Get a clue to the age of an antique from part of the style, like a ball and claw foot on a Chippendale chair of the 18th century, or a hammered aluminum bowl of the 1930s. But sometimes the style is unfamiliar and even the use is a mystery.

The most daring designers of the 1920s era were making Art Deco pieces with geometric designs, symmetry and a streamlined look. But some artists created their own styles and even used unique pieces of metal or other unusual materials.

Oscar Bach (1884-1957) was born in Germany and studied painting and metallic arts. He became artistic director of a firm winning awards for his designs. He used the signs of the zodiac, mythological figures, grapevines, masks, grotesque figures and other designs from the past. Jewels adorned some special-order boxes and book covers.

In 1911, he moved to the United States to join his brother. They formed the Oscar B. Bach Studios and marked almost all of their work with that name. Most of his metal work was made to order.

After Bach had an unfriendly split with a partner, not his brother, he was upset to learn the ex-partner continued to use his designs, selling the metal work with no name or a new name. This has caused confusion for today’s collectors. But the quality and originality of Bach’s work can be identified by experts.

A strange iron table and chair “in the manner of Bach” sold at Cowan’s Auctions in Cincinnati in the winter of 2015. It has a marble top on an iron cabinet with enamel painted doors and extra tall, thin legs. The front is decorated with brass panels of nudes and a clue to its use. Each figure is holding a telephone receiver. The matching chair with dragons and a spire on the back also is of twisted iron and brass.

Another clue, the telephone stand or table is a furniture form that was in use from about the 1915 to the 1960s. The piece is not marked, so it sold for only $450, much less than an authenticated work by Bach. Even if the new owner does not need furniture to hold a phone and note pad for a seated person taking a call, the Bach-like stand and chair will be a conversation piece.

Q: I’m looking for information about an old icebox with the name plate “Ice-Way Approved Refrigerator with corkboard insulation, built especially for the ice industry.” When was it made and what might it be worth?

A: Ice-Way refrigerators were sold under the brand name “Leonard” and were made by the Grand Rapids Refrigerator Company. The company was founded by Charles H. Leonard in 1881 as the Leonard Refrigerator Company. At first it made wooden icebox cabinets. Electric refrigerators were made in 1918. Leonard Ice-Way refrigerators were made in several styles and sizes. They were clad in porcelain, metal, or wood and lined with enamel or porcelain. Ice-Way refrigerators were sold by furniture stores, hardware dealers, and ice supply companies. Ads for the Ice-Way refrigerator can be found in newspapers in 1929 and 1930. Old wooden iceboxes are collected today to be used for storage. They sell for about $100 to $200. The metal iceboxes are not as expensive.

Q: I have a heart-shaped dish our family tradition claims was used for very special ice cream sundaes at a soda fountain about 1930. It had special meaning for my grandparents who kept it displayed on a shelf in the living room. I wonder if you know anything about its special use. Was it for special occasions? Was the dish given away or sold?

A: The heart-shaped ice cream dish was used with a heart-shaped ice cream dipper made in 1925. The scoop of ice cream fit perfectly into the dish. Then the “soda jerk” (yes, that was what he was called) finished off a special sundae with a flavored sauce, chocolate, marshmallow, fruit or a combination. The sundae might even have been topped with whipped cream, sprinkles or nuts. Your grandparents probably shared a sundae on a meaningful day, perhaps the day Grandfather proposed. The original heart-shaped dishes had a grapevine or a hearts-and-flowers design pressed into the glass. The signature of the inventor of the dipper, John Manos, was also part of the design. New heart-shaped glass dishes sell for just a few dollars today. The 1925 dishes sold wholesale in a set of 24 dishes and a dipper for $8.28. In recent years, a single dish has auctioned for about $1,000.