Many homes feature a cabinet displaying cherished china or glassware, often inherited or collected over time. Understanding which old dishes are worth money can guide your decisions on what to showcase, what to keep for sentimental reasons, and what might be valuable to sell or gift.
Knowing the value of your antique dishes, whether they are delicate glassware or fine china, is crucial for insurance purposes and potential resale. Furthermore, having a general price range in mind is beneficial when you are looking to expand your collection.
Antique dishes on table
Discovering Rare and Valuable Antique Dishes
While the majority of antique and vintage dishes are valued under $100, a select few can command astonishing prices. These exceptional pieces are the treasures collectors dream of finding. Let’s explore some of these extraordinary dishes and understand what elevates their worth to such remarkable levels.
| Antique Dish | Value |
|---|---|
| Wucai fish jar and cover | $27 million |
| Qing Dynasty Falangcai bowl | $25 million |
| Blue and white dragon jar | $20 million |
| Ruby red Falangcai double lotus bowl | $11 million |
| Falangcai prunus and bamboo bowl | $11 million |
The Legendary Wucai Fish Jar and Cover: Approximately $27 Million
One of the most expensive dishes ever to grace the auction block is a rare Wucai jar and cover. Wucai is a distinctive type of porcelain characterized by its vibrant blue underglaze and overglaze enamel decorations. This particular piece, dating back to the mid-16th century, showcases an incredibly detailed depiction of fish. Its pristine condition and historical significance contributed to its staggering sale price of approximately $27 million at Christie’s in 2017. The exquisite craftsmanship and rarity of this Wucai fish jar solidify its place among the most valuable antique dishes.
The Record-Breaking Qing Dynasty Falangcai Bowl: Around $25 Million
In 2023, an 18th-century Chinese bowl shattered auction records, fetching $25 million at a Sotheby’s auction. Remarkably, this bowl, measuring less than five inches in diameter, was initially sold for a mere 150 British pounds in 1929. This illustrates how drastically perceptions of value can change over time, and highlights the importance of expert appraisal. The bowl’s extraordinary value stems from its creation using Falangcai porcelain, a supremely rare type meaning “foreign colors.” Adorned with a delicate design of trees and inscribed with a poem, this Falangcai bowl exemplifies the pinnacle of Qing Dynasty artistry and is a testament to the allure of Old Dishes Worth Money.
The Majestic Blue and White Dragon Jar: Valued at $20 Million
Originating from the early 15th century, this impressive dragon vase stands over 19 inches tall, a remarkable feat of preservation considering its six-century history. The vase is decorated with a meticulously rendered blue dragon, complete with five claws and intricate scales, showcasing the iconic blue and white porcelain artistry of its period. In 2016, this piece was sold for approximately $20 million, underscoring the desirability of well-preserved, historically significant examples of antique Chinese porcelain. Its size, age, and artistry contribute to its high value in the world of old dishes worth money.
The Delicate Imperial Ruby Red Falangcai Double Lotus Bowl: Approximately $11 Million
Another exquisite example of Falangcai porcelain, this ruby red bowl dates back to around 1722. Its delicate nature is emphasized by its small size, just over four inches in diameter. The bowl features a beautiful design of lotus flowers on slender stalks, showcasing the refined aesthetics of the period. In 2019, this charming bowl achieved a sale price of approximately $11 million. The vibrant ruby red color, combined with the delicate lotus motif and the rarity of Falangcai porcelain, contribute to its significant value as an old dish worth money.
The Elegant Falangcai Sepia Enamel Prunus and Bamboo Bowl: Around $11 Million
Also around four inches in diameter, this Falangcai bowl presents a pristine white background adorned with intricate sepia enamel decorations. The design depicts a prunus tree and bamboo plants, complemented by verses of a poem inscribed on one side. Despite its age, dating back to the 1700s, it remains in excellent condition. This bowl sold for approximately $11 million in 2015. The subtle sepia tones, the refined subject matter of prunus and bamboo, and the poetic inscription enhance its artistic and monetary value within the realm of old dishes worth money.
Quick Tip: A recurring theme among these incredibly valuable dishes is their origin: antique Chinese porcelain. When evaluating your own collection or browsing antique markets, pay close attention to pieces with these characteristics. Rarity, age, and exceptional artistry are key indicators of potentially high value.
Understanding the Worth of Your Antique Dishes
Even if your vintage dishes are not in the million-dollar range, they can still hold considerable value. Antique dishes and glassware are popular collectibles, and the market for them is quite active. However, pricing is nuanced and varies significantly based on numerous factors, including the type of dish, the brand, the pattern, and condition.
China Dinnerware Values: Decoding the Worth
Vintage China Cabinet With Antique Tea Cup Collection
Several key elements influence the value of china plates, bowls, and platters. These factors interact to determine the ultimate worth of your pieces.
- Brand and Maker: Renowned china manufacturers like Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, and Haviland often command higher prices, particularly for rare or discontinued patterns. Identifying the maker’s mark is a crucial first step in assessing value.
- Pattern Rarity and Popularity: Certain patterns are more sought after than others due to their aesthetic appeal, historical significance, or limited production runs. Researching pattern names and their collectibility is important.
- Age and Era: Generally, older pieces, especially those from the 18th and 19th centuries, are more valuable than later examples. However, Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern china are also gaining popularity.
- Condition: The condition of antique china is paramount. Pieces free from chips, cracks, crazing (fine lines in the glaze), and significant wear will be worth considerably more.
- Completeness of Sets: Complete sets of china dinnerware, especially with serving pieces, are more valuable than individual plates or mismatched sets.
- Decoration and Design: Hand-painted details, intricate gilding, and unique designs can significantly increase value compared to mass-produced, simpler patterns.
Exploring Other Old Dishes and Their Values
Rare Antique Blue Transferware Plate
China is not the only category of vintage dishware that can be worth money. Let’s explore other types of old dishes that collectors often seek.
- Blue and White Transferware: Blue and white transferware dishes, particularly older examples, can be quite valuable. The intricate scenes and historical charm of transferware appeal to many collectors.
- Flow Blue China: Flow blue pieces are another sought-after type. Their value depends on factors like style (Oriental, romantic, or floral), age, and condition. Be aware of vintage and modern reproductions when assessing flow blue.
- Specialty Dishes: Unique dishes like antique square cake plates can have varying values. Their worth is influenced by the same factors as other china, along with the desirability of the specific form.
- Vintage Pyrex and Corningware: Pyrex bowls with vintage patterns and vintage Corningware are also highly collectible. Nostalgia and retro kitchen aesthetics drive the demand for these mid-century kitchen staples.
Quick Tip: Spotting a trend in what makes old dishes worth money? Rarity, handmade craftsmanship, significant age, and pristine condition are recurring themes. If you possess a piece exhibiting these qualities, researching its pattern and country of origin is a worthwhile endeavor – you might have uncovered a hidden treasure.
Depression-Era Glassware: Finding Value in the Past
vintage Cherry Blossom Depression Glass on a white cloth
Depression-era glassware is widely available in antique shops and thrift stores, but determining the most valuable pieces requires knowledge. This category includes drinking glasses, plates, platters, serving dishes, and more.
Antique depression stemware is particularly collectible. Complete sets in excellent condition are rare and command higher prices than individual pieces with imperfections. Colors, patterns, and manufacturers (like Hazel Atlas, Jeannette, and MacBeth-Evans) all play a role in determining value. Pink and green Depression glass are generally more desirable than clear or amber pieces.
Teapots, Teacups, and Coffee Pots: Elegant Collectibles
Two antique porcelain tea cups
Teapots and teacups, typically crafted from porcelain and fine china, can reach significant values if they are genuinely old, authentic, and in good condition. Detailed price information is readily available for some antique dishes in this category, while others require more research. For example, a Meissen teapot can often be valued in the thousands of dollars. Determining the worth of a Japanese teacup might require more investigation.
Complete tea sets are generally worth more than individual pieces, especially for English Bone China tea sets. Look for rare patterns from collectible manufacturers in excellent condition to maximize value. Ironstone tea and coffee pots are also collectible, and intricate designs and renowned makers like Mason can increase their worth.
Other Drinkware: Beyond Tea and Coffee
While glassware and tea sets are frequently mentioned among old dishes worth money, other types of drinkware can also be surprisingly valuable. Crystal stemware dating back a century or more, particularly pieces from prestigious manufacturers like Waterford, can be highly prized by collectors. Similarly, German beer steins, especially older ones or those made by well-known companies, can fetch impressive prices. Look for intricate detailing, unique materials (like stoneware or pewter), and maker’s marks to assess value.
Unlocking the Value of Your Antiques
Even if you have no plans to sell your collection, understanding the value of your old dishes is still beneficial. Conduct thorough research or seek professional appraisal to gain deeper insights into your collection’s worth. With a better understanding of what your antique dishes are worth, you can make informed decisions about displaying them, preserving them, or potentially selling pieces that are particularly valuable.
