Our best tip about buying old china, crystal, and silver at the flea market is to buy what you like. But if you’re paying a pretty penny, you might like to know you’re getting the real thing. So here are some of our best shopping tips.
Choosing China
Tip #1: Flip It Over
Flip each plate over and check out the backstamp. It often has the manufacturer’s name, the pattern name, and even the date. If it says “Fine China” or “Bone China,” your piece is the real thing for sure. And until you feel like an expert, seeing it in writing takes out all the guesswork.
Tip #2: Hold It Up
If you like the look of super-white bone china, simply hold it up to the light. Bone china is translucent, so if it’s real bone china, you should see your hand through it. (Yes, it really is made with bones!) And even though it looks thin and delicate, it’s the strongest china you can get.
Tip #3: Check It Out
No matter which patterns you fall in love with, be sure to inspect each plate closely for hairline factures, cracks, or chips. You may find a piece of 1930s Noritake for a buck, but it’s not a bargain if it’s broken.
Bread & Butter: To get to know the pieces of a place setting, get out your measuring tape. For a formal table, each setting will need a dinner plate (9 ½ to 11 inches in diameter), a rimmed soup bowl (7 to 9 inches in diameter), and a bread and butter plate (5 to 7 inches in diameter). You may also want a salad plate (6 to 8 inches in diameter).
Great information. Thank you for sharing!
Can you tell me what is the difference and pattern number 223A and 223K in the Faberware South Hampton 1992 edition?
Hi Arelia, We don’t have any expertise in that, but Replacements does! https://www.replacements.com/china-farberware-southampton-white-body/c/27651
You can contact them here: https://www.replacements.com/contact-us
Cheers,
Jennifer & Kitty
Hello – i recently acquired a dish set that I know is old because each piece is wrapped in newspaper dated 1954. I don’t know what to do with it, as i won’t use it nor want to display it but would like to find out if it may have any value. Is this something you could possible assist me with or at the least direct me to someone/place that could help me with determining its value? I can send pictures if you’d like. Thank You, Julie K in New Ulm, MN
Hi Julie, We don’t do appraisals but you can find out information online by searching for comparable dishes on eBay or Replacements, LTD at http://www.replacements.com
Hope that helps!
Jennifer & Kitty
Hi I recently purchase a soup bowl Jackson & gosling stamp and an Aynsley stamp over the top of the Jackson & gosling an ideas as to how that happened
Wow that’s crazy. We aren’t experts when it comes to the brands, but you can find great information at Worthpoint about china: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/jackson-gosling-grosvenor-china-ye-220055062
Good luck!
Jennifer & Kitty