Estate auctions are often full of antique collectibles and heirloom items that have been passed down for generations. In some scenarios, you may find fine china available to bid on.
When you go to one of these auctions, how do you know how much to pay for china? And if you’re a seller, how can you gauge the value of your fine china? This blog will provide guidance on how to proceed when buying or selling fine china at an auction.
Fine china is used to describe fancy, high-quality place settings. Fine china can be anything from tea cups and saucers to dinner plates and decorative bowls. These aren’t your typical dishes used for a weeknight meal. Instead, fine china comes out of the cabinets and display cases for special occasions, such as holidays or a dinner party.
In general, china consists of several minerals and clays — feldspar, quartz, and kaolin — that are fired in a kiln at a high temperature. Kaolin, a smooth, white clay, was first discovered in China, which is where “fine china” gets its name from. These materials were prominent in the earlier days of china-making before bone china — made from animal bones — grew in popularity.
While similar, china shouldn’t be confused with porcelain. They may look the same, but they are produced in different ways. Porcelain is also made from kaolin, but it is fired at a much higher temperature than china — 2,650 F compared to 2,200 F. The higher temperatures make for a stronger, more sturdy finished product. Conversely, the lower temperature makes china softer than porcelain.
Made from kaolin, fine china originated over 1,500 years ago (620 A.D.) during the Tang dynasty. Ground clay was formed into a mold and then fired in a kiln. Earlier versions also included pegmatite, an igneous rock known for producing gemstones. As fine china made its way to Western cultures, Europeans began to use clay and ground glass, while Germans combined feldspar with kaolin. Today, some china contains silica, an oxide of silicone.
The Chinese influence made its way into these products with hand-painted designs to create an elegant feel. The rarity of fine china, coupled with its crafted look, made these pieces expensive.
Fine china is strong enough to last centuries, but it’s also brittle enough to chip or crack if it’s not handled with care. That’s why fine china should never be placed in the dishwasher. Gently wash china with soap and water before towel drying.
In the late 1700s, the English added bone ash to the production process to create a softer china that was lighter and more translucent. Nowadays, ground up cow bones are used to make bone china. Spode, an English pottery and ceramics company, first manufactured this type of china.
Why powered bones? When compared to porcelain, bone china is smoother, has a creamy look and gives off a warmer tone. It also provides more durability and isn’t as prone to chipping or breaking like typical fine china.
Bone china usually contains at least 25% bone ash and it can go as high as 45%. To produce it, bone ash is finely ground and mixed with kaolin, feldspar, and quartz before it’s made into a mold and fired in a kiln.
The word “value” is subjective, meaning the interpretation can vary by many. Value isn’t always the same as how much an item is worth. Regardless of how valuable you think an item is, it is only worth what a prospective buyer is willing to pay for it.
In general, the value of fine china depends on the brand, condition, location, and age. This may go without saying, but an older, antique piece of china will command a higher price than newer pieces.
The location or origin can also help determine its value. For example, Limoges china from the city of Limoges, France, is regarded as a high-priced item. The clay in this type of china specially comes from Limoges where it was discovered in the 18th century.
To start the valuation process, check for the hallmark, a logo that is usually on the bottom or back of the item. The hallmark may be a name, symbol, photo, or country of origin — for example, English china usually has a unicorn, a lion, or some type of royal symbol. Depending on the brand, the hallmark will be painted, printed, or stamped.
Finding out information about the hallmark will then allow you to identify other valuable features such as the type and its age. In the earlier days of pottery making, artists used different clays to make china. Using the internet is a great resource to locate this information. Here is an online resource to help identify porcelain marks.
You can also take your item or items to an antique collector to see what they think. Some manufacturers may also have similar items listed on their website if your item isn’t too old.
If you can’t find a hallmark on your china, chances are it was made before 1890. After 1890, the McKinley Tariff Act required imported goods to have an origin stamp.
While there are specific fine china and porcelain auctions, you can also find these items at estate auctions. Because of the quality and sense of nostalgia, fine china is commonly passed down from generation to generation and can stay in the family for centuries. Sometimes, these pieces appear at estate auctions after there is a death in a family.
If you’re looking for fine china to buy, search our auction schedule and mark your calendars for any upcoming estate auctions. You can then scour the auction catalog to see if any china is available. In the event you have fine china to sell at an auction, contact us today and we can help you consign it at one of our upcoming auctions!
