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Antique German Porcelain Birds

Antique 19th Century German KPM Porcelain Lidded Bowl Tureen Birds Butterflies
Antique 19th Century German KPM Porcelain Lidded Bowl Tureen Birds Butterflies

Antique 19th Century German KPM Porcelain Lidded Bowl Tureen Birds Butterflies

By KPM Porcelain

Located in Portland, OR

A very elegant antique 19th century KPM porcelain hand-painted & gilded lidded bowl/tureen

Category

Antique 1880s German Belle Époque Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Meissen Porcelain Boy & The Bird Cage Figure Model
Antique Meissen Porcelain Boy & The Bird Cage Figure Model

Antique Meissen Porcelain Boy & The Bird Cage Figure Model

$1,516Sale Price|20% Off

H 5.25 in W 5.625 in D 3.875 in

Antique Meissen Porcelain Boy & The Bird Cage Figure Model

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Atlanta, GA

with his pet bird. The figure stands next to a pierced porcelain bird cage adorned with foliage. Marked

Category

Antique 19th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Rococo Porcelain Ceremonial Plate Meissen Birds
19th Century Rococo Porcelain Ceremonial Plate Meissen Birds

19th Century Rococo Porcelain Ceremonial Plate Meissen Birds

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Uppsala , SE

The image displays a Meissen porcelain plate, from the 19th century, known for its intricate

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Meissen tray made of porcelain, with a motif of birds in a park.
Antique Meissen tray made of porcelain, with a motif of birds in a park.

Antique Meissen tray made of porcelain, with a motif of birds in a park.

Located in København, Copenhagen

Antique Meissen tray made of porcelain. Hand-painted with a motif of birds in a park landscape. On

Category

Antique 19th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Superb Antique Meissen German Porcelain Birds
Pair of Superb Antique Meissen German Porcelain Birds

Pair of Superb Antique Meissen German Porcelain Birds

$7,600Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 7.5 in W 10 in D 5 in

Pair of Superb Antique Meissen German Porcelain Birds

Located in New York, NY

The superb pair of porcelain figures depicts two birds modeled in a naturalistic stance, each

Category

Early 20th Century German Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Figure Porcelain Bird Pheasant Karl Ens Germany
Figure Porcelain Bird Pheasant Karl Ens Germany

Figure Porcelain Bird Pheasant Karl Ens Germany

$637

H 7.49 in W 4.34 in D 7.49 in

Figure Porcelain Bird Pheasant Karl Ens Germany

By Karl Ens

Located in Uppsala , SE

This piece is from Karl Ens, a renowned German porcelain manufacturer established in Thuringia at

Category

Mid-20th Century German Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinoiserie Pink French Porcelain German Ormulu Bird Painted Vase
Antique Chinoiserie Pink French Porcelain German Ormulu Bird Painted Vase

Antique Chinoiserie Pink French Porcelain German Ormulu Bird Painted Vase

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique Chinoiserie Pink French Porcelain German Ormulu Bird Painted Hexagonal Vase. Circa Early

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Vases

Materials

Porcelain

Recent Sales

Pair Antique Meissen Thrush Bird Porcelain Figurines
Pair Antique Meissen Thrush Bird Porcelain Figurines

Pair Antique Meissen Thrush Bird Porcelain Figurines

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in New York, NY

Pair of antique (late 19th to early 20th century) Meissen glazed porcelain figurines depicting

Category

Early 20th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Fine Pair of Antique Meissen Porcelain Figures of Birds
Fine Pair of Antique Meissen Porcelain Figures of Birds

Fine Pair of Antique Meissen Porcelain Figures of Birds

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in New York, NY

A fine pair of antique Meissen porcelain figures of birds on branches. Original pair, each marked

Category

Antique 19th Century German Rococo Porcelain

Meissen, Germany, Antique Hand-Painted Porcelain Figure, Bird, Late 19th C.
Meissen, Germany, Antique Hand-Painted Porcelain Figure, Bird, Late 19th C.

Meissen, Germany, Antique Hand-Painted Porcelain Figure, Bird, Late 19th C.

Located in København, Copenhagen

Meissen, Germany. Antique hand-painted porcelain figure. Bird. Late 19th century. Measures: 10.5

Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Meissen Plate in Hand Painted Porcelain Decorated with Birds
Antique Meissen Plate in Hand Painted Porcelain Decorated with Birds

Antique Meissen Plate in Hand Painted Porcelain Decorated with Birds

Located in København, Copenhagen

Antique Meissen plate in hand painted porcelain decorated with birds and gold edge. Early 20th

Category

Early 20th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Meissen Porcelain Plate with Hand-Painted Flowers and Bird
Antique Meissen Porcelain Plate with Hand-Painted Flowers and Bird

Antique Meissen Porcelain Plate with Hand-Painted Flowers and Bird

Located in København, Copenhagen

Antique Meissen porcelain plate with hand-painted flowers, bird and gold decoration. Late 19th

Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Five Antique Meissen Dinner Plates in Hand Painted Porcelain with Birds
Five Antique Meissen Dinner Plates in Hand Painted Porcelain with Birds

Five Antique Meissen Dinner Plates in Hand Painted Porcelain with Birds

Located in København, Copenhagen

Five antique Meissen dinner plates in hand painted porcelain with birds, flowers, insects and gold

Category

Antique 19th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Antique and Rare Meissen Porcelain Plate with Hand-Painted Birds and Insects
Antique and Rare Meissen Porcelain Plate with Hand-Painted Birds and Insects

Antique and Rare Meissen Porcelain Plate with Hand-Painted Birds and Insects

Located in København, Copenhagen

Antique and rare Meissen porcelain plate with hand-painted birds, insects and gold decoration. 19th

Category

Antique 19th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Antique and Rare Meissen Porcelain Plate with Hand-Painted Birds and Insects
Antique and Rare Meissen Porcelain Plate with Hand-Painted Birds and Insects

Antique and Rare Meissen Porcelain Plate with Hand-Painted Birds and Insects

Located in København, Copenhagen

Antique and rare Meissen porcelain plate with hand-painted birds, insects and gold decoration. 19th

Category

Antique 19th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

12 Dinner Cabinet Plates Birds Ornithological Antique Dresden A. Lamm
12 Dinner Cabinet Plates Birds Ornithological Antique Dresden A. Lamm

12 Dinner Cabinet Plates Birds Ornithological Antique Dresden A. Lamm

By Ambrosius Lamm

Located in Austin, TX

1915. Size: 11 inch diameter. Ambrosius Lamm began decorating porcelain in 1887 in Dresden Germany

Category

Vintage 1910s German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Hand Painted Meissen Leaf-Shaped Dish with Bird Motif, Mid-19th Century
Antique Hand Painted Meissen Leaf-Shaped Dish with Bird Motif, Mid-19th Century

Antique Hand Painted Meissen Leaf-Shaped Dish with Bird Motif, Mid-19th Century

Located in København, Copenhagen

Antique hand painted Meissen leaf-shaped dish with bird motif and repousse flowers, mid-19th

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Antique German Meissen Continental Porcelain Parrot Bird Green Gilt 19th Century
Antique German Meissen Continental Porcelain Parrot Bird Green Gilt 19th Century

Antique German Meissen Continental Porcelain Parrot Bird Green Gilt 19th Century

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Dublin, Ireland

Very Stylish German Meissen Glazed Porcelain Parrot of exceptional quality, last quarter of the

Category

Antique 19th Century German Late Victorian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain, Pottery

Pair Sitzendorf German Porcelain Birds Parakeets Cockrels Cockatoos Parrots 19Ct
Pair Sitzendorf German Porcelain Birds Parakeets Cockrels Cockatoos Parrots 19Ct

Pair Sitzendorf German Porcelain Birds Parakeets Cockrels Cockatoos Parrots 19Ct

By Sitzendorf

Located in Dublin, Ireland

An exceptionally fine quality highly detailed pair of German Sitzendorf pottery porcelain Parrots

Category

Antique 17th Century German Victorian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain, Pottery

Pair of Antique Porcelain Birds, Partridges Sculpture
Pair of Antique Porcelain Birds, Partridges Sculpture

Pair of Antique Porcelain Birds, Partridges Sculpture

Located in Katonah, NY

A pair of continental porcelain partridges well modeled and naturalistically painted with finely

Category

Antique 19th Century German Rococo Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Cabinet Game Bird Plate Hand-Painted Gilt Attributed to Lamm Studio
Antique Cabinet Game Bird Plate Hand-Painted Gilt Attributed to Lamm Studio

Antique Cabinet Game Bird Plate Hand-Painted Gilt Attributed to Lamm Studio

By Ambrosius Lamm

Located in Austin, TX

the female duck. Heavy gilding and gilt paste decorates the lip. A pair of gilt birds perch

Category

Vintage 1930s German Dinner Plates

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Pair of Meissen Style Continental Parrots Birds Green Gilt, 19th Century
Antique Pair of Meissen Style Continental Parrots Birds Green Gilt, 19th Century

Antique Pair of Meissen Style Continental Parrots Birds Green Gilt, 19th Century

Located in Dublin, Ireland

Very Stylish Pair of Glazed Porcelain Parrots of Continental origin, last quarter of the Nineteenth

Category

Antique 19th Century German Late Victorian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain, Pottery

Pair Antique German Porcelain Birds Parakeets Cockrels Cockatoos Parrots 19Ct
Pair Antique German Porcelain Birds Parakeets Cockrels Cockatoos Parrots 19Ct

Pair Antique German Porcelain Birds Parakeets Cockrels Cockatoos Parrots 19Ct

By Sitzendorf

Located in Dublin, Ireland

An exceptionally fine quality highly detailed pair of German Sitzendorf style pottery porcelain

Category

Early 20th Century German Victorian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain, Pottery

Antique Meissen Miniature Porcelain Figurine, Bird, Late 19th Century
Antique Meissen Miniature Porcelain Figurine, Bird, Late 19th Century

Antique Meissen Miniature Porcelain Figurine, Bird, Late 19th Century

Located in København, Copenhagen

Antique Meissen miniature porcelain figurine. Bird. Late 19th century. Measures: 5 x 4 cm. In

Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Four Antique Meissen Porcelain Plates with Hand-Painted Flowers and Birds
Four Antique Meissen Porcelain Plates with Hand-Painted Flowers and Birds

Four Antique Meissen Porcelain Plates with Hand-Painted Flowers and Birds

Located in København, Copenhagen

Four antique Meissen porcelain plates with hand-painted flowers, birds and gold decoration. Late

Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Antique and Rare Meissen Porcelain Plate with Hand-Painted Birds and Insects
Antique and Rare Meissen Porcelain Plate with Hand-Painted Birds and Insects

Antique and Rare Meissen Porcelain Plate with Hand-Painted Birds and Insects

Located in København, Copenhagen

Antique and rare Meissen porcelain plate with hand-painted birds, insects and gold decoration

Category

Antique 19th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Four Antique Pierced Meissen Plates with Hand Painted Bird Motifs
Four Antique Pierced Meissen Plates with Hand Painted Bird Motifs

Four Antique Pierced Meissen Plates with Hand Painted Bird Motifs

Located in København, Copenhagen

Four antique pierced Meissen plates with hand painted bird motifs, mid-19th century. Measures

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Antique Porcelain Model of a Bullfinch Bird
Meissen Antique Porcelain Model of a Bullfinch Bird

Meissen Antique Porcelain Model of a Bullfinch Bird

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

A fine antique German Meissen porcelain model of a Bullfinch bird dating from the latter 19th

Category

Antique 1880s German Victorian Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Style Antique Porcelain Birds and Nest Figure
Meissen Style Antique Porcelain Birds and Nest Figure

Meissen Style Antique Porcelain Birds and Nest Figure

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

A very fine antique, possibly Meissen, porcelain figure of two birds with a nest dating from the

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century German Other Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Set German Dresden Meissen Ornithological Bird Insect Cabinet Plates
Antique Set German Dresden Meissen Ornithological Bird Insect Cabinet Plates

Antique Set German Dresden Meissen Ornithological Bird Insect Cabinet Plates

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Dublin, Ireland

An exceptionally rare set of four German Meissen ornithological themed porcelain cabinet plates of

Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Victorian Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Pair of German Meissen Continental Parrots Birds Green Gilt 19th Century
Antique Pair of German Meissen Continental Parrots Birds Green Gilt 19th Century

Antique Pair of German Meissen Continental Parrots Birds Green Gilt 19th Century

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Dublin, Ireland

Very Stylish Pair of German Meissen Glazed Porcelain Parrots of exceptional quality, last quarter

Category

Antique 19th Century German Late Victorian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain, Pottery

Monumental Pair of Meissen Porcelain Snowball Vases with Parrots and Birds
Monumental Pair of Meissen Porcelain Snowball Vases with Parrots and Birds

Monumental Pair of Meissen Porcelain Snowball Vases with Parrots and Birds

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in New York, NY

This rare and monumental antique pair of Meissen Porcelain 22 inch vases is crafted in the

Category

Antique 1820s German Rococo Vases

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Pair of Meissen Style Continental Parrots Birds Green Gilt, 19th Century
Antique Pair of Meissen Style Continental Parrots Birds Green Gilt, 19th Century

Antique Pair of Meissen Style Continental Parrots Birds Green Gilt, 19th Century

By Dresden Porcelain

Located in Dublin, Ireland

Very stylish pair of glazed porcelain parrots of continental origin, last quarter of the 19th

Category

Antique 19th Century German Late Victorian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain, Pottery

Antique Porcelain Bird Sculpture or Figurine, Hand Painted and Realistic, KPM
Antique Porcelain Bird Sculpture or Figurine, Hand Painted and Realistic, KPM

Antique Porcelain Bird Sculpture or Figurine, Hand Painted and Realistic, KPM

By Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Manufacturer of Germany, KPM, circa 1900 and in really nice antique condition and ready for display.

Category

Antique 1890s German Animal Sculptures

Materials

Enamel

KPM, Berlin, Antique Blanc De Chine Figurine, Bird, 19th Century
KPM, Berlin, Antique Blanc De Chine Figurine, Bird, 19th Century

KPM, Berlin, Antique Blanc De Chine Figurine, Bird, 19th Century

Located in København, Copenhagen

KPM, Berlin. Antique blanc de chine figurine. Bird, 19th century. Measures: 21.5 x 14 cm. In very

Category

Antique 19th Century German Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Meissen Porcelain Parrot Bird Figurine
Antique Meissen Porcelain Parrot Bird Figurine

Antique Meissen Porcelain Parrot Bird Figurine

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in London, GB

A early 20th century Meissen Porcelain figure of a well modelled Parrot, perched upon a tree. The

Category

Antique Early 1900s German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Meissen Figural Group of Girl and Boy with Two Birds Out of Their Cage
Antique Meissen Figural Group of Girl and Boy with Two Birds Out of Their Cage

Antique Meissen Figural Group of Girl and Boy with Two Birds Out of Their Cage

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Boston, MA

Meissen figural group of girl and boy with two birds out of their cage. They have a flower garland

Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Romantic Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

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Early 20th Century Decorative Box - Brass - Gothic Tristan and Isolde Theme
Early 20th Century Decorative Box - Brass - Gothic Tristan and Isolde Theme

Early 20th Century Decorative Box - Brass - Gothic Tristan and Isolde Theme

Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant

A beautiful decorative box, made of brass. The box is richly decorated with elegant motifs and representations of the classic story Tristan and Isolde. The box was probably made in B...

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Medieval Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique French Sevres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Covered Vases
Pair of Antique French Sevres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Covered Vases

Pair of Antique French Sevres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Covered Vases

By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres

Located in New York, NY

A significant pair of French Sèvres style porcelain and gilt bronze covered vases. Each vase is of baluster form with a domed cover surmounted by a knop finial, raised on a conformin...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Porcelain

Materials

Bronze

Large English Porcelain Dinner Service, Minton, circa 1845
Large English Porcelain Dinner Service, Minton, circa 1845

Large English Porcelain Dinner Service, Minton, circa 1845

Located in New York, NY

With a soft turquoise ground, painted with a fine spray of flowers, with gilt scroll and dash borders. Comprising pair of covered tureens and stands, pair of vegetable tureens, well ...

Category

Antique 1840s English Dinner Plates

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Porcelain Monkey Musician Figurine
Meissen Porcelain Monkey Musician Figurine

Meissen Porcelain Monkey Musician Figurine

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in New York, NY

Meissen Porcelain Monkey Musician Figurine. The Meissen porcelain figurine represents a violinist monkey from the celebrated “Monkey Band” series, conceived as part of the Affenkapel...

Category

20th Century German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Germany Meissen Porcelain Grouping
19th Century Germany Meissen Porcelain Grouping

19th Century Germany Meissen Porcelain Grouping

$4,200

H 8.5 in W 8.5 in D 3.5 in

19th Century Germany Meissen Porcelain Grouping

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Los Angeles, CA

19th century Germany Meissen porcelain grouping.

Category

Antique 19th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

French 19th century Louis XVI st. Ormolu and Sévres Porcelain box.
French 19th century Louis XVI st. Ormolu and Sévres Porcelain box.

French 19th century Louis XVI st. Ormolu and Sévres Porcelain box.

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An elegant and elaborately decorated French 19th century Louis XVI st. Ormolu and Sévres Porcelain box. This charming oblong oval shaped lidded box is raised by four toupie shaped fe...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ormolu

Antique KPM Royal Berlin Porcelain Hand-Painted Tureen with Cornucopia & Cherub
Antique KPM Royal Berlin Porcelain Hand-Painted Tureen with Cornucopia & Cherub

Antique KPM Royal Berlin Porcelain Hand-Painted Tureen with Cornucopia & Cherub

By KPM Porcelain

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A fine antique KPM porcelain tureen with flower encrusted handles, Deutsche Blumen floral sprays, and a figural cherub and cornucopia finial. The base bears a blue underglaze fac...

Category

Early 20th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

German 19th Century Berlin Porcelain Kpm Covered Bacchus Tureen Centerpiece
German 19th Century Berlin Porcelain Kpm Covered Bacchus Tureen Centerpiece

German 19th Century Berlin Porcelain Kpm Covered Bacchus Tureen Centerpiece

By Royal Porzellan Bavaria KPM Germany Handarbeit.

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A very fine German 19th century Berlin porcelain covered Tureen, the finial in form of an infant Bacchus on a domed cover with molded band and painted scenes divided by floral sprays...

Category

Antique 19th Century German Classical Greek Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Rare Antique 102 piece Meissen „Flower Bouqet” Dinner Service, Germany 1840
Rare Antique 102 piece Meissen „Flower Bouqet” Dinner Service, Germany 1840

Rare Antique 102 piece Meissen „Flower Bouqet” Dinner Service, Germany 1840

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Rome, IT

Extensive 102 Piece Rare Meissen Dinner Service "Flower Bouqett", 1815 – 1860 , colorful, richly decorated gold rim, consisting of: 45 dinner plates (Ø 24 cm,) 24 deep plates (Ø 23 ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Dinner Plates

Materials

Porcelain

Old or Antique Meissen Porcelain Figurine of Cupid with Bound Wings
Old or Antique Meissen Porcelain Figurine of Cupid with Bound Wings

Old or Antique Meissen Porcelain Figurine of Cupid with Bound Wings

By Heinrich Schwabe 1, Meissen Porcelain

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A fine old or antique Meissen porcelain figurine. Depicting Cupid sitting atop a rock with a sad expression, both hands and wings bound behind his back. Atop a circular gilt Rococo...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Rococo Revival Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

A Monumental Meissen Porcelain Figural Group of Mount Parnassus
A Monumental Meissen Porcelain Figural Group of Mount Parnassus

A Monumental Meissen Porcelain Figural Group of Mount Parnassus

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Brighton, West Sussex

A Monumental Meissen Porcelain Figural Group of Apollo and the Nine Muses on Mount Parnassus. Comprised of sixteen interlocking parts. Apollo standing holding a lyre and with Pega...

Category

Antique 19th Century German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of French Napoleanic Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Covered Vases/Pot Pourries
Pair of French Napoleanic Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Covered Vases/Pot Pourries

Pair of French Napoleanic Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Covered Vases/Pot Pourries

By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres

Located in New York, NY

A pair of highly important and rare antique French Napoleonic gilt bronze mounted, cobalt blue, double handled, Royal Napoleonic Sèvres style porcelain covered vases/ pot pourries of...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Vases

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Antique German Porcelain Birds For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of antique German porcelain birds available for sale. The range of distinct antique German porcelain birds — often made from ceramic, porcelain and enamel — can elevate any home. Antique German porcelain birds have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century. Antique German porcelain birds bearing Rococo or Victorian hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. Ambrosius Lamm, Meissen Porcelain and Dresden Porcelain each produced beautiful antique German porcelain birds that are worth considering.

How Much are Antique German Porcelain Birds?

Antique German porcelain birds can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $855, while the lowest priced sells for $240 and the highest can go for as much as $14,500.

Finding the Right Porcelain for You

Today you’re likely to bring out your antique and vintage porcelain in order to dress up your dining table for a special meal.

Porcelain, a durable and nonporous kind of pottery made from clay and stone, was first made in China and spread across the world owing to the trade routes to the Far East established by Dutch and Portuguese merchants. Given its origin, English speakers called porcelain “fine china,” an expression you still might hear today. "Fine" indeed — for over a thousand years, it has been a highly sought-after material.

Meissen Porcelain, one of the first factories to create real porcelain outside Asia, popularized figurine centerpieces during the 18th century in Germany, while works by Capodimonte, a porcelain factory in Italy, are synonymous with flowers and notoriously hard to come by. Modern porcelain houses such as Maison Fragile of Limoges, France — long a hub of private porcelain manufacturing — keep the city’s long tradition alive while collaborating with venturesome contemporary artists such as illustrator Jean-Michel Tixier.

Porcelain is not totally clumsy-guest-proof, but it is surprisingly durable and easy to clean. Its low permeability and hardness have rendered porcelain wares a staple in kitchens and dining rooms as well as a common material for bathroom sinks and dental veneers. While it is tempting to store your porcelain behind closed glass cabinet doors and reserve it only for display, your porcelain dinner plates and serving platters can safely weather the “dangers” of the dining room and be used during meals.

Add different textures and colors to your table with dinner plates and pitchers of ceramic and silver or a porcelain lidded tureen, a serving dish with side handles that is often used for soups. Although porcelain and ceramic are both made in a kiln, porcelain is made with more refined clay and is stronger than ceramic because it is denser. 

On 1stDibs, browse an expansive collection of antique and vintage porcelain made in a variety of styles, including Regency, Scandinavian modern and other examples produced during the mid-century era, plus Rococo, which found its inspiration in nature and saw potters crafting animal figurines and integrating organic motifs such as floral patterns in their work.