Bone china is highly regarded as one of the finest types of collectible dishware. Admired by those with discerning taste for both its beauty and surprising durability, these lightweight pieces have come to be associated with royalty and other people of high social standing. Buyers who are interested in purchasing fine English bone china tea sets should follow these guidelines in order to find exactly what they are looking for.
There are several different brands of bone china tea sets available on the market. Each has its own unique styling and signature patterns associated with it, and this is largely a matter of personal preference on the behalf of the one doing the purchasing. Some of these also fall into the vintage or antique category and can be worth considerably more.
The quality of bone china is determined by the percentage of cow bone ash it is composed of. The best quality is that which contains 30 to 45 percent. It differs from ordinary china in that it is fired two times; the first is a standard firing, and the second is with a protective glaze to make it stronger so it is more resistant to breaking and will last for many years. Sometimes flaws occur during this process, and buyers should be mindful of this.
Tea service ensembles can be made to serve anywhere from one to several people and the number of pieces they have is based on this fact. The teapot may hold between one cup and three liters, but the most common size is one or two liters. The number of saucers and teacups varies as does the other pieces belonging to a particular set such as creamer, sugar bowl, and serving plates to name a few.
Whichever color and style the buyer is in search of, chances are there is a tea set to match it. They may buy based on this criteria, or they might want to select one that is a close match to other dishes they own. Both classic, solid designs, and more complex ones can be found, and some which are somewhere in between.
If someone owns an antique set, having it appraised is advisable since this is the only way to get an accurate picture of its value. The number of pieces and their size is a primary factor affecting the price of the set. Sometimes they actually sell for more money on a per item basis than they do as full set, unless that is what the buyer is specifically after.
Sets in excellent condition can be expected to naturally fetch a higher price than those with damage or defects such as discolorations, chips, and cracks. Checking the "backstamp" on every piece will state the name of the manufacturer and possibly the pattern, information which is useful for dating the tea set.
With proper care a bone china tea set can become a family heirloom passed down to future generations. The less the set is handled, the longer it will stand up for in most cases. An enclosed cabinet is the ideal place to store them. They should only be cleaned with mild, soapy water as needed. Gentle handling is key to the longevity of the pieces.
There are several different brands of bone china tea sets available on the market. Each has its own unique styling and signature patterns associated with it, and this is largely a matter of personal preference on the behalf of the one doing the purchasing. Some of these also fall into the vintage or antique category and can be worth considerably more.
The quality of bone china is determined by the percentage of cow bone ash it is composed of. The best quality is that which contains 30 to 45 percent. It differs from ordinary china in that it is fired two times; the first is a standard firing, and the second is with a protective glaze to make it stronger so it is more resistant to breaking and will last for many years. Sometimes flaws occur during this process, and buyers should be mindful of this.
Tea service ensembles can be made to serve anywhere from one to several people and the number of pieces they have is based on this fact. The teapot may hold between one cup and three liters, but the most common size is one or two liters. The number of saucers and teacups varies as does the other pieces belonging to a particular set such as creamer, sugar bowl, and serving plates to name a few.
Whichever color and style the buyer is in search of, chances are there is a tea set to match it. They may buy based on this criteria, or they might want to select one that is a close match to other dishes they own. Both classic, solid designs, and more complex ones can be found, and some which are somewhere in between.
If someone owns an antique set, having it appraised is advisable since this is the only way to get an accurate picture of its value. The number of pieces and their size is a primary factor affecting the price of the set. Sometimes they actually sell for more money on a per item basis than they do as full set, unless that is what the buyer is specifically after.
Sets in excellent condition can be expected to naturally fetch a higher price than those with damage or defects such as discolorations, chips, and cracks. Checking the "backstamp" on every piece will state the name of the manufacturer and possibly the pattern, information which is useful for dating the tea set.
With proper care a bone china tea set can become a family heirloom passed down to future generations. The less the set is handled, the longer it will stand up for in most cases. An enclosed cabinet is the ideal place to store them. They should only be cleaned with mild, soapy water as needed. Gentle handling is key to the longevity of the pieces.
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You can find a detailed summary of the benefits you get when you purchase fine English bone china tea sets online at http://englishchinastore.com right now.
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