Would you believe me if I said that the old plate gathering dust in your cabinet might be worth thousands? From Chinese imperial porcelain to mid-century designs, such ordinary-looking old plates are fetching extraordinary prices at auctions.
And the best part? Many such valuable plates are still hiding in plain sight in homes just like yours. So, I’ve curated this list of 15 collectible vintage plates that could make you rich without you even knowing it!
What Makes an Old Plate Collectible?
Not all old plates will be worth the same. Some might fetch thousands while others might bring just a few dollars. So, how do you know if a vintage plate is valuable or not? Or what really makes a plate collectible?
- Age (How Old Is It?): Generally, older plates are more valuable, especially those from before the 20th century or from significant historical periods.
- Rarity (How Rare Is It?): Limited editions, discontinued patterns, or plates that survived despite fragility are more valuable.
- Maker/Brand (Who Made It?): Pieces from famous manufacturers like Meissen, Sèvres, or KPM often carry premium values. So, always check the bottom for the mark.
- Condition (What Shape Is It In?): Plates without chips, cracks, crazing, or restoration work fetch higher returns.
- Provenance (Where Has It Been?): Plates owned by significant figures can be more sought-after and valuable.
15 Highly Collectible Vintage Dishes That Could Make You Rich!
Now, let’s take a look at the most valuable and collectible plates that could be hiding in your kitchen!
1. Flora Danica Royal Copenhagen Plate Set
Brand: Royal Copenhagen
Year: 1790-present (earliest most valuable)
Flora Danica is Royal Copenhagen’s earliest (1790-present) and one of the world’s most luxurious porcelain sets. This pattern displays hand-painted botanical illustrations of Danish flora with gold-leaf edging and pierced borders.
Mostly, each piece depicts a specific plant species with all its scientific accuracy. Genuine plates in decent condition can fetch $1,500 – $6,000 per plate. A 16-plate set sold on eBay for $7,210!
2. Pablo Picasso Plate Ceramic Madoura
Brand: Madoura Pottery (designed by Pablo Picasso)
Year: 1947-1971
These abstract antique plates produced by Madoura Pottery (designed by Pablo Picasso) are limited edition ceramic plates that feature Picasso’s distinctive art. The patterns often display bullfighting scenes, faces, owls, or fish.
Each unique design was produced in numbered editions, making them easily identifiable. Authentic plates with rare paintings can fetch $5,000 to $20,000 or more like this example bought on eBay for a whopping $6,500!
3. Ming Dynasty Plates
Brand/Origin: Chinese Imperial Kilns, Ming Dynasty
Year: 1368-1644 (particularly Chenghua period, 1465-1487)
Genuine antique Ming Dynasty plates from the Chenghua period are one of the most collectible plates today. These are generally characterized by delicate, refined porcelain with elaborate underglaze blue decoration.
The “Chicken Cup” design style, which is a bowl-shaped piece, is particularly valuable. As the name says, this pattern has chickens, hens, roosters, and cocks.
You can expect these plates to be valued for a few thousand dollars in excellent condition. I found this 15th-century plate that sold on eBay for almost $1,915 in January 2025.
4. Sèvres Porcelain Plates
Brand: Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Year: 1850-1900
These French plates feature hand-painted central portraits or scenes surrounded by raised gilt ornamentation, often with a distinctive “jeweled” appearance.
While the series comes with a wide range of colors and designs, Sèvres plates with cobalt blue borders (bleu de Sèvres) and artist-signed medallions are some of the finest and most collectible examples.
5. Meissen Blue Onion Plate
Brand: Meissen Porcelain
Year: 1740 (earliest examples)
Meissen’s most popular and collectible series, Blue Onion features the famous cobalt blue underglaze design featuring stylized pomegranates, peaches, and bamboo (not actually onions).
Among these, first-edition Blue Onion plates with the crossed swords mark at the bottom can be highly valuable. For instance, I found this large-size charger plate selling for $2,850 on Etsy.
6. Antique KPM Royal Berlin Cabinet Plate
Brand: Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM Berlin)
Year: 1763-1945 (most valuable from 1830-1900)
KPM Berlin plates are known for their unique designs featuring hand-painted central panels (landscapes, classical scenes, or portraits of noble women) with raised gilt work and neatly pierced borders.
The distinctive scepter mark on the bottom is an indicator of authenticity and high value. Moreover, the signatures of master artists like Wagner and Kühne add more to its rarity and worth. Excellent condition plates can easily sell for $1,000 to $3,000 or more.
7. Wedgwood Blue Jasperware Plate
Brand: Wedgwood
Year: 1775-present (earliest examples most valuable)
Wedgewood made these unique matte blue stoneware plates with white relief decorations featuring neoclassical figures, Greek mythology, and cameo-style portraits, which many collectors look for.
Josiah Wedgwood’s original “Jasper” formula created the iconic look that has been in production for over 240 years. While later productions are worth a few hundred today, authentic 18th-century plates can fetch $1,000-$5,000.
8. Limoges Hand Painted Porcelain Plates
Brand: Various Limoges factories (Haviland, Bernardaud, etc.)
Year: 1840-1930 (peak period)
Limoges plates are fine white porcelain plates from the Limoges region of France featuring delicate hand-painted designs, typically floral patterns, romantic scenes, or game birds. The plates often have scalloped or curved edges with gilded borders and artist signatures.
These collectible plates can easily sell for $1,000 to $5,000 or more in excellent condition.
9. Aynsley Orchard Fruit Gold Center Salad Plate
Brand: Aynsley China
Year: 1930s-1970s
Between the 1930s and 1970s, Aynsley Chine produced unique cream-colored fine bone china plates featuring meticulously hand-painted fruit compositions against golden background and golden trim.
Authentic plates signed by artists D. Jones and N. Brunt can fetch decent prices today, like this set of 2 plates sold for almost $90 on eBay! Large plates can fetch up to $200 or more.
10. Antique 19C Royal Vienna Porcelain Plate With Jewels
Brand: Royal Vienna (Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Wien)
Year: 1800-1864 (authentic); 1880-1920 (revival)
Royal Vienne’s authentic plates from 1800-1864 were royal! These display delicate raised gold work, often featuring central hand-painted portraits of aristocratic women or mythological scenes.
The distinctive “jeweled” enamel borders with raised gold beading and cobalt blue backgrounds add to its high value. Also, true Royal Vienna pieces bear the iconic blue beehive mark.
The value for authentic 19th-century jeweled Royal Vienna plates can fetch $1,500-$10,000. One of them sold on eBay for $2,500!
11. Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Dragon Plate
Brand/Origin: Chinese Imperial Kilns, Qing Dynasty
Year: 1736-1795 (Qianlong Period)
These antique 18th-century plates from the Qianlong Period (1736-1795) feature the iconic blue and white porcelain with intricate dragon motifs, often with imperial yellow backgrounds and reign marks on the bottom.
These plates were created exclusively for the Emperor’s use in the Forbidden City, making this extremely rare. Authentic Qing Dynasty Chinese plates can sell for several thousands today, more if marked.
This one blue and white dragon plate sold for $1,800 on eBay!
12. 1920s Wedgewood Fairyland Porcelain Platter
Brand: Wedgwood
Year: 1915-1929
Wedgewood’s Fairyland luster series was designed by Daisy Makeig-Jones from 1915 to 1929. It displays fantastical fairy scenes, dragons, and exotic landscapes with iridescent metallic glazes and vibrant colors.
Depending on the condition, these antique plates can also fetch up to a few thousand dollars, like the one on Etsy selling for $3,540. Bowls can be quite expensive, too.
13. Royal Worcester Hand-Painted Fruit Cabinet Plate
Brand: Royal Worcester
Year: 1880-1960s (most valuable from 1900-1930)
Royal Worcester’s most valuable ceramics come from 1900 to 1930. One of the highly collectible series from this period is the one featuring exquisite hand-painted fruit compositions on cream or black backgrounds.
Gold stippling and reticulated borders add value. In addition, plates designed and signed by renowned artists like Harry Ayrton and Richard Sebright can be highly valuable.
One such plate signed by R. Sebright sold for $895 on eBay.
14. Vintage Palissy Ware Plate
Brand: Bernard Palissy (French Renaissance)
Year: 16th century (circa 1510-1590)
Palissy ware plates bring paintings and patterns to life! Bernard Palissy’s (French Renaissance) earthenware plates display distinctive polychrome lead-glazed patterns featuring three-dimensional reptiles, fish, shells, and plants.
What makes these plates collectible is that the patterns are reportedly created using direct casting from natural specimens. Authenticated pieces can fetch up to a few thousand dollars. A 1905 plate is sold for $1,390 on Etsy. Other rare examples can fetch up to $5,000 or more.
15. Blue Willow Pattern Plates
Brand: Various (originated by Thomas Minton, produced by Spode, Wedgwood, Churchill, etc.)
Year: 1790-present (earliest examples most valuable)
Originated by Thomas Minton in the 1790s, Blue Willow is an iconic blue and white transfer-printed design showing a landscape with a bridge, pagoda, willow trees, and flying birds. The pattern tells the story of two star-crossed lovers.
Original 18th-century Minton or Spode Blue Willow plates are highly collectible, reaching thousands. 19th-century examples from quality makers also hold a high value of up to a few hundred dollars.
