Antique Porcelain – What Should You Know?

• Posted on 18th September 2023
• in Antique Porcelain, antique porcelain buyers, Antique Prints, antiques, antiques buyers online
• by Alan

Antique Porcelain can carry with it a fascinating history and unexpected value. People often think to look at the markings on their silver or gold items as these markings help identify purity, manufacturer and age – however when it comes to porcelain, there seems to be more uncertainty among the general public. This tradition of branding on porcelain is no different.

Some of the most valuable porcelain comes from the 18th century into the early 20th century and is often associated with high society and even royalty. However, in the case of antique porcelain, identification and valuation can be slightly more complicated as condition, demand and history play very large roles.

Porcelain Markings:

Porcelain markings tend to be slightly more obscure than the more common gold or silver markings as they are often indicated by symbols and letters which, among other things, can tell you the country of origin and manufacturer of your item. This is important because, unlike precious metals, the weight value is not particularly of interest. Rather it is the beauty, history and craftsmanship that gives it it’s value. This is a great resource to help get you started.

Antique Porcelain dealers use this complicated system of markings to determine the origin and significance of your items in the same way they would for other antiques.

Factors that play a role in determining the value of your items are:

*Condition
*Country of Origin
*Historical Significance
*Demand
*Manufacturer

Just to name a few. The item itself (or demand for an item) plays a large role in how collectible or valuable an item may be. Some popular items are:

*Vases
*Dolls
*Figurines
*Lamps
*Plates

Provenance:

When looking where to sell antique porcelain you may often hear the term provenance thrown around. In all honesty, this isn’t something you should worry about too much. Especially from a seller’s prospective.

Provenance, simply stated, is an attempt to explain or authenticate the origin of your piece. A professional buyer will know how to determine this on their own. You may be asked about the origin of your piece as a curious starting point, and this is fine, but any professional buyer of antique porcelain worth their salt will want to do their own examine and research.

As you’ll notice from the link at the beginning, porcelain identification is incredibly complex. If you’re in the Florida area, I’m happy to take a look at your piece for you. Feel free to contact me via e-mail or by phone!