Dealers -> Glass -> Plates
Collecting antique dishes can be a fun and rewarding hobby, but it’s probably not going to be an easy one! Because of the wide variety of dishes available from so many sources, you’ll probably have to brush up on your knowledge of dishes and dinnerware. You may have to do a little research into the collectibles in general, as well as specifically investigating an individual dish. It’s great fun for those who like to dig for information and uncover mysteries, and can be exciting when you get surprises, like realizing you’ve just purchased an ordinary-looking dish that’s a valuable collector’s item.
If you’re ready to start collecting antique dishes, you should first realize that just because a dish is 60 or 70 years old, it’s not necessarily any more valuable than it was when it was new. Much depends on how many of that exact dish was produced and how in demand it is now. Many people mistakenly think that old China is particularly valuable simply because it’s old, and that’s pretty far from the truth.
If it’s extremely old, China is almost certainly worth a little more than it was new (and might be worth much more). Some antique dishes with patterns that were discontinued quite soon after their release are worth a little more because they’re more rare. But antique China dishes are most valuable to those who have entire sets and want a piece to replace one that’s broken or lost. If you’re interested in antique China, though, it would pay to do some research into the kind of dishes you want.
The older the antique dishes are, regardless of what they’re made from, the more valuable they typically are, if they’re valuable at all. Antique porcelain dishes can be valuable, all depending on how popular they were when they were new. Antique handpainted dishes are inherently more desired and valuable than mass produced dishes, because even if the same pattern was used on many, the handpainting renders each one unique. And uniqueness is an important consideration when determining the value of a dish, or any item.
A problem with antique dishes is that often not even the seller will know how old a dish may be. This is where the detective work becomes necessary. You’ll need to find any marks on the bottom of the dish indicating the artist, the company, the serial number, the pattern name or anything that has the potential to help identify the dish. You can search online on all of these things, or ask a local antique dealer or appraiser if they have knowledge of it. For China specifically, don’t forget the many websites that specialize in replacements of pieces from discontinued patterns; they can be a wealth of information.
Finding the origin of antique dishes can be a challenge. If you can’t see the dish in person, ask about chips and cracks, and have the seller give you all of the information from the bottom so you can do your research!
Originally posted 2008-12-04 14:00:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Antique School Table Antiques -> Furniture -> Tables, Stands If you're looking for antique furniture like an antique school table or desk, one great place to find these items is estate auctions. While you can find antique furniture in online auctions like eBay, you need to be very savvy about the purchases you...... -
Antique Singer Sewing Machine Antiques -> Sewing -> Machines and Machine Parts If you love sewing collectibles and are trying to build up your collection, one of the best additions you can find is an antique Singer sewing machine. These machines can enhance any personal collection and may even be the focal point in...... -
Patchwork Quilts Antiques -> Textiles, Linens -> Quilts, Bedspreads ->Patchwork -> Patchwork quilts are an Americana staple, and these items are also highly collectible. While they are most commonly associated with the pioneer times and early formation of the United States, many cultures produce patchwork quilts and many of them are extremely...... -
Antique Mirrors Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Mirrors Antique mirrors are a highly collectible item, with many of the frames boasting decorative carving and detail much like elaborate, wooden picture frames of old. A mirror itself is little more than glass covering a reflective surface and not very impressive—many of us carry...... -
French Antiques Antiquess -> Antiquities -> Neolithic, Paleolithic Although the first thing that springs to mind in many people when the term French antiques is mentioned is Louis XVI furniture, there are numerous antiquities from this region that are incredibly valuable. France was the site of some of the first Paleolithic peoples......
Related Websites -
What you Need to Know about Coin Prices When people first enter into the world of coin collecting, they have many questions which need to be answered regarding coin prices. This is understandable since coin pricing is one of the main issues which coin collecting itself is centered around. Whether one is buying, selling, or just sitting on...... -
Benefiting from Golfing Lessons We all have to get started somewhere when it comes to playing golf. Even the greatest players started off needing coaching and lessons when they hit the fairways for the first time. If you are serious about learning golf, then there are a wide variety of different resources that you...... -
Antique Crucifixes Collectables -> Religions, Spirituality -> Christianity Antique crucifixes are an interesting collector hobby, with collections that can range from very rough, early wooden carvings that barely resemble a modern crucifix, to brass or ivory depictions done more recently. While some people collect rather ornate crosses in all materials, a crucifix...... -
What Affects Antique Coins Value Collecting is something that many different people enjoy doing. It is something that you will be able to enjoy no matter whether you are looking to get the most out of it as a hobby or you are looking to enjoy it as a way to make money. Of course,...... -
Vintage Sports Memorabilia If you are looking for a hobby or an endeavor that is exciting and profitable and you enjoy sports of any kind, then you may want to consider giving sports memorabilia collecting a chance. Maybe you have always had a serious interest in a sport team or a sporting event.......
