Checking out an Art Deco-style incense burner made in France

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Dear Helaine and Joe:This incense burner is marked "Vauliue, Made in France, No. 1227." It is made of metal that is painted black and silver. It is 8-1/4 inches tall with a base that is 3 inches square. The orb or ball the figure is holding comes off and incense is placed inside to be burned. The fragrant smoke comes out of small star-shaped holes in the orb. How old is it and what is its value?Thank you,M.S., Palm Desert, Calif.Dear M.S.:Many of us love clowns and their antics -- others find them frightening. This figure is a representation of a clown (of sorts) that was derived from a character in the Italian Commedia Dell'Arte - or "the comedy of artists."The Commedia Dell'Arte originated in the 16th century and was popular through the 18th century, but it is still performed to this day. It was improvisational theater and often had themes of adultery, jealousy, old age or love, and it sometimes satirized local scandals or events.Some of the plot elements can be traced back to the ancient Roman plays of Terrance and Plautus. There are 10 characters -- eight men and two women -- and one of the main players is called Arlecchino -- in English, "Harlequin" -- who is an acrobatic and mischievous clown. Harlequin is a servant as is another character, Pedrolino, who is known in English as "Pierotte."Pierrot is also called "Pedro" on occasion and he was a loyal servant -- charming and likable. He is always depicted wearing a loose white outfit with a neck ruff, and he appears in whiteface and never wears a mask. Pierrot is the youngest actor in the company and is deadpan and downtrodden. Sometimes this character is female and is known as "Pirouette."Pierrot is a sad clown who pines for the love of Columbine, who breaks his heart and leaves him for Arlecchino. Pierrot is naive and falls for prank after prank, but he is ever trusting and almost oblivious to reality.This figure of Pierrot, holding a ball-shaped incense burner, is typical of the 1920s when the figures of Harlequin, Pierrot and Pirouette enjoyed renewed popularity. It is in the Art Deco style, and like the Commedia Dell'Arte character, this figure combines romance and humor. Such a piece with all its symbolism would have been appropriate for use to perfume the air for an early-20th-century romantic encounter.The piece in today's question was made in France by a metal-casting company for export to the United States or elsewhere. Unfortunately, the company that made it is unlisted and, therefore, unknown. Perhaps the name on the base was misread by M.S., and that is a very easy thing to do.The value of this piece depends very much on the type of metal from which it was made. We suggest that M.S. take a magnet to the metal. If it sticks, the metal is iron; but if it does not, the metal is either white metal (also known as "pot metal") or bronze. White metal will also be relatively lightweight while bronze and iron will be heavier.If the piece turns out to be white metal (which is most likely, we believe), the insurance-replacement value will be between $300 and $400. If it is iron, the value rises to $500 to $600, and if bronze, $1,000 to $1,200.(Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson are the authors of "Price It Yourself" (HarperResource, $19.95). Contact them at Treasures in Your Attic, PO Box 27540, Knoxville, TN 37927. E-mail them at treasures(at)knology.net.)