When trying to put a value on vintage china, there are many factors that should be taken into consideration. If you are thinking of collecting vintage china for investment purposes, it is necessary to do a considerable amount of research about china value, so that you know what to look for, or, rather, look out for. What makes vintage fine china sought after and, therefore, valuable, depends on its period, age and design and the rarity of the pattern. So, let's take a look at some of the things, that you can do to determine the value of china.
It maybe a little obvious to point out, but it can't be emphasized enough, in that research is the key to a successful career in antiques, and there is much to learn. Even experienced collectors and dealers keep themselves well-informed and up-to-date on the latest information. Much of the information is reasonably straight forward to come by, so you should look into and acquaint yourself with the various kinds of china that is sought after:
From which dynasty
Pattern types
Stamps or any markings that may be found on an antique
When searching for an antique, check each piece closely for:
Chips
Cracks
Discolorations
Hairline Fractures and Scratches
These defects can greatly affect the value and be noted when it comes to its appraisal.
While on an antique hunt, it would be advisable to bring a magnifying glass and a black lamp. The black light can identify previous repair work that could not otherwise be seen by the naked eye or magnifying glass. New paste and paint will show up against the old. A magnifying glass is very useful to spot those hairline fractures and to find markings and indentations that could reveal the maker and period that could be easily missed. Blemishes will decrease the value of china as does some repair work, but it's worth noting that good repair work may help to restore and maintain the value of some chinaware.
As well as the condition of the chinaware it is important to note its age and to do this it is necessary to find the antiques mark or emblem. More often than not, these markings are usually located at the base or underneath the base of the piece, and if you're fortunate enough it may even include a production year. However, most specialists can give you a lot of information from just the mark or even just by the style and pattern used. Dating an antique as precisely as possible will determine whether or not a piece that you are interested in is a reproduction or the genuine article and will, naturally, have a bearing on its value.
So, to sum up, it isn't difficult to become an antique china hunter, and to become a good one requires interest and knowledge. Much information is available at your finger tips, especially these days. Look in libraries and antique journals and find out all you can about chinaware, familiarize yourself with well-known markings and learn to spot those reproductions. There are many bargains waiting to be discovered so why not get out there and see what you can find.
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