Antiques from Turtle Rock ~ store, weekly ebay auctions, me ~ your invitation!

Antique China is like most beautiful things, it brings you joy in sharing it. The purpose is to create a beautiful atmosphere and make wonderful memories. Breaking china shouldn't be part of the those memories.

Easy Care for Using & Storing Antique China:

 Accidents occur the most often to teacups, saucers, lids, sugar & creamer and then to plates. Damage most likely to occur while seated away from the table or while washing & drying.

1. Hand wash your china. Never use the dishwasher. Avoid the heart ache.
2. Do not soak your dishes in water! It loosens the gold  (every time) and it loosens the paint. Never use an abrasive sponge or scrubbie on the china. Antique China shows wear because someone has scrubbed it with an abrasive, particularly the beautiful gold. Most Haviland china is decorated on top of the glaze. Only feu de four or bleu de four has art under the glaze. It is also equally important not to soak the china; especially the china with gold, do not allow it to sit in water. The best method for cleaning is the same for antique china or antique silver.
3. If your china has been used with lemons, butter, mayonaisse, foods with a lot of vinegar (& cheese, but not for acidic reasons), the acidic nature of the these foods will eat into the gold and then the paint. Wash pretty quickly.
4. Shower your plate in your hands, do not brace the plate in the sink, use your hand and then a non-abrasive sponge. Avoid abrasives! Dry with a fluffy large towel. (This isn't hard work, 8 place settings of china can be washed in less than 20 minutes! This is less than prewashing, loading it in the dishwasher, allowing time for the dishwasher to run and then unloading it!)
5. Use the china while seated at the table as much as possible. Tea cups, saucers, cream & sugars are frequently the most difficult to find of an antique china collection because they are carried about.
6. During a party: Do not allow the plate stacks to be too high on the counters between courses. Plates have a way of sliding off the other and landing on the floor. The silverware between the plates creates a leaning tower (this happened to me at a Christmas party).
7. Lids: Look great placed next to the serving dish, but lids get dropped.  If you are using a tureen, a sugar dish or a covered mustard, just use the lid as decorative. In a buffet, place the lid behind the dish. Even place an extra serving piece resting on the lid. When pouring from a tea or coffee pot, place a finger or hand on the lid. When passing the dishes, family style, remove the covers from the table.
8. Storage: Tea cups can be placed in shoe-sized Rubbermaid containers with tissue paper in between. This really is a space saver and space creator. The saucer and all sized plates are usually fine stacked. If you have a lot of old, delicate detail, you might want to place the heavier, thicker paper dinner napkins between or flat white packing foam. This prevents the rims of the plates rubbing on the plate below them.
9. Give your friends ( & friendships) an evening out, well-meaning friends frequently are visiting while the cleaning is being done & this is when the accident occurs. (This has happened to me, too.)
10. If you have extra help during a party from a caterer, make sure you all are clear that the china isn't going in the dishwasher.

Email is a wonderful thing, I am happy to answer questions about items in my shop! Unfortunately, due to time constraints and because china must be held to be identified and appraised, I refer people to the larger china shops with a staff for identification and appraisal.

THANK YOU FOR LOOKING! If you found this guide to be helpful, please take the time to vote. See my store,  weekly ebay auctions, and good feedback!