Antique Dinner Sets

A service is valued for something antiques rarely have: completeness. A set that has survived intact is uncommon, and the difference in price between a full and a broken-up set is always noticeable.

The first thing to read in a listing is therefore the number of pieces and the exact composition: how many cups, how many saucers, whether the pot, sugar bowl and milk jug are present. The second is whether every piece is from the same production run — in made-up sets the shade of white and the pattern differ slightly, and this shows in a group photograph.

Soviet, German and Czech porcelain are the most common. The mark on the base identifies both factory and period, and from it you can search for missing pieces.

Sellers photograph the service assembled and piece by piece. If you need a shot of a particular item or of the mark, simply ask.