Fischer J. Budapest

Q:A number of years ago my aunt gave be a beautiful ceramic vase. It has an allover pierced design that is painted and gilded. It’s marked “Fischer J., Budapest” on the lid and base. Can you tell me how old it is and if it’s valuable?

A:Ignace Fischer founded his company in Pest, Hungary, in 1864. (Pest is the eastern half of modern Budapest. It united with the western half (Buda and Obuda) to become one city in 1873. Hungarian surnames are listed first in company names, and the initials “J” and “I” are the same letter-which is why the mark on your vase is “Fischer J.” Fischer decorated china made by other manufacturers before starting to make pottery in 1867. Zsolnay bought the factory in 1895. Value of your vase, depending on condition, is $500-$700.