Sometimes, all we know about an artist from the past comes from their artwork. This is especially true of folk and outsider artists; collectors are often lucky to know their names. Fortunately, artist Louis E. Thompson signed and dated his works, like the mixed media wall sculpture shown here, made in 1932, that sold for $343 at Alex Cooper Auctioneers.

Several other pieces by Thompson sold at the same auction, providing an overview of his art style. They included similar relief wall sculptures painted gold, multicolor mixed media figures painted in patterns, and scenic pictures on board in painted frames decorated with small figures.

Thompson lived from 1894 to 1963, spent his life in Maryland, and worked as a teacher. Other than that, his life is largely a mystery. His art fits into folk art traditions; for example, it is typically mixed media, indicating that he used whatever materials were available. Painted pieces usually have flat areas of color without shading. Some of his works have Christian imagery, like figures of saints or pictures of churches. References to American history are another frequent subject. Thompson depicted scenes of historical sites or events and created images based on Native American art.

Gold-painted eagles, like the carved and gilded finials seen on fine Federal furniture, appear on frames and wall sculptures. According to a note on the back of this wall sculpture, the china fragments incorporated into it are from Mount Vernon, George Washington’s plantation. Archaeological excavations there began in the 1930s, about the time Thompson made the sculpture.

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Q: I have a carnival glass berry service with a large bowl and six serving cups. The set is amber, and the large bowl has berries around the top and a tiger in the center bottom. The serving cups have berries and no tiger. They have no chips or imperfections. The set was my great-grandmother’s, which would make it approximately 100 years old or more. Could you give me any information and approximate value? I would be interested in selling it.

A: Your berry set is in the Panther pattern by Fenton, although most collectors agree that the animal looks more like a tiger. The amber color, often called marigold, is a common color for this pattern.

Berry services in this color and pattern generally sell for about $75. To get the most attention, and the best price, you may want to contact an auction house that specializes in carnival glass. There are also collectors’ clubs for carnival glass, like the American Carnival Glass Association, Inc. (myacga.com) or the International Carnival Glass Association (internationalcarnivalglass.com) and Fenton glass, like the National Fenton Glass Society Inc. (nfgs.org) that may have more information or help connect you with prospective buyers. Another option is to sell your set to a pattern-matching service, which may get you a better price than an auction.

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Q: Could you please tell me about my pressed back chairs and their value? I purchased two about 40 years ago at an auction sale, but did not refinish them because I didn’t want to hurt the design.

A: Pressed back chairs were first made about 1890. Designs were pressed into the wood with a metal die, hence the name. Oak was the usual wood, and the chairs were usually made with the simple lines and light finishes of the Golden Oak period (1880-1920). They were mass-produced and inexpensive, selling through sources like the Sears, Roebuck and Company catalog or used as advertising premiums. They are still inexpensive today.

Pairs of pressed back chairs usually sell for about $50, sometimes less. Unusual features, like a leather or cane seat or a pressed design that advertises a product, increase the value. You are right to avoid damaging the design. Refinishing usually lowers the value of antique furniture. However, because your chairs are fairly recent, probably dating to about 1900, you may want to refinish the parts without decoration, like the seat or legs, if you intend to use them.

A tip to verify the ages of your chairs: Check the seat. Pressed back chairs made about 1900 have seats made of three or four boards. Later reproductions used more boards, usually about seven.

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TIP: Don’t display colorful items in direct sunlight, especially paintings and prints. Sunlight dries out wood and other materials and emits ultraviolet rays that discolor them.

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Kovels answers readers’ questions sent to the column. Send a letter with one question describing the size, material (glass, pottery) and what you know about the item. Include only two pictures, the object and a closeup of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, (Name of this newspaper), King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels.com.