Antiques slideshow - Staffordshire porcelain and a Roman oil lamp

Item one: A Staffordshire porcelain tea service, sent in by Anthony Eddy. The present owner’s ancestor worked in the transfer printing department of Rockingham, and he his therefore wondering whether this set could have been made there. But it doesn’t bear any mark, so our expert is of the opinion that it isn’t (although Rockingham didn’t mark all its pieces, certainly the teapot would have been). Rather it is by one of the better Staffordshire factories such as Bourne or Machin. It was made circa 1820-1840 and has what is known as a London shape, and a wishbone handle. The moulded decoration is quite unusual and is printed and then over-painted quite competently. Services in general are quite difficult to sell, so despite its age – and charm – its value is relatively modest. Value: £100-£150. Photograph: Anthony Eddy

Item two: A chromolithograph print, sent in by Tony Craig. This still life of some fruit was printed in the late 19th century. It is similar in style to the work of Charles Thomas Bale (British, late 19th century), who specialised in still life subjects, especially fruit. This is probably a chromolithograph print (a method of colour printing which preceded colour photography, the aim of which was to simulate the appearance of an oil painting). If this is the case the value is likely to be mainly decorative. Value: £30-£50. Photograph: Tony Craig

Item three: A glass lemonade set, sent in by Stephanie Mills. This glass lemonade set was made in the 1920s. The glasses are hand painted and the tray is decorated with a print after John Sanderson Wells, (1872-1943). Such subjects were very popular during the 1920s and 1930s. Value £70-£100. Photograph: Stephanie Mills

Item four: A rug, sent in by Ian Cowmeadow. The design on this rug is based on tribal rugs from Persia or Turkey. This is machine made in the last quarter of the 20th century; if it were handmade you would be able to see the pattern as clear on the reverse as on the front. However, it is barely visible through the overall brown foundation threads. Value: £40-£60. Photograph: Ian Cowmeadow

Item five: A Roman bronze oil lamp, sent in by Rachel Johnston. This piece is in the style of Roman examples from the second century AD, but a great many were made between the 18th and 20th centuries for sale to tourists, and we suspect this may be the case with this piece. We would suggest taking it to a local museum with a Roman collection to confirm its date, and if it is an ancient piece it would be worth £300-500 at auction. But as a later copy this would be worth just £30-£50. Photograph: Rachel Johnston

Item six: An earthenware dinner service, sent in by Linda James. The Regal Pottery Co made earthenwares for the masses at their Cobridge factory in Staffordshire for a short period between 1925-1931, using the mark on your service. Services of this type were often given as wedding presents – often of much sentimental value, they were kept in display cabinets and only used on special occasions. Hence they have survived in huge quantities and, unless rare or unusual, are of very limited value as fashion has changed. Value: £25-35. Photograph: Linda James