Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Identifying Your China
Search for identifying marks on your china pieces using your magnifying glass so you can clearly see and distinguish any numbers, marks, names, or details of a picture you might find. Some makers only mark certain pieces in their sets, for instance, you may find that your cups and saucers have no mark on the bottom, but if you check another piece in the same pattern, like a bowl or plate, you may find the china mark.
Search by the maker or brand of your china on the Internet at Lovers of Blue &White. Enter the name, such as Spode, Wedgewood, Royal Doulton, etc. The mark you located in Step 1 generally tells you the maker or brand.
Search by pattern if you know it and cannot verify the maker. Usually pattern names are very short. Sometimes the maker's name is in the pattern name, or the pattern may include numbers.
Search by the years in which the blue white china was in production. For instance, if you know your great-grandmother received it as a wedding gift, which was 1878, you would search 1870 to 1878, using the year she got married as a base, but allowing time prior to that specific date to help determine the year it was manufactured.
Take pictures of your plate or one of the other major pieces in your china set if you were unable to find a mark on any of the pieces and you don't know the pattern name. Download the pictures to your computer and save as a JPG file. Replacements, Ltd. has a customer service department set up to help you identify your blue white china at no charge.
Seek an appraiser to research your china if you have been unable to validate the pattern. You will have to pay for services, but you will not only learn the pattern of your blue white china but also gain knowledge of the value of your china. At Appraisers.org, you can find licensed appraisers in your area.