How to Identify a China Pattern

When you collect antique dishes, it's good to know how to identify a china pattern. The choices of china are so varied and abundant that the hunt for a new pattern is often a thrill. Tracking down a specific piece to complete your china set is fun too.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Antique dishes and other china patterns you want to identify
• China identification book
• Computer with Internet access

1. 
   P.B.R. and Victor china patterns on mugs.

   Turn It Over
   
   First, look at the bottom of the piece of china you want to identify. Often the china is marked with the maker or manufacturer's mark. If the china is marked, read the name or initials.
   
   The cups in the photo are from two manufacturers: P.B.R. and Victor.

2. 
   HALL, Made in U.S.A., 644

   Identify the Mark
   
   The maker of the china pattern in the photo is Hall China, an Ohio manufacturer of dishes, tea pots, restaurant ware, and more. A search online for the manufacturer you get from the bottom of a piece will net the history of the company and facts about their manufacturing process.

3. 
   Dainty saucer with mark on the back that reads Japan Hand Painted with greenery.

   Consult a China Identification Book
   
   If a manufacturer's mark is not on the vintage china piece you want to identify, consult a china identification guidebook. There are many books that contain pieces from just one manufacturer, such as Noritake, Haviland, Lefton, Nippon, Homer Laughlin, Knowles, Taylor Smith, and many more.
   
   There are also books that contain china identification for types of china, such as restaurant ware and American dinnerware.

4. 
   REGO E465-A5 W china dish, as marked on the bottom.

   Go to Replacements
   
   Log on to Replacements LTD. For a direct link to their china identification page, see the Resources section below. If you send a photo to Replacements, they can often help identify your china pattern.
   
   Replacements offers replacement pieces to replace missing pieces from your set.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy mismatched china patterns to hang on your wall. Identify them if you want.

Resources

• Replacements LTD
• English China: Patterns & Pieces: Identification & Values

[veryirie]

on 10/10/2009 I love serving with mismatched pieces of China for an eclectic look. This way I don't have to worry about breaking the dishes and I can afford to pick up a piece or two while at the thrift shop. Helpful info Peggy!

[ScarlettOHairy]

on 6/6/2009 tlfreddy, your bowl sounds lovely. Perhaps contact Replacements to see if you can send photos to them to help you identify the pattern.

[tlfreddy]

on 6/6/2009 I have a piece of china that just says Bavaria on the bottom - no other markings. It is a beautiful bowl - lacy scalloped edges with royal blue background and pink rose in the middle of each scallop and the edge is rimmed in what appears to be gold. is this a fake? I couldn't find how to identify on Replacements, Ltd.

[sonni57]

on 5/6/2009 My sister collects China so I will forward this to her thanks for the good information.