KNOW YOUR ANTIQUES : FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION IN FURNITURE DESIGN.

Byline: Ralph & Terry Kovel

Furniture forms change as needs change. In the late 18th century, many new forms appeared.

Twin beds were first made for summer homes. It was more comfortable to sleep alone in the hot weather.

The tilt-top tea table was made because it was customary to keep the furniture near the wall, to leave space in the center of the room. The tables and chairs were pulled to the room's center only when tea was being served.

The window bench was backless and gave added seating by fitting into the narrow space in a bay window. Early benches had four legs in front and two in back.

Today most benches have the traditionally placed four legs. The sides usually are curved to form an arm rest and to add grace to the design.

Window benches are being sold as furniture to be used at the end of a bed, a place to put a folded comforter.

Q: Why is it called ``costume jewelry''?

A: It is said that the name came from a rehearsal of the Ziegfeld Follies. Flo Ziegfeld used jewelry designed by William Hobe, who made realistic jewelry for use in the movies.

At one dress rehearsal the costumes were ready but the jewelry was missing. ``Where is the jewelry for my costumes?'' Ziegfeld asked, and the term soon became ``costume jewelry.''

Q: My aluminum kerosene lamp is marked ``Aladdin B-139.'' Is it old?

A: The B-139 models of aluminum Aladdin kerosene lamps were made between 1963 and '69. They sell for $25 to $40. Old, rare Aladdin lamps are worth much more.

Q: The mark on some pieces of my mulberry-colored transfer ware is a basket of flowers with the words ``Enoch Woods, English Scenery, Woods Ware, Wood & Sons, England.'' On the sides of the basket it says, ``Enoch 1784, Ralph 1750.'' Other pieces, in the same pattern, are marked with a man holding a sign that says ``Woods Burslem England.'' Do you know how old it is?

A: The basket mark you describe was used by Wood & Sons from 1917. The company did start as Enoch Wood in 1784, and went through several name and mark changes through the years. The mark with the man holding the sign was used starting in 1931.

The company is still in business.

Q: I inherited my mother's collection of Godey prints. What can you tell me about them?

A: Godey prints were the color fashion plates published in Godey's Lady's Book. The book was actually a magazine that was published from 1830 through 1898. It merged in 1863 with Ladies Magazine, which was published by Sarah Josepha Hale.

Hale, a remarkable woman who began her magazine when she was 40, continued as editor of Godey's until she was 90. Hale was responsible for having Thanksgiving declared a national holiday, and she was a leader in the fight for women's rights.

She was responsible for the fashion illustrations in the magazine. It was popular for women to remove the fashion plates and frame and hang them.

Many reprints of the plates were issued over the years, and a collection of the plates was published in ``The Lady of Godey's, Sarah Josepha Hale,'' a book by Ruth E. Finley published in 1931.

Q: My neighbor gave me some old canning jars when she moved. Most of them are Mason jars, but one of them is marked ``Hero.'' It has a cross below the mark. Is it valuable?

A: Mason jars have become valuable to fruit jar collectors. The Hero jar was made by Mason.

The Hero Cross jar with a wide-mouth glass lid was patented Feb. 27, 1894, and again on Jan. 29, 1895. Aqua versions sell for $35 to $50. Clear jars sell for $40 to $60. Narrow-mouth Hero Cross jars in aqua sell for $25 to $35.

Current prices: Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.

Dagwood jigsaw puzzle, ``Dagwood's in Trouble,'' with Blondie and Mr. Dithers, 100 pieces, Jaymar, 1959, 8 inches by 10 inches: $30.

``Treasury of Great Recipes'' by Mary and Vincent Price, 1974: $50.

Figural whiskey bottle, revolver shape, amber glass, embossed ``Standard. Perf. Works, Patented Nov. 6, 1888,'' 10 inches: $95.

Cathy Coed, cast-iron bottle opener, girl holding books, 6 inches: $125.

U.S. Keds store display, freckled boy fishing from split-rail fence, cardboard, 1940s, 3 feet: $165.

Ronald Reagan statue, plaster, ax in one hand, jellybeans in other, Esco, 1981, 18 inches: $225.

Moorcroft vase, poppy design, dark blue background, circa 1925, England, 5 inches: $525.

Pennsylvania presentation quilt, wool, velvet, 229 random patches, birds, dog, florals, church, cross, fruit and people, cranberry, blues, tan and brown, 76 inches by 76 inches: $750.

Doll, Norah Wellings, woman in costume, swivel head, floss hair, felt, 1930, 15 inches: $1,500.

Vanity table, Gilbert Rohde, white, red ash, chrome base, Herman Miller, circa 1934: $2,350.

MEMO: The Kovels' antiques column appears on Saturdays.

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Photo

Photo: William IV was king of England when this upholstered window bench was made. The rosewood bench sold last year for $9,200.