How to Identify Antique and Vintage Ceramics, According to an Expert (2024)

When browsing an antique store, estate sale, or flea market for your next great treasure, it's easy to make a beeline for the well-made furniture, centuries-old textiles, funky retro pieces, or antique art, but there's something else design lovers should keep an eye out for. According to Anthony Barzilay Freund, editorial director at 1stDibs, antique and vintage ceramics are a versatile find that can add major personality to your home.

Barzilay Freund says, “Antique and vintage ceramics create talking points within a room and can be arranged (and endlessly re-arranged!) in compelling ways—on a mantle, tabletop, or shelf—to create tableaus that hold great visual interest.” He adds, “This isn’t the case with larger items like textiles and furniture, but given the price points and sizes of ceramics overall, it’s possible to amass a sizable collection over time.”

Not to mention, antique and vintage ceramics are absolutely beautiful and there are styles for every design aesthetic—from delicate Wedgwood plates to funky textured vases. Barzilay Freund says, “In a world of mass production, antique ceramics evince the human hand and bring warmth, texture, color, and charm to a room.”

If you're out shopping and come across a truly special ceramic piece, it's helpful to be able to know exactly what to look for to determine its provenance and potential value. Here, Barzilay Freund's tips for identifying antique and vintage ceramics.

How to Identify Antique and Vintage Ceramics

While it can be difficult to determine whether your ceramics are antique or vintage (and, yes, there's a difference), Barzilay Freund has established a few ground rules that will help you determine their age, where they come from, and if they're a true investment (or just a piece of beautiful decor).

Observe the markings.

“Check for any markings and do your research, as sometimes, antique ceramics may not have markings yet,” says Barzilay Freund. He recommends looking into as many auction catalogs, books, and exhibits as possible, where you’ll be able to figure out exactly which markings fall under which periods and styles.

Learn about palettes and glazes.

Similarly, palettes and glazes can also give you a pretty good idea about which period the ceramic you’re looking at has come from: For instance, antique Asian ceramics from the Kangxi Dynasty are shiny with an underglaze, while mid-century modern looks have more muted palettes. “These types of glazes are not typically found in newer pieces, so learning about them can help you figure out which era your ceramic is from,” adds Barzilay Freund.

Check out the weight and translucency.

“As a general rule, antique and vintage ceramics are sturdier than newer ones, and much heavier,” says Barzilay Freund. “It would do well for you to check the weights of more modern ceramics and compare them to the vintage option you’re looking to purchase.”

However, this isn’t a hard and fast rule, so Barzilay Freund still recommends looking at markings and styles of a period to figure out whether the piece is truly antique or vintage.

See if there are any handcrafted qualities.

Most modern ceramics are made in factories, so they appear more uniform, while antique or vintage ceramics tend to have an imperfect look from being handmade. Barzilay Freund says, “See if these ceramics have handcrafted qualities, such as uneven sides or differences in painting.” If the ceramics seem too uniform, it’s likely they’ve been created in a factory—and therefore are likely not antique.

Look out for small chips or cracks.

“Are there any missing parts or chipped areas in the ceramics?” asks Barzilay Freund. If so, it might be an older piece. Look for signs of wear and tear, such as scratches, chips, cracks, and discoloration, especially from exposure to the elements.

How to Determine If Your Ceramics Are Valuable

Barzilay Freund says, “There are certain types of ceramics from various centuries that are more valuable than others, and they’re very specific, sought-after categories.” Below are his top antique and vintage ceramics to be aware of the next time you're on the hunt.

British Ceramics: Wedgwood, Derby, Worcester, Chelsea, Cliff

“British ceramics are very different from mainland European ceramics, due to the way in which they were manufactured,” says Barzilay Freund. “These types of ceramics were famous in the 18th and 19th centuries, and categorized by soft, translucent porcelain.”

British factories were privately owned, while many of the most successful manufacturers in Europe were established under royal patronage and run with governmental support. Since shipping was costly, British factories relied heavily on local raw materials to create their wares, resulting in softer porcelain than those produced in other regions of Europe.

Wedgwood ceramics, for instance, are characterized by classical motifs (think: inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman periods), a creamy white glaze, and flowery borders and edges. Derby was the only factory to concentrate on creating sculptures in an unglazed, white ‘biscuit’ porcelain, and often represented contemporary life in 18th-century Britain, with subjects ranging from elegant ladies and gentlemen in courtly dress to shepherds and nuns, according to Barzilay Freund.

Chelsea ceramics had a more whimsical edge, and nature was a dominant theme. For instance, plates were often painted with lifelike fruit and flower designs, reflecting the 18th-century interest in botany that was prevalent around that time. Established in 1751, Worcester ceramics are arguably best known for the blue-and-white-painted and transfer-printed wares produced in the 18th century, while Cliff designs were louder, colorful, and much more exuberant than previous options.

Asian Ceramics: Ming, Song, and Kangxi

“Asian ceramics are delicate and classic,” says Barzilay Freund. Overall, Asian ceramics of that period include intricate, hand-painted designs that tell a story. The Ming ceramics, for instance, are famous for the classic blue and white porcelain that’s traditionally associated with the period. Song ceramics, on the other hand, use subtle, monochrome glazes and free flowing lines, while Kangxi ceramics have an almost iridescent underglaze to them, along with bright, watercolor-like designs.

Art Deco and Art Nouveau Ceramics

“Art Deco ceramics are currently highly collectible, due to their stylized geometric patterns that have a timeless appeal,” says Barzilay Freund. Art Deco is inspired by Asian patterns, but definitely leans more modern than traditional.

“Art Nouveau was all about romance and escapism in the early decades of the 20th century,” adds Barzilay Freund. “They are whimsical and playful, with an almost childlike use of color, rounded shapes, and floral motifs.” These ceramics can be found in innovative shapes (like a vase with a cocooned neck) and often feature decadently flowing lines.

Mid-Century Modern German Ceramics

“Mid-century modern designs include clean lines, like Art Deco, but tend to feature fewer colors and put more emphasis on texture,” says Barzilay Freund. German ceramics from this period, in particular, are vintage gems because they contain a myriad of interesting variations on color, including ombre, striations, and even watercolor.