Back in the early 1970s, there was a small revolution in Decorative Plates. Now, in 2007, these plates are increasing in value. An obvious reason for some of the upsurge is some of their compositions being silver and gold. Rare metal prices have been steadily on the rise since January of 2000.

Buying Decorative Plates
You can hunt for good buys from car boot yard sales, private sales, or even on EBay, where good deals can be found on decorative plates. Any decorative plate collection without its original box and paperwork and will be devalued in the eyes of the collector. As a buyer, you must be prepared with some plate knowledge. Moreover, as a seller remember to keep the box and paperwork, along with the plate's current value, all together. If something should befall you, a relative could sell it for the right price. Fortunately, these opportunities arise quite often if you keep your eyes open.

As with anything the rules of supply and demand apply. A collector plate's real rarity lies in a small issue number. The rule of thumb for rare plate issues is, as far as numbers are concerned:
  • 5 to 10 thousand are high demand to semi-rare.
  • 1 to 5 thousand issues are semi-rare to rare.
  • Under 1000 are considered rare to very rare.
  • Issues less than 500 plates are highly sought after.
There are exceptions to this rule. The important thing to remember is "mint condition" means all paperwork, presentation box, and of course the plate itself, must be as it was when sent from the factory to the buyer. The plate could have a loss as high as twenty-five percent without the original box and paperwork. Know what you are selling and buying. A pricing guide is a worthwhile investment. Search for the best areas in getting the best deal on the collection in which you might want to invest. EBay could be a good source of buying quickly and easily, and you can sometimes find a bargain. The downside is that a lot of other people know this and they are going to be competing against you. Take it slowly and don't get sucked into the bidding war. Don't pay more than you want to spend as that means a lower return on your money.

Ornaments
Flatback figures, as they are known, were made without decoration on the back, as they were usually placed against chimneybreast in Victorian houses, to add colour. Underglaze cobalt blue was discovered in about 1830. Before this discovery, there were no colours that could stand the high temperatures of the glazing kilns. Prior to this discovery, only overglaze enamel colours, applied after glazing, were used on figures, a method that was to continue alongside the use of cobalt blue. Cobalt blue indicates the period 1840-1865. After 1865, overglaze enamels were used exclusively. By the 1870s, most figures were produced in white, and a less expensive form of gilding was introduced, which was painted on after firing, hence a far cheaper production method. The gilding used is also a good guide to dating; the early form of gilding is called "best gold", a softly coloured gold, applied at the same time as the overglaze enamels; later gilding, "bright gold", is harsher and shinier.

Middle class Victorians loved clutter. Flatback figures crowned their fireplace mantels; transferware dishes lined plate racks and sideboards in their large dining rooms. On every table stood figures, animals, vases, and other ornaments produced in the thousands by the Staffordshire potteries. A combination of the right clays, inventive potters such as Josiah Wedgwood and available labour, made the Staffordshire district the centre of the china industry. Many small forgotten factories as well as the giants such as Spode, Wedgwood, Adams, clustered in the towns of Burslem, Cobridge, Fenton, Longton, Stoke and Tunstall, now incorporated in present day Stoke-on-Trent. Most Staffordshire models of animals and historical figures are the work of the 19th century craftsmen; earlier 18th century examples by Ralph Wood, father and son, Whieldon and Pratt are scarce and costly. The earliest figures, now known as Astbury or Whieldon are more correctly salt glaze figures. While not nearly as attractive as later models, these primitive examples can sell for many hundreds of pounds.

England's Industrial Revolution coincided with the start of Queen Victoria's reign in 1837, creating wealth from industry. The new middle classes were eager to emulate their betters by decorating their homes with objects similar to costly Meissen and Chelsea figures, and Staffordshire potters obliged by turning out painted and glazed pottery sheep dogs, cattle and more exotic animals such as zebra and elephants. Figures of gods and goddesses, famous political and military men and above all, royalty, found homes in England and America. Popular characters from literature (e.g. Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet) were identified on the base, as were political figures of the day. The popularity of Queen Victoria spawned numerous examples of the Queen and Prince Albert and all their family. Princes and Princesses were shown on horses and on goats or rams. Few figures bear maker's marks, although some experts can identify similarities of style that might come from an individual factory (for example, the style of the base). Potters copied figures and even produced variants of the same figure. Small factories frequently went out of business and sold their moulds along with the remaining stock. Most of the moulds of the nineteenth century historical and political figures were not produced in later years, so examples are likely to be old and more costly. If interested in collecting these charming pieces, buy from a reputable dealer or study a number of examples before parting with cash. Animals, particularly the popular King Charles spaniel dogs, sometimes called "comforters" are the most often seen. Just be aware of what you are buying.

GENUINE
Genuine items display the following features:
  • Crisp modelling of figures.
  • Detailed painting.
  • Colourful decoration.
  • Finger marks inside - from press moulding.
  • Thick heavy walls.
  • Uneven widely spaced cracking in the glaze.
  • Soft coloured gilding (look on the base for gold line decoration).
  • Kiln grit and glaze on the base of the model.
FAKE OR REPRODUCTION
These display the following:
  • Poor and flat definition.
  • Lack of detail.
  • Not a lot of colour or completely coloured.
  • Smooth inside - from slip casting.
  • Thin walls giving a light feel in weight.
  • False cracking in the glaze, uniform in shape.
  • Bright shiny gilding.
  • Rough unglazed base.
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06 January 2009
PRINKNASH POTTERY VASE..
Hand painted with delicate white flowers on black background on the lower half and best 24carat gold painted top half. 3inches/8cm high. from the well-known dorset pottery, this delightful little vase could make the ideal gift. boxed with original label. (price includ. .
£12
MK1
02 January 2009
royal doulton figurines..
I have for sale 4 royal doulton bunnykins figurines. winterlapland - boxed with certificate slight chip on the ear christmas morning - no box or certificate but mint condition congratulations - boxed and certificate mint condition birthday girl - boxed and certific. .
£150
ST7
royal doulton figurines..
Hi i have for sale 3 classic winnie the pooh figurines the most perfect tree in the world christopher robin dresses the tree happy christmas tigger all of the ornaments are in mint condition with box and certificate. .
£100
ST7
leonardo collection..
Hi i have for sale a silver plated first tooth first curl box comes in presentation box never been used. great christening present or baby gift. .
£20
ST7
16 December 2008
lladro nao spaniel pups..
Unboxed,well looked after.
£30
BT38
14 November 2008
victorian cut glass plus other collectables..
Victorian cut glass cake stand beautiful cut no damage excellent condition £60 ono also victorian cut glass suger bowl beautiful condition £50 ono collectors tea pot cat titled the precious cat of kiangsi by jui guoliang blue and white chinese pattern wit. .
WF7
12 October 2008
www.monstersales.co.uk -Online Shopping Mall - Gif..
gives you the ultimate online shopping experience with our gift selection offering you thousands of products at bargain prices. with our unique selection of products and quality services, we have gained a reputation for offering unbeatable prices on branded items as . .
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