $100 to $300. A stove collectors’ club like the Antique Stove Association (antiquestoveassociation.org) or a dealer that specializes in stoves may have more information and may be able to help you determine a value.

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TIP: Lick a cotton swab and use it to remove dirt from small carvings on furniture. Saliva has enzymes that help dissolve the dirt.