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Porcelain For Sale
18th Century Italian Doccia Porcelain Dinner Service
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A dinner service comprising six dinner dishes and six soup dishes made by the Doccia Porcelain Manufactory, circa 1750. Italy was the site of Europ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 12 English Raised Gilt Porcelain Dinner Service Plates
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A regal set of 12 elaborately gild service plates, by Royal Worcester. The set with delicate broad gilt borders with a white porcelain background. The mark on the back from 1950.
Category

1950s American Vintage Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Haviland & Co. Limoges French Porcelain Salad Bowl with Tray
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. We would like to inform you that the object, described below, was part of a complete service that we have divided and we offer the loose sale of the individual pieces. Elegant Limoges white porcelain salad bowl...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Early Worcester Strutting Birds High Footed Sauceboat c1753-55
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Worcester porcelain sauce boat with strutting birds Date : 1753-1755 Period : George II Origin : Worcester, England Colour : Polychrome Pattern : Floral polychrome band to ...
Category

1750s British George II Antique Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Porcelain Large Plate or Dish Blue & White Fish Pattern, Early 19th C
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful hand painted, blue and white Chinese porcelain large diameter dish or plate, which we date to the early 19th century period of the Qing dynasty. The plate is wel...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Belleek Cabaret Tea Set for Two, Cream Grass Pattern, Victorian 1863-1891
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful and very rare Belleek cabaret set in the Grass design, consisting of a teapot, two teacups and saucers, a milk jug and a lidded sugar bowl, all placed on a large tray. All items carry the 1st Black Mark, which was used between 1863 and 1891. It is extremely rare to come across an entire cabaret set of these antique items, particularly when in such fabulous condition, so this is a rare opportunity! If you ever thought Belleek fine china looks, sounds and feels unique, you are right. There is a back story to this extraordinarily fine Irish eggshell porcelain, which has an unusually high amount of "frit" and therefore is thinner and finer than any other china. Pottery in Belleek (in the now Northern-Irish area of Fermanagh) had started in 1849 with John Caldwell Bloomfield, who was a wealthy land owner. During the Irish famine...
Category

Late 19th Century Northern Irish Victorian Antique Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

A painted porcelain Easter egg depicting a bunch of Violet flowers, Russia 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
Painted porcelain Easter egg, depicting a bunch of violet flowers on one side, and the Cyrillic monogram C.R (Risen Christ) on the other side, on a blue background. Russia, circa 1890.
Category

Late 19th Century Russian Antique Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Porcelain 1950s figurine “Lolita” dancing signed lladro, Spain
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Porcelain 1950s figurine “Lolita” dancing signed lladro, Spain Spain / 1950 / figurine dancer / Lladro / porcelain / Mid-century / Vintage An unusual ...
Category

1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Picasso Limoge Plate 2
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Picasso Decorative plate Limoges porcelain Signed Diameter 24 cm 1950/1960 190 euros
Category

1950s Vintage Porcelain

Materials

Ceramic

A magnificent pair of Flight, Barr & Barr Worcester Ice Pails c.1813
Located in Exeter, GB
A magnificent and rare pair of Flight, Barr & Barr Worcester Porcelain Ice Pails c.1813. Superbly decorated with scenes including Windsor Castle, Binstead Cottage, Malvern Church and...
Category

19th Century British Antique Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Group Of Children Playing With A Goat - Ludwigsburg Porcelain
Located in Brussels, BE
Group Of Children Playing With A Goat - Ludwigsburg Porcelain
Category

19th Century German Rococo Antique Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Ikat Porcelain Dessert Plates - Set of 6, Made in Italy
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Ikat patterns are an integral part of our colorful world, celebrating the beauty of this timeless design. Inspired by its rich heritage, we’ve transformed some of our most iconic Ika...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

German White Porcelain Male Nude Putti Sculptures, Set of 6
Located in New York, NY
A set of six (6) German white porcelain male nude putti sculptures in the Renaissance or Neoclassical styles, circa 20th century, Germany. A fun set of six male nude tumbling putti s...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Renaissance Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Porcelain Tea Service 19th Century, Empire Style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Porcelain tea service with Napoleon decorations, Sèvres Imperial Manufactory, 19th century, Empire style. A Sèvres porcelain tea service with Napoleo...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Maharam Pattern Porcelain Cup by Scholten & Baijings
Located in New York, NY
Pattern Porcelain Cup by Scholten & Baijings 003 Zinc Porcelain with Grid textile graphic. Matte exterior with gloss interior. Made in japan by 1616 / arita Japan. Dishwasher safe. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal, Eight "Herbst / Autumn" Porcelain Plates, 1970s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal. Eight "Herbst / Autumn" porcelain plates decorated with branches and orange leaves. 1970s. Diameter: 11 x 10.5 cm. In excellent condition. Stamped.
Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Tapio Wirkkala Tea Set for Rosenthal Series Noire
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of 8 cups with saucers plus pitcher with brass handle. No chips!
Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Napoleon III Gilt Bronze-Mounted Green Ground Porcelain Jardinière
Located in Paris, FR
French 19th century gilt bronze-mounted porcelain jardinière. It is decorated on the exterior with a couple in a landscape on one side and with a bird on a branch on the other side. ...
Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Porcelain

Materials

Bronze

Rare Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Full Lace Sugar Bowl (1898-1923)
Located in Lejre, DK
This rare Royal Copenhagen sugar bowl in the Blue Fluted Full Lace pattern is a beautiful example of classic Danish porcelain art. Produced betw...
Category

1910s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Two PAIRs of Chinese Export Cups and Saucers egg-shell porcelain, Qing 19th C
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is Two PAIRS of Chinese export Cups and Saucers made from eggshell porcelain and hand painted in the very decorative Rose Medallion ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Villeroy & Boch Naif Dinner Service in Porcelain, a Set of 6 Deep Plates
Located in København, Copenhagen
Villeroy & Boch Naif dinner service in porcelain. A set of 6 deep plates decorated with naivist motifs. In very good condition. Stamped. Measures: 22 x 3.5 cm. Designed by Gérard...
Category

20th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Ginori Luke Edward Hall's "Il Viaggio Di Nettuno" Dolphin Oval Platter, 2022
Located in Cagliari, IT
The "Il Viaggi di Nettuno" pattern is inspired by Luke Edward Hall’s love of Greco-Roman mythology, and particularly Neptune, the Roman god of the sea...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Limoges, France. Miniature coffee pot and water jug in porcelain.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Limoges, France. Miniature Coffee pot and water jug in porcelain, decorated with 22-karat gold leaf and a beautiful royal blue glaze. Scène galante. Approximately 1970. Provenance: ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Vase with Lid, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Royal Copenhagen Lovely Royal Copenhagen porcelain vase, terra cotta and grey crackle glaze with gold trim and decorated lid. With marks on base, Denmark, 1950s Measures: 9 height x ...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Nine Pairs of Royal Copenhagen Cream-Coloured Bouillon Cups with Saucers
Located in København, Copenhagen
Nine pairs of Royal Copenhagen cream-coloured bouillon cups with matching saucers. Dated 1953. In excellent condition. 3. sorting Marked. Cup: H 5.5 x D 13.0 without a handle. ...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Leaf-Shaped Meissen Blue Onion Dish in Hand-Painted Porcelain, Early 20th C
Located in København, Copenhagen
Leaf-shaped Meissen Blue Onion dish in hand-painted porcelain. Early 20th century. Measures: 19 x 6 cm. In excellent condition. Signed. 1st factory quality.
Category

Early 20th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Vintage "Botanica Pratica" Porcelain Botanical Serving Bowl
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful substantial sized porcelain square vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Piero Fornasetti bowl or serving piece has all the elements of botanicals and flowers and is enti...
Category

1950s Italian Classical Roman Vintage Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

18th Century Worcester Blind Earl Porcelain Dish
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A Worcester Blind Earl porcelain plate made circa 1770 with beautifully enamelled decoration of butterflies and insects among raised leaf and rose...
Category

1770s English Rococo Antique Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Royal Copenhagen Blue Flower Curved Coffee Service for Six People, 1960s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Royal Copenhagen blue flower curved coffee service for six people. 1960s. Model number 10/1549. Consisting of six coffee cups (10/1549) with saucers and six plates (10/1625). The...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Gio Ponti Teacups and Saucers for Ginori, Il Circo
Located in Riverdale, NY
Set of 4 Il Circo (circus) tea cups and saucers from the mid 1930's Italy designed by Gio Ponti for Ginori. Each decorated with a charming Modernist figure of...
Category

1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

91 Pieces, Vintage, 1933, Noritake 'Adelpha' Bone China Set - 12 Place Settings
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Elegant Noritake Adelpha dining set for 12. Based on the stamp this set was made between 1933 and 1940. The set includes: (12) Dinner plates - 10" (1...
Category

1930s Japanese American Classical Vintage Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Two Herend bowls in openwork porcelain with hand-painted flowers.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Two Herend bowls in openwork porcelain with hand-painted flowers and gold decoration. Mid-20th century. Largest measures: 13 x 5 cm. In excellent c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Hungarian Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Gerold Porzellan Vase
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An elegant vase by German maker Gerold Porzellan, circa 1950. White glaze with gold accent.
Category

1950s German Modern Vintage Porcelain

Coalport Saucer Dish Plate, Cobalt Blue, Gilt and Birds, Regency ca 1815
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful saucer dish or deep plate made by Coalport around the year 1815. This plate would have belonged to a large tea service. The plate is decorated with a deep cobalt ...
Category

1810s English Regency Antique Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Three Herend Vases in Hand Painted Porcelain with Flowers and Gold Decoration
Located in København, Copenhagen
Three Herend vases in hand painted porcelain with flowers and gold decoration, mid-20th century. Largest measures: 16.5 x 9.5 cm. In very good condition. Stamped.
Category

Mid-20th Century Hungarian Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Empire Amphora Vases in Gilded Porcelain with Handles of Swans
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this fantastic pair of porcelain amphora vases, Empire period, first half of the 19th century. The two vases are characterized by a rich decoration. The attention is certa...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Adamo or Adam Porcelain Plate # 7, Signed, Excellent Condition
Located in Kansas City, MO
Piero Fornasetti Adamo or Adam porcelain plate number 7. Signed. Excellent condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Porcelain Tea or Coffee Set, Rosslau China Blau
Located in Chorzów, PL
Porcelain set, Rosslau China Blau. Breakfast set from the Hermann Schomburg & Söhne Porzellan Rosslau manufacture, China Blau collection. Very good condi...
Category

1980s German Vintage Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Cobalt blue and gold porcelain box from Limoges, France circa 1955/60
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Pretty candy box in Limoges porcelain. Can be used in jewelry box, candy box or vide-poche. The porcelain is a beautiful cobalt blue enhanced with fine go...
Category

Mid-20th Century Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Limoges porcelain plate hand-painted roses circa 1903-1912
Located in Paris, FR
An elegant Limoges porcelain plate, beautifully executed by the esteemed Paroutaud Frères (B & P), operating in Limoges, France, during the early 20th century. This plate exemplifies...
Category

19th Century French Antique Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Mega Jug, 21st Century
Located in København, Copenhagen
Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Mega jug. 21st Century. Model number 444. Measures: 19 x 18 cm. In excellent condition. Stamped. 1...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Bjørn Wiinblad Christmas plate 1971 "Mary with baby Jesus"
Located in Brønshøj, DK
Bjørn Wiinblad porcelain Christmas plate 1971, produced By Rosenthal. Motif: Maria with the Child Designed by: Bjørn Wiinblad. Diameter: 11" - 29 cm Comes in original box. Box h...
Category

1970s German Vintage Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 11 Early Spode Ironstone Imari Dessert Dishes Made circa 1815
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A set of 11 Imari style ironstone dessert dishes, made by Spode circa 1815. Josiah Spode II began producing stone china in 1813 as an alternative to porcelain. Stone china, also kno...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Porcelain

Materials

Ironstone

Rare Royal Copenhagen Pekingese Puppy, Number 448
Located in København, Copenhagen
Rare Royal Copenhagen Pekingese puppy. Number 448. Measures: Height 14.5 cm. 17 cm. long. Factory first and in excellent condition. Artist Erik Nie...
Category

1920s Danish Art Deco Vintage Porcelain

Early 20 Century French Porcelain Dinnerware, About 208 Pieces Signed H. Loux
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a dining table or shelving with this antique porcelain service set of approximatrly 208 pieces. Crafted in France circa 1930 by Obernai Faïenceries Sarreguemines and signed by renowned artist H. Loux, each plate and dish features delicate foliate and floral motifs, stamped on the underside with "Obernai Faïenceries Sarreguemines, France." This extensive set combines two nearly very similar dining collections, both from the same manufacturer and artist, providing a cohesive and visually stunning display. Perfect for both everyday dining and special occasions, the set captures the charm of Breton life with intricate scenes of people, churches, towns, and countryside, many of which are signed by French painter Henri Loux. The pastel color palette and finely detailed artwork make each piece a work of art. The colorful set has 60 dinner plates, 12 salad plates, 17 soup bowls, 37 tea sauces, 16 dessert plates, 1 condiment server with five individual slots, 31 tea cups, 1 drink pitcher, 2 creamers, 2 coffee or tea pots, 2 sugar bowls, 4 serving bowls, 3 soup tureens with lids, 2 gravy boats with built in saucer, 9 serving plates, 1 cheese tray, 1 cheese server, 6 saucer plates, and 1 hot pad adding to a total of 208 pieces. The dinner ware set...
Category

Early 20th Century French Country Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Fornasetti Theme & Variations Porcelain Plate No. 218 with Original Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine designer porcelain plate. By Fornasetti. From the Theme & Variations series (Tema e Variazioni) Model no. 218. With a depiction of Lina Cavalliere's face behind fruit (inc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

A Pair of 19th C. Meissen Porcelain Blue and White Hide and Seek Centerpieces
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Blue and White Hide and Seek Centerpieces. The baskets are oval with pierced rocaille-style scrollwork along the rim, extending outward at fo...
Category

1880s German Louis XVI Antique Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Unusual Set of 18th Century Blue and White Plates, Platers and Lidded Plates
Located in Epfach, DE
Decorative Set of Blue and White Porcelain Plates, China, 18th Century This striking and unusual set of 19 blue and white porcelain pieces includes plates, platters, and lidded pla...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Porcelain Dinner Service from the Maison Charles Pillivuyt et Cie
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A gorgeous dinner service from the Maison Charles Pillivuyt et Cie, a manufacturer of high-quality porcelain founded in 1818. Each piece is hand-painted with a delicate rose- pink bo...
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Grecian I. Spyropoulos Greek Neoclassical Gilt Porcelain Urn with Figures 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
Grecian I. Spyropoulos Greek Neoclassical Gilt Porcelain Urn with Figures 20thC Measures - 2 3/4" x 6 1/4" x 5 3/4"
Category

20th Century Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Knights Porcelain Dinner Plate by Vito Nesta for Les-Ottomans
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Contemporary dinner plate 'Knights' designed by Vito Nesta for Les-Ottomans, a magical trip in an Ottoman world made of exotic animals and characters such as dancers, soldiers and mu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 12 Estate 1930's English Royal Doulton Porcelain Red & Gold Chargers
Located in New Orleans, LA
Set of 12 Estate English "Royal Doulton" porcelain chargers, made for "Ovington's." Percy Curnock landscape scenes sit at the center of a cranberry red plate with intricate hand-pai...
Category

Early 20th Century English Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Royal Worcester Regency Royal Blue Fine Bone China Set 83 Pieces England
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful elegant set of Royal Worcester fine Bone China in the discontinued "Regency" blue pattern, made in England. This pattern features a cobalt blue border with 24 karat raised gold decoration and trim on a bright white porcelain background with a scalloped edge. Pattern: Regency Blue by Royal Worcester, Status: Discontinued. Gold printed mark underneath "Royal Worcester Fine Bone China England...
Category

Late 20th Century English Regency Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Regency Limoges Swag China - Set of 30
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite 30-piece Limoges china set showcases timeless Regency-era elegance with its delicate floral swag motifs, intricate gold trim, and scalloped edges. The fine porcelain c...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Regency Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Coalport John Rose Pearlware Dessert Service, Orange with Silver Vines, ca 1800
Located in London, GB
This is a stunning and extremely rare dessert service made by John Rose at Coalport probably around the year 1800, shortly after Rose bought up the Caughley factory. It consists of a large centre piece comport, one sauce tureen with cover, two oval dishes, two square dishes, two shell dishes, and eight plates. The service is beautifully decorated in the Neoclassical style. Coalport was one of the leading potters in 19th and 20th Century Staffordshire. They worked alongside other great potters such as Spode, Davenport and Minton, and came out with many innovative designs. When we say "Coalport" we usually think of the one Coalport factory that became famous, but in its beginning years there were two factories, one run by John Rose and the other by his brother Thomas Rose. Thomas Rose went into partnership with Robert Anstice and Robert Horton and they were located directly opposite John Rose, across the canal. John Rose had bought up the local Caughley factory in 1799. The brothers' factories had much in common with each other and they shared many different shapes and patterns. Ultimately, the John Rose factory proved more profitable and John Rose bought Thomas' factory in 1814, making it the one Coalport factory that became so famous. Many of the Coalport items, of either factory, are now collectors' items. This service is made of pearlware, which leads us to believe that it might have been made at the old Caughley premises, which had kilns for pearlware - the later Coalport items are not known to be made of pearlware but the shape of the dishes and the sauce comport are clearly a Coalport shape. All items have a beautiful deep orange ground - they were done in different firings as the colour is not entirely consistent, which makes the service very charming. The rims are set off with a beautiful vine pattern in silver, which makes the service even more rare as this was not done often. The items are unmarked, as is usual for that era, except the odd "B", which is probably the gilder's tally mark. CONDITION REPORT The service is in good usable condition with some minor flaws: there is some crazing and wear throughout, which is to be expected of pearlware of this era. The centre piece comport has a slight crack through the side, which is not very visible. One of the plates has a chip on the front of the rim as well as three lines coming off the rim; one has a chip on the underside of the rim; and one has a line coming off the rim. Neither of these stand out and the plates are entirely stable. Antique British china...
Category

Early 1800s British Neoclassical Antique Porcelain

Materials

Pearlware

Pair of Mid-Century Chinese Famille Rose Hand Painted Porcelain Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
These elegant colorful Famille Rose vases were created in China circa 1950. Standing tall, the large vessels feature a flared rim and tapered body. Each body is adorned with vibrant ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Royal Dux, Rococo Couple in Hand Painted Porcelain, 1940s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Royal Dux. Rococo couple in hand painted porcelain, 1940s. Stamped. In very good condition. The woman measures: 21 x 13 cm. The man measures: 22 x 9 cm.
Category

1940s Czech Rococo Vintage Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Fornasetti Themes & Variations Plate #334, Atelier Fornasetti, The Quiet
Located in Downingtown, PA
Fornasetti Porcelain Themes & Variation plate, #334, The Quiet, Atelier Fornasetti With Original Box. The Fornasetti porcelain plate in the Themes & Variation pattern depicts t...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

French Art Nouveau Enameled Glass Trinket or Jewelry Box by Legras
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful hand decorated, Art Nouveau enameled glass trinket, or jewelry box. This is a gorgeous piece by Legras, makes a lovely gift to oneself or others. Measures: 4 1/8" Diameter x 3 1/4" Height Legras Art Glass...
Category

20th Century French Art Nouveau Porcelain

Materials

Alabaster

Labirinto Nero Set of 2 Espresso Cups with Lids and Saucers
Located in Milan, IT
This stunning set of two espresso cups with lids and saucers is a superb interpretation of a staple in any Italian tableware collection. Crafted...
Category

2010s Italian Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Antique and Vintage Porcelain Dinner Plates, Platters and Serveware for Sale

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.

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