China Patterns: The Rare & Valuable

Hello Lovely Peonies.

Which china patterns are rare?

Which are popular?

Which are overdone?

And how do I know if a pattern is valuable?

My e-mail has been flooded with these kind of questions lately as well as requests for plate identification help (see this post on ID and this post for determining value). I'm so glad y'all love antique plates and china patterns as much as I do! From creating a beautiful place setting on the table to hanging plates on walls, I think antique dish patterns are a decorative powerhouse that give such a wonderful glimpse into the past.

Today, I wanted to share a straight forward listing of what's rare and valuable (I'll return to what's popular and overdone in another post). To arrive at this list, I've analyzed auction records over the past 5 years for dinner services and looked at various arbiter of taste listings from Veranda to Martha Stewart as well as Replacements. I'm also taking into account what I've seen in my 15+ years working in art museums, the auction industry, and buying and selling antique dishes.

This is by no means an exhaustive list 50+. There is an endless number of china patterns, and certainly the personal meaning of heirloom dishes cannot be monetized. I have tried to mainly focus on fine dinnerware, what most people call china, but you will note a few stoneware and earthenware inclusions where those patterns match valuations or the popularity of fine china.

The 50 most rare and valuable china patterns - collage post banner

Rare & Valuable China Patterns

The patterns are organized by maker. Click on the box with the plus sign to expand the content.

For some of the most valuable patterns I've included a bit of history and why it is so highly valued as well as pricing information.

Your on the hunt resource to the chic antiques Grandmillennials adore!

If you’ve ever experienced the thrill of finding that “unicorn” antique piece after years of hunting, then you know there is no other high like it. The excitement and triumph you feel is obsession inducing!

But out there in the wild of thrift stores, estate sales, auction floors, and yard sales there are some very trying questions to be wrangled, like…

Is this priced too high?

Is it authentic?

Is it in good condition?

Is this the right one?

Sure you can do a Google image search for some quick answers, but how do you know if the AI is right? Often it's not! Instead turn to The Grandmillennial’s Pocket Guide to Chic Antiques for answers!

4 Comments

  1. Lydia Jordan on June 6, 2025 at 3:00 am

    This deep dive into rare china patterns is a collector’s dream, this post is so informative and beautifully presented. I especially appreciated learning about the history behind each design.

    • Katherine on June 20, 2025 at 7:05 am

      Thanks Lydia! Glad you found if informative.

  2. loretta on July 9, 2025 at 4:54 am

    Nicely presented Katherine! An easy read and I gained lots of new information, from a fellow enthusiast. Thank you for sharing.

    • Katherine on July 16, 2025 at 7:14 am

      Absolutely! I’m so glad you learned something new!

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