How do you identify vintage ceramics?

A few factors to look out for when figuring out how to identify antique pottery are the weight of the piece, its translucency or resonance. Its easier to figure out the body if the piece is chipped - simply run your finger along the fracture to identify how hard the grain is.

How can I tell if something is antique?

- Generally speaking, square nails and worm holes together in a piece of furniture would indicate an antique. But somebody could build a new piece with old nails, or use old wood with new nails, so look carefully.

Is all china marked?

Most fine china features an identification mark that helps to identify the manufacturer of the piece. Knowing this information is important for identifying the pattern. In many cases, there may be more than one stamp on an item, sometimes indicating where the piece was manufactured and where it was painted and glazed.

How can you tell if something is antique or worth?

The Five Signs of a Valuable AntiqueRarity. What constitutes a rarity? Aesthetics. You may look at a piece, and think “If only that orange line werent painted down the middle of it . . .” or, “If only that carving werent slightly off-center. Desirability. Authenticity. Really great condition.