Hi Kevin, 
   
  I do wonder, if you rotated the piece 180 degrees, then it does resemble the cartouches placed on Japanese and Chinese products/artworks.  Therefore, although Allen was suggesting Chinese inside the mark, I think the mark itself maybe a Chinese/Japanese character.  Interestingly, many characters related to buildings (or places of work) include a rather boxy element like this.  I tried checking my dictionaries but couldn’t come up with anything in the quick review I did, other than to note that a character with this shape would be consistent with a “place.”  By any chance, did it come out of a railroad related context or nearby one?  
   
  Good luck, BTW, I only studied Chinese in college so I don’t claim any special expertise.  
   
  Eva Terrell
Business Manager, Principal
Two Pines Resource Group, LLC
17711 260th Street
Shafer, MN 55074
Phone 651-257-4766
Fax      651-257-4474


Kevin Gibbs <[log in to unmask]> wrote:  Hello,

I was wondering if anyone could identify the maker's mark (at least I 
think that's what it is) in the photo at 
http://www.ascgroup.net/images/housemark.jpg . It appears to be house 
with a chimney, but I could be interpreting it incorrectly. I've looked 
through Toulouse but cannot find it. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Kevin Gibbs