How old is my plate?
How to date a plate or piece of china by its backstamp: «England» and «Made in England», registration numbers, trademarks and modern wording.
The backstamp on the base is a small timeline. A few rules date most British and European china within a few decades.
Useful rules of thumb
«England» on its own: usually after 1891, when US import rules required the country of origin. «Made in England»: generally 20th century. «Bone China» or «Fine Bone China» in the mark: mostly 20th century.
«Royal» in the maker's name: often added late in the 19th century or later — Royal Worcester, Royal Doulton.
Registration numbers («Rd No») were used from 1884; the number gives the earliest date the design was registered.
«Dishwasher safe», «microwave safe»: late 20th century onward.
Maker-specific dating
Royal Worcester and Royal Crown Derby used year codes; Wedgwood used three-letter date codes in the 19th century; Minton used year cyphers. With a clear photo, these can give the exact year.
No mark?
Unmarked pieces are often earlier or cheaper. Shape, decoration and the foot ring still give clues. Upload photos of the front and the base and the AI will estimate the period.
Value your item from a photo
Free, in about a minute: what it is, its period and a realistic price range.
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- How much is my item worth? How to find a realistic price
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- Royal Doulton figurines: which are valuable and how to date them