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Question: Enclosed is a picture of a 10 ½-inch-high metal object. I assumed it was a vase because my grandmother used it to hold dried flower arrangements. When I inherited the piece, I discovered that most of its bottom is a large hole, so it cannot be a vase. "Mac" is inscribed on the object and "McClelland Barclay" appears in raised letters on a stand, now broken, that was under the piece. I would appreciate your comments about the item and about the signatures. - E.H., Brigantine

Answer: McClelland Barclay (1891-1943) was a sculptor, painter, illustrator and jewelry designer who enjoyed a successful art career before he died while serving as a U.S. Navy officer during World War II. Barclay was renowned for his advertising art, illustrated covers of popular magazines and art deco costume jewelry. His expensive, sculpted art-nouveau and arts-and-crafts bronze decorative items were so well-received that painted metal reproductions were made during the 1930s.

Your "vase" is the painted, bronze-green base of a 1930s table lamp manufactured by the McClelland Barclay Art Co. The "Mac" signature usually appears on items that were custom orders. A working McClelland Barclay lamp complete with its original decorated glass shade currently fetches $1,000 to $1,500, and your signed lamp base is valued at $235 to $300, based on condition.

Send questions to: Alyce Benham, Life section, The Press of Atlantic City, 11 Devins Lane, Pleasantville, NJ 08232. Letters may be used in future columns but cannot be answered individually, and photos cannot be returned.

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