Q: I found this pretty dish when we were cleaning out my father's house. It has no lid. There is a pretty soft blue and green floral pattern on the outside and flowers on the inside. Some of the painted gold highlights on the handles and rim have worn off. It's nice to use the dish at the dinner table on special occasions. It's marked "Theodore Haviland, Limoges, France." Is he part of the well-known Haviland Company?

A: Several members of the Haviland family operated potteries in Limoges in the 1800s. David Haviland, an American, moved to Limoges in 1841 and opened a decorating shop in 1847. He and his sons established Haviland & Co. in 1864. Theodore Haviland opened his own factory in 1892. The factory was run by family members until 1972. It is still in existence. This mark was used from 1903 to about 1925.