Got a set of vintage floral plates gathering dust in your cabinets? Well, take it out now because this could be your ticket to earning some big bucks! Needless to say, antique plates are one of the most collectible kitchenware today.
And among the wide range of plates, floral plates attract the most eyes. So, I’m going to show you the 13 most valuable and rare vintage floral plates worth money! In the end, you’ll also get quick tips to find out what makes floral dishes valuable and how you can spot them!
13 Collectible Vintage Floral Plates You Need to Find!
From Meissen to Wedgwood to Limoges makers, every ceramic or porcelain, or china manufacturer made floral plates. Some of these plates are so collectible today that collectors can pay hundreds or even thousands for them!
1. Royal Worcester Flight Barr & Barr Floral Plates
These unique plates from Flight Barr & Barr display a clean and elegant single hand-painted single flower motif inspired by real botanical specimens on a white background. What makes the plates more unique is their luxurious green and gilt border with beaded edge!
The value of these unique handpainted vintage floral plates can range from $50-$100 per piece. Small dinner plate sets, like the one shown above, can fetch $200-$500, while larger sets are even more valuable.
2. Heinrich & Co. Gold-Encrusted Porcelain Plates
This stunning porcelain plate from Heinrich & Co. features a vibrant, intricate, and dense floral arrangement at the center with a gold-encrusted border. The golden border also features soft scroll designs all over. The bottom is stamped with the “H&Co.” stamp that authenticates the piece.
These unique and rare plates can fetch $50-$150 per plate, based on condition. Full dinner plate sets typically range from $200-$450, while full dinnerware sets can be worth even more.
3. Royal Albert “Old Country Roses” Plate
The “Old Country Rose” is a globally recognized pattern from the Royal Albert company, started in 1962, and is still produced! It features a vibrant and romantic design of deep red, pink, and yellow full-bloom roses, often with lush green foliage.
The plates have slightly wavy edges, typically finished with a rich 22-karat gold trim, adding to the luxurious appeal and value. Early pieces, especially those marked “Royal Albert Bone China England,” are particularly sought after, fetching.
Single Old Country Rose plates can fetch $25–$75 per plate (up to $150 for 1960s-1980s examples) and up to $200-$300 for sets.
4. Meissen “Red Rose” Plates
Meissen’s Red Rose plates showcase intricately hand-painted designs of vibrant red roses at the center and the border with delicate shading and ornate details in the leaves and stems. The plates typically bear Meissen’s famous crossed swords mark, authenticating the origin.
Authentic Meissen Red Rose plates can fetch $100–$500 per plate and $1,000 or more for sets.
5. Limoges “Coronet Floral” Plates
These Limogese floral plates feature realistic hand-painted floral paintings (of different styles and types of flowers, with roses and wildflowers being common) on a colored background. The “Coronet” refers to the mark, often featuring a crown, which was used by various decorating ateliers in Limoges.
The presence of an artist’s signature can significantly enhance a Coronet floral plate’s value, often reaching $80–$400 per plate and $500 to $1,000+ per set.
6. Coalport “Junetime” Floral Plates
“Junetime” by Coalport presents bright and intricate floral arrangements, often featuring a variety of vibrant garden flowers on a white background. The pieces are often finished with elegant gilt edges, enhancing their luxurious look and value.
Today, single vintage Junetime floral plates can be valued at $40–$60, while sets can fetch $80 to $200 or more, depending on the number of plates or items.
7. Wedgwood “Wild Strawberry” Plates
Popular from 1964 to the present, Wedwood’s Wild Strawberry plates feature an elegant and naturalistic floral pattern of wild strawberries (ripe red berries), green leaves, and vine trailing. The design is made with soft, understated colors, giving it a fresh look.
Wedgwood “Wild Strawberry” plates are affordable, ranging from $15 to $40+ per plate. Complete plate sets or large sets including other dinnerware items such as soup bowls, cups, saucers, etc., can fetch $150 to $500.
8. Aynsley “Cottage Garden” Plates
Aynsley’s “Cottage Garden” line was produced in the mid-20th century and has been produced for many years. These plates display a floral arrangement of various garden flowers, such as roses, pansies, forget-me-nots, and other typical cottage garden blooms, in an abstract and abundant style.
Today, these vintage floral plates can fetch $20 to $50+ per plate, depending on size and condition. Sets and serving pieces can be worth $80-$200 or more.
9. Haviland Limoges “Schleiger Patterns” Plate
The “Schleiger Patterns” is a line produced by Haviland & Co. in Limoges, cataloging a vast array of patterns of highly detailed, hand-painted floral designs. The different designs in this series vary in the types of flowers, arrangements, and border treatments.
For instance, Schleiger 26 typically displays delicate, hand-painted pink roses, often with subtle shading and detailed petals. The roses are arranged in small clusters or garlands, along with soft green leaves and slender stems.
Haviland Schleiger plates, especially from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, can range from $40 to $150+ per plate. Rarer or more intricate floral Schleiger patterns can fetch even higher prices.
Collector’s Tip: To identify your specific pattern, you may need to refer to the Haviland China reference book!
10. Shelley “Dainty Blue Floral” Plates
Shelley’s Dainty Blue Floral plates feature beautiful and intricate small blue flowers, often forget-me-nots or similar blossoms, scattered or arranged in graceful sprays on the edges. The “Dainty” shape includes scalloped edges and a slightly fluted surface.
The company produced Chinaware roughly from 1896 to 1966. To date your piece, find the brand mark at the bottom.
Today, the value of Shelley Dainty Blue plates can range from $30 to $80+, with rarer shapes or exceptionally decorated pieces and large sets commanding higher values of up to $150 or more.
11. Johnson Brothers “Rose Chintz” Plate
Introduced in the mid-20th century, the “Rose Chintz” is one of the most iconic patterns from the English earthenware manufacturer, Johnson Brothers. It displays an all-over design of small, dense pink roses with warm green foliage, creating a characteristic “chintz” effect.
The plates generally have wavy or soft-scalloped edges.
The value of single Rose Chintz floral plates can range from $30–$60 per plate, while small sets of plates can fetch $70-$90. Complete dinnerware sets of 30+ pieces can fetch $200-$700 or more, like this 90-piece set sold for almost $700 on eBay!
12. Noritake “Azalea” Floral Plate
Azalea is one of Noritake’s highly popular patterns, commenced in the mid-20th century. An Azalea plate typically features stylized pink and white azalea flowers with soft, light green leaves and foliage along with a gold rim or accents.
Single Noritake “Azalea” plates usually fetch $15 to $40+, while sets can range from $50 to $100, depending on the number of plates. Complete sets can be worth even more.
13. Royal Doulton “English Rose” Plates
Royal Doulton’s “English Rose” plates display beautiful rose motifs, often in shades of pink and red, along with light and dark green foliage arranged around the edge. The bottom of the plates is generally empty, but the style can vary slightly depending on the specific production period. The traditional English garden aesthetic is constant.
Single vintage English Rose floral plates can easily fetch $20 to $50+, depending on the size and condition. Full dinner plate sets or dinnerware sets can fetch hundreds.
What Makes Vintage Floral Plates Valuable? (5 Key Signs)
Floral designs have been common on dinnerware for a very long time. But not all floral plates are worth the same today. So, what really makes a vintage floral plate valuable? Let’s find out!
Condition & Completeness
The first and most impact factor that influences the worth of an antique floral plate is its condition. Naturally, plates free from cracks, chips, crazing (fine lines in the glaze), or fading of the painting bring the highest premiums.
Based on the items sold in past auctions, slight wear, such as light scratches, loss of gilding, and yellowing, are signs of aging and are acceptable. But serious damage will surely detract from the value.
The completeness of the sets is another important indicator of worth. Generally, collectors prefer full dinner plate sets of 4,6,12, or more items. Larger dinnerware sets, including floral plates and matching items like serveware, tea cups, bowls, etc., fetch even higher returns.
However, even single plates can fetch hundreds if they feature an extremely rare design and are in excellent condition!
Rarity and Scarcity
The first factor that determines whether an antique floral plate will be worth money or not is rarity! The rarer the plate, the higher its value. Now, the rarity can depend on certain aspects, like:
- Limited Edition Patterns: Plates produced in small quantities or for a limited period are considered “limited edition” and are more valuable. This could include short-lived patterns, special commemorative editions, commissioned patterns, etc.
- Discontinued Patterns: Once a pattern is no longer produced, its existing examples become rare. Highly sought-after discontinued patterns are generally more desirable.
- Production Mistakes: Minor production errors (if known and documented) can sometimes impact the value of vintage floral plates.
The Type of Design (Handmade Vs. Machine-Print)
Generally, authentic antique floral plates with realistic hand-painted designs fetch higher returns due to their artistry, rarity, and genuineness. On the other hand, machine-printed floral plates are mass-produced and, hence, aren’t worth much today.
You can easily spot genuine hand-painted floral plates by spotting the following signs:
- Visible brush strokes or slight imperfections in the designs
- Uneven or raised texture on the painted motifs
- Slight variations in the depth of color in the design elements
- Softness or fluidity in the edges of painted lines or designs (unlike hard & sharp edges)
If you find all the features on an old floral plate, it’s most likely hand-painted.
Artistry and Design
The level of artistry displayed on a floral plate significantly impacts its value. Generally, floral plates with detailed and complex hand-painting of lifelike flowers in vibrant colors are more desirable and valuable.
Similarly, specialized techniques, such as enamel work, gild work, gold encrustation, or detailed lithography, also increase the worth and collectibility of old floral plates.
Lastly, plates featuring distinctive patterns, innovative for their time (deviating from conventional floral designs common for that period), or indicating a departure from an existing floral design are generally more collectible.
Maker’s Marks & Signs
Generally, vintage floral plates with maker’s marks on the bottom are considered authentic and, hence, more valuable. Look for brand names, logos, and specific symbols (like Meissen’s sword mark).
Besides, authentic hand-painted floral plates may also bear artists’ signatures, making them considerably more valuable. To find out the exact value, you can research the artist’s reputation and work and compare prices via past auctions!
