Bone china is highly regarded as one of the finest types of collectible dishware. Admired by those with discerning taste for both its beauty and surprising durability, these lightweight pieces have come to be associated with royalty and other people of high social standing. Buyers who are interested in purchasing fine English bone china tea sets should follow these guidelines in order to find exactly what they are looking for.
Numerous manufacturers produce their own bone china tea service sets to sell to collectors. Every brand has its own distinctive style of shape and pattern. Collectors usually have a preference for one particular design or another. Older sets may be classified as either vintage or antique, which makes them even more valuable.
The quality of bone china is determined by the percentage of cow bone ash it is composed of. The best quality is that which contains 30 to 45 percent. It differs from ordinary china in that it is fired two times; the first is a standard firing, and the second is with a protective glaze to make it stronger so it is more resistant to breaking and will last for many years. Sometimes flaws occur during this process, and buyers should be mindful of this.
Some tea sets contain more pieces than others, as they meant to serve a larger number of people. The teapot is the largest piece, and it will generally have a volume between one cup and three liters. The quantity of cups and saucers, as well as other pieces like serving plates, the sugar dish and creamer, can vary as well.
Many colors and styles of tea sets are available to suit the taste of every collector. Some buyers choose one according to their preferences or to match other dishes they already own. There are solid designs which are simple and understated, those which are very detailed and elaborate, and some which fall in between these.
If someone owns an antique set, having it appraised is advisable since this is the only way to get an accurate picture of its value. The number of pieces and their size is a primary factor affecting the price of the set. Sometimes they actually sell for more money on a per item basis than they do as full set, unless that is what the buyer is specifically after.
Sets in excellent condition can be expected to naturally fetch a higher price than those with damage or defects such as discolorations, chips, and cracks. Checking the "backstamp" on every piece will state the name of the manufacturer and possibly the pattern, information which is useful for dating the tea set.
Given the gentle care and handling it deserves, bone china tea sets can be enjoyed as family heirlooms for years to come. If it is only used on occasion, in a cautious manner it will stand a better chance of being around for longer. No abrasive cleaning product or technique should be used, just dish soap and water, and no aggressive scrubbing actions.
Numerous manufacturers produce their own bone china tea service sets to sell to collectors. Every brand has its own distinctive style of shape and pattern. Collectors usually have a preference for one particular design or another. Older sets may be classified as either vintage or antique, which makes them even more valuable.
The quality of bone china is determined by the percentage of cow bone ash it is composed of. The best quality is that which contains 30 to 45 percent. It differs from ordinary china in that it is fired two times; the first is a standard firing, and the second is with a protective glaze to make it stronger so it is more resistant to breaking and will last for many years. Sometimes flaws occur during this process, and buyers should be mindful of this.
Some tea sets contain more pieces than others, as they meant to serve a larger number of people. The teapot is the largest piece, and it will generally have a volume between one cup and three liters. The quantity of cups and saucers, as well as other pieces like serving plates, the sugar dish and creamer, can vary as well.
Many colors and styles of tea sets are available to suit the taste of every collector. Some buyers choose one according to their preferences or to match other dishes they already own. There are solid designs which are simple and understated, those which are very detailed and elaborate, and some which fall in between these.
If someone owns an antique set, having it appraised is advisable since this is the only way to get an accurate picture of its value. The number of pieces and their size is a primary factor affecting the price of the set. Sometimes they actually sell for more money on a per item basis than they do as full set, unless that is what the buyer is specifically after.
Sets in excellent condition can be expected to naturally fetch a higher price than those with damage or defects such as discolorations, chips, and cracks. Checking the "backstamp" on every piece will state the name of the manufacturer and possibly the pattern, information which is useful for dating the tea set.
Given the gentle care and handling it deserves, bone china tea sets can be enjoyed as family heirlooms for years to come. If it is only used on occasion, in a cautious manner it will stand a better chance of being around for longer. No abrasive cleaning product or technique should be used, just dish soap and water, and no aggressive scrubbing actions.
About the Author:
You can find a detailed summary of the benefits you get when you purchase fine English bone china tea sets online at http://englishchinastore.com right now.
No comments:
Post a Comment