Porcelain has been loved for centuries because it is so delicate and exquisite, and because it takes such skill to make it. The exquisite craftsmanship, painted details, and history can make high-quality porcelain art items really priceless today.
Figurines, vases, teacups, and decorative pieces from popular makers can be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Let’s take a look at thirteen common yet valuable porcelain art pieces worth seeking out.
1. Figurines
One of the most valuable and desirable porcelain art items is figurines! These delicate characters have been gracing mantels and curio cabinets for centuries.
From elegant ladies in flowing gowns to playful cherubs and animals, porcelain figurines show it all. But the most sought-after pieces are those that show intricate hand-painted details, gold accents, or depict romantic scenes.
Maker marks are vital to valuing these pieces. Detailed, authentic pieces from popular makers command thousands!
- Pieces to Find: Meissen Harlequin & Columbine pairs, Royal Doulton “The Jester” piece, Lladró “Privilege” pieces, Capodimonte “The Lovers” figurines
2. Vases
After figurines, vases are the most collectible pieces of porcelain art. Most exquisite specimens cost several thousand dollars, particularly those displaying impressive forms and higher-quality hand-decorations.
Valuable pieces abound with rich, deep colors, intricate gilding, and nuanced artwork, such as landscape or figurative scenes.
- Key Examples: Sèvres Pâte-sur-pâte vases, Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica vases, Amphora Art Nouveau vases, Japanese Meiji Satsuma vases
3. Urns (Sets)
These lidded pieces usually have two handles and range from compact 8-inch versions to floor-standing statement pieces. Porcelain urns are valued mainly for their impressive sizes, which is like a huge canvas for art like romantic scenes, religious scenes, or other domestic scenes.
Their value also depends on whether they’re sold as matching pairs. Quality metal mounts like bronze or ormolu fittings indicate high-end original commissions.
You may also find gilded handles shaped like mythological creatures or relief work that mimics ancient cameos.
- Valuable Examples: Sèvres bleu celeste (sky blue) covered urns, Coalport jeweled urns with enamel, Royal Vienna portrait urns, Dresden Helena Wolfsohn urns
4. Plaques
Porcelain plaques are like paintings that last forever. These flat decorative pieces were designed to hang on walls, showcasing everything from portraits and landscapes to religious scenes.
Their worth significantly relies on two aspects: one, the subject of which can go from romantic couples and historical personalities to classical mythological styles. Two, whether hand-painted (worth more) or transfer-printed.
- Notable Examples: KPM Berlin portrait plaques (signed), Limoges Romantic period plaques, Royal Vienna Rembrandt or Rubens painting pieces, Dresden scenic plaques
5. Tureens
Soup tureens are the most functional type of porcelain art. These lidded serving dishes came in endless shapes, from traditional ovals to whimsical forms like cabbages, melons, or even boar’s heads with very fine details.
Examples from renowned porcelain manufacturers, with all parts, like its original cover (lid), underplate, and ladle, are the most desirable ones. A quirky shape or unusual decoration can also turn a $100 tureen into a $1,000 one.
- Valuable Finds: Meissen “Onion Pattern” tureens, Worcester Flight Barr & Barr tureens, Chelsea Red Anchor period tureens, Sèvres gilt bronze tureens
6. Animals & Bird Figurines
Porcelain menageries bring nature indoors with style. These pieces show the sculptor’s skill in showing a realistic essence and movement of the creature.
Collectors hunt for everything from regal German porcelain horses to delicate English bone china birds. Size impacts value less than you’d think; a tiny, perfectly detailed mouse might outprice a large but crudely made dog.
Also, look for lifelike paintings, natural poses, and original labels to spot worth-money pieces.
- Rare Finds: Royal Worcester Dorothy Doughty American bird series, Boehm porcelain bird sculptures, Meissen animal orchestra figurines, Cybis swan and wildlife series
7. Teapots
An ordinary vintage teapot becomes extraordinary when crafted with fine porcelain. Apart from being brewing containers, porcelain teapots exhibit beautiful art on their spouts, handles, and lids.
Teapots in the form of cottages, cars, or characters, and other novelty shapes are very sought after. Make sure to check that lids fit properly and spouts aren’t chipped. Also, sets with matching cups multiply the price.
- Valuable Finds: Wedgwood Jasperware teapots, Meissen floral (crossed swords) teapots, Chinese Export Famille Rose teapots, Royal Worcester blush ivory teapots
8. Busts & Sculptures
Porcelain sculptures are more than just simple figurines; they’re serious, massive art pieces. Classical busts of philosophers, composers, and nobility from the Victorian era are collectors’ favorites, while flowing and dramatic Art Nouveau pieces are also quite valuable.
But note that larger doesn’t always mean more valuable. A small, exquisitely detailed bust can outprice a massive but ordinary piece. Also, signatures or incised marks on the base can boost their value.
- Notable Pieces: Sèvres biscuit porcelain busts of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI, Parian busts of Shakespeare and Queen Victoria, Goldscheider Art Deco lady busts, Royal Dux Art Nouveau female figures
9. Decorative Plates
Instead of dining, these plates were made to be displayed. They were a canvas with artists showcasing their art via hand-painted portraits, game birds, botanical illustrations, and much more.
Plates with pierced edges, gilt decoration, or scenes copied from famous paintings command serious attention.
- Key Examples: Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates (1895-1920), Royal Vienna portrait cabinet plates, Meissen reticulated (pierced) plates, Limoges Coronet hand-painted game bird plates
10. Candleholders
Vintage porcelain candleholders are most sought after as complete matching pairs and, of course, with no damage. Exquisite pieces may also have rich ormolu (gilt-bronze) metal fittings.
Candelabrums with multiple porcelain arms, often with detailed porcelain flowers or figurines in the base, are one of the most valuable varieties. In short, the more complex the design, the better the value of the candleholder.
- Key Pieces: Meissen encrusted cherub candelabra, Dresden applied decoration pieces, Sèvres girandole candleholders, figural candleholders
11. Trinket Boxes
Porcelain trinket boxes were used to keep small valuable items, like jewelry, pills, patches, or simply sat as decorative objects on dressing tables. What makes them collectible is the level of intricacy of decoration against their small size!
Hand-painted scenes (like sculptural elements like lovers), jewel-like enameling, or elaborate gilt work are some features that hint at a really valuable piece.
- Valuable Finds: Limoges Peint Main artist-signed boxes, Meissen 18th-century snuff boxes, Dresden 3D applied boxes, Victorian Staffordshire enamel boxes
12. Lamp or Lamp Bases
If not their full body, vintage lamps used porcelain for their bases, depicting mindblowing art, like flowing maidens, cherubs, and many other organic forms. Retro pieces show variety, like animal-shaped bases and many geometric shapes.
When lit, thin porcelain glows warmly, especially pieces with lithophane panels showing hidden images. Tall, hand-painted urn-shaped bases attract a lot of attention these days.
Many vintage porcelain lamps were porcelain vases converted into lamps.
- Rare Examples: Amphora Art Nouveau maiden lamps, Royal Dux figural lamps, Canton famille rose converted lamps, Sèvres blue-gold converted lamp
13. Teacups
Vintage porcelain teacups are tiny pieces of art that prettily sit on dining tables or in showcases. Most desirable pieces have translucent paper-thin walls, handles shaped like bamboo or flowers, and hand-painted scenes, totally opposite of modern pieces.
The price of such small art objects is determined by the level of detail in the hand-painting, the uniqueness of the design, and if the cup has its original saucer or as part of a set.
- Notable Examples: Meissen (crossed swords) hand-painted & gilt cups, Royal Vienna portrait cups, Sèvres enamel jeweled cups, Dresden cups
Valuable porcelain need not always be scarce; many common items can be worth money if you know how to identify them. By learning about brands and quality markers, you can spot valuable art in your everyday vintage porcelain pieces.