News & Trending Money News

14 China Patterns That Are Worth a Small Fortune (And How to Spot Them)

If your China has a bold or popular design, there may be some money to be made.

mature family couple choosing vintage dishes on street market
Updated Sept. 11, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Did you know that the china gathering dust in your cabinets and hidden away in your attic could just make you a pretty penny?

Like other collectibles, there are rare and discontinued patterns, specific details, and colors that could make you some money off of your old dinnerware.

This year, you could earn extra money by identifying and selling any of your china with these 14 patterns.

Earn money online by taking surveys

$55,000 might sound crazy … but with a company called Survey Junkie, it’s possible to get your share of it every day by taking their surveys in your extra time.

Follow these simple steps to start earning:

  1. Sign up for an account with Survey Junkie here.
  2. Take surveys.
  3. Repeat daily and get paid for sharing your opinion!

P.S.: You can cash out with as little as $5 through PayPal or bank transfer, or transfer to gift cards from a number of stores.

Get your share of $55,000 daily by signing up here

Tiffany Le Tallec Cirque Chinois

silkar-64/Courtesy of eBay tiffany le tallec cirque chinois

Tiffany’s “Cirque Chinois” design is particularly striking, with the brightly colored dragons, structures, greenery, and people it depicts. This design was in production from 1906 until 1991. The rarity of each piece makes them a high-ticket item. 

Single dinner plates from this line are valued at $1,600. A couple of three-piece tea sets are currently listed for $8,250.

Bernardaud Limoges Chenonceaux Cobalt

officerco/Courtesy of eBay bernardaud limoges chenonceaux cobalt

Bernardaud Limoges Chenonceaux Cobalt dinnerware is gorgeous. If you can get your hands on a dinner plate, it could be worth around $1,600.

A set of three teacups and saucers – particularly striking for how they meet in the middle with white porcelain – goes for around $1,050.

Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted

Courtesy of Royal Copenhagen royal copenhagen blue fluted

In 1775, the Blue Fluted Plain pattern was created as the first ever from storied dinnerware brand Royal Copenhagen. Meticulously hand-painted, the design was revised in 1885 to what it is today.

You can find various Blue Fluted pieces for thousands of dollars on eBay. The highest listed? A Blue Fluted Full Lace Large Vase for $11,476.

Stop overpaying when you shop online

Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.

Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.

Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!1

Get Capital One Shopping now

Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica

Courtesy of Royal Copenhagen royal copenhagen flora danica

Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica can get you quite a nice sum if you have any of this delicate, enchanting design lying around. Each flower is inspired by the same copper print from the 1790s.

The first collection in this design has been passed down from generation to generation in the Royal family. A single dinner plate in this pattern could get you $1,300.

Wedgwood Countryware

Captain Backdraft/Courtesy of eBay wedgwood countryware

While Wedgwood Countryware has been replicated numerous times, this particular china pattern was discontinued in 2006. Featuring a raised cabbage leaf border, you can find sets on eBay for around $250 and a Lidded Soup Tureen for $350 before shipping.

Look for the Maker’s Mark or date marks to confirm authenticity.

Wedgwood Nantucket Basket

Courtesy of Wedgwood wedgwood nantucket basket

The Wedgwood Nantucket Basket pattern follows the Countryware pattern in popularity and is still in circulation. This all-white design features a subtle perforation in the shape of a traditional basket weave.

You can replace your accent luncheon plate for $199.95 and list yours for similar prices on eBay.

Hermes Le Jardin de Pythagore

doru.vivi/Courtesy of eBay hermes le jardin de pythagore

Like everything Hermes, the Le Jardin de Pythagore is a popular, high-priced plate design featuring red fruits and greenery.

A single plate is valued quite nicely at $1,000, and large dishes are currently going for upwards of $1,300 on eBay.

Tiffany Holiday

szgnkg/Courtesy of eBay tiffany holiday

The Holiday collection by Tiffany is season-specific, covered in mistletoe and red bows. The edges of the vintage dinnerware are scalloped.

A single dinner plate is currently valued at $700 and a cake stand is going for $1,200.

Herend

Bohemian Crystal and China Gift/Courtesy of eBay herend

The majority of patterns that Herend releases sell well. Their signature designs feature delicate floral patterns. 

While the pieces are worth a nice chunk of money – a platter can commonly get you around $200 – the big collections could earn you a small fortune.

There’s currently a 564-piece dinnerware set listed for $117,000 on eBay.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

Blue Italian

Raccoon Vision/Courtesy of eBay blue italian

While you may not rake in thousands for china in the iconic Blue Italian pattern, you’ve probably encountered pieces with this design on them.

White china with layers of detailed blue depicts scenes of Italy, a quaint and beautiful pattern for afternoon tea. In production since 1816, it has maintained popularity among collectors for decades.

Rosenthal Magic Flute Gold

Courtesy of Rosenthal Sambonet USA Ltd. rosenthal magic flue gold

Rosenthal created the physical manifestation of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” opera with wide gold-detailed plate rims and layers to the dinnerware depicting detailed plants, figures, and more.

The 11.5-inch Rosenthal Zauberflöte Sarastro Showplate retails for $1,485. List a dinner plate like this, and you could get over $700.

Spode Stafford White

Replacements Ltd/Courtesy of eBay spode stafford white

Spode Stafford White was in production from 1989 to 2015. With a 22-carat gold design along the edge of the dinnerware, these gorgeous white china pieces can be quite valuable.

If you can get your hands on a plate, it could earn you $650 on the resale market.

Meissen Dragon Brown

D-selects/Courtesy of eBay meissen dragon brown

Meissen has always favored dragons in its designs. The Meissen Dragon Brown design features a dragon at the center surrounded by details in the same rich, red-leaning brown.

If you can get your hands on a dinner plate, you could earn an extra $600. One is currently listed for $999.

Bottom line

Pixel-Shot/Adobe  man with purse and money

Unlike other collectibles, a china pattern will rarely multiply in worth as it ages. So, if you’re hanging onto something hoping it will gain in value, now may be the time to make extra money on the side and sell it.

Keep your eyes peeled for discontinued patterns, however, as those have been known to make the most money.

Inbox Dollars Benefits

  • Get a $5 bonus when you register with your email
  • You could earn money by taking surveys or making online searches
  • Over $80 million paid to members so far - how much can you earn?