10 Vintage China Sets Worth Thousands

Written by Rachel Schneider on
A wooden shelf displaying fine china with a floral pattern. The set includes plates, bowls, and a teapot adorned with pink roses and gold accents.
AlexKane/istockphoto

There’s something undeniably enchanting about vintage china. Whether it’s the delicate hand-painted details, the gleam of gilded edges, or the history behind each piece, these sets are more than just tableware — they’re works of art. And for collectors, some of these treasures come with impressive price tags. Here are some of the priciest we could find.

1. Royal Copenhagen ‘Flora Danica’ Dinner Service

A collection of porcelain dishes, each with botanical illustrations of green plants. The set includes plates, cups, and serving pieces, all bordered with decorative gold trim, displayed against a black background.
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Echoes Antiques & Auction Gallery, Inc.
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Echoes Antiques & Auction Gallery, Inc.

Sold for: $7,500

Dainty, delicate flowers and foliage adorn this porcelain china set, which includes eight dinner plates, six luncheon plates, cups and saucers, and serving dishes.

2. Cartier ‘La Maison du Prince’ China Service

A porcelain tea set with a floral pattern and gold rim is displayed. The set includes teacups with saucers, a teapot, a sugar bowl, a creamer, and multiple plates, all arranged neatly on a white surface.
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Stefek’s Auctioneers & Appraisers
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Stefek's Auctioneers & Appraisers

Sold for: $6,000

Unsurprisingly, a china set backed by the Cartier name is worth thousands. This set, with its detailed designs, includes everything from plates to teapots.

3. Set of Meissen Porcelain China

A set of white ceramic plates and bowls with gold-trimmed edges and intricate paintings of birds and scenery. The set includes dinner plates, smaller plates, bowls, and a cup, all arranged neatly against a plain background.
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Fairfield Auction
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Fairfield Auction

Sold for: $6,000

From chickens to geese, this gilded-bordered china set showcases several birds throughout its 67-piece collection, which includes everything from salad plates to soup bowls.

4. Banquet Size Royal Copenhagen China Set

Shelves display a collection of white porcelain dishes with blue floral designs. Visible items include plates, bowls, mugs, a pitcher, and a lidded tureen, all stacked neatly.
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Peachtree & Bennett
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Peachtree & Bennett

Sold for: $4,750

Sure, this set has a huge price tag, but it also includes over 200 pieces (hence its “banquet size” claim). The blue fluted half lace pattern is one of the most classic looks imaginable for china, making this all the more coveted. 

5. Limoges Raynaud Conde China

A large porcelain dinnerware set featuring plates, cups, and saucers with a deep blue border and gold ornate patterns arranged neatly against a gray background.
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and The Cleveland Auction Co.
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and The Cleveland Auction Co.

Sold for: $4,500

With 96 pieces and a regal cobalt, porcelain, and gilded gold color combination, this china set contains everything from cream soup bowls to bread and butter plates.

6. Pink Haviland Limoges ‘Baltimore Rose’ China

A large set of elegant porcelain dinnerware with pink floral patterns and gold trim is displayed on a burgundy tablecloth. The set includes plates, bowls, cups, saucers, a teapot, and serving dishes arranged neatly.
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Magnum Auctions
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Magnum Auctions

Sold for: $4,200

For lovers of dainty china patterns, this light pink floral pattern with subtle bronze accents is 100% swoon-worthy. With 104 pieces, the set accounts for eight full table settings and a slew of serving dishes.

7. Hand-Painted Herend Rothschild Bird China

A collection of elegant porcelain dinnerware is displayed on a wooden table. The set includes stacked plates, teacups, and saucers featuring delicate bird and butterfly designs in gold and green accents. Decorative figurines are visible in the background.
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Royal Antiques
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Royal Antiques

Sold for: $8,000

China is ornate by nature, but this china set’s beautiful birds and butterflies are hand-painted, making it all the more alluring (and valuable).

8. Herend Rothschild Bird With Blue Fish Scale China

A set of ceramic plates featuring bird and tree designs, with intricate blue and gold borders. The collection includes dinner and dessert plates, stacked in neat groups.
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Leland Little
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Leland Little

Sold for: $9,250

With a patterned blue border, this china set is bolder than many other sets. It features adorable birds and butterflies, channeling springtime vibes.

9. Spode Stafford Flowers Porcelain China Set

A set of white porcelain dishes with gold trim, featuring floral designs. Includes a large plate with blue and purple flowers, a teacup and saucer with similar motifs, and additional plates with various colorful flowers.
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Antiques & Modern Auction Gallery
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Antiques & Modern Auction Gallery

Sold for: $9,200

Floral patterns and fine china go hand in hand, and this set has some of the most dainty flowers imaginable. Plus, its intricate gold border is top-tier.

10. Carlsbad China

A large, ornate pink and gold tea set is arranged on a dark table against a blue background. The set includes plates, cups, saucers, and a teapot, all featuring intricate floral designs and decorative gold accents.
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Stevens Auction Company
Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Stevens Auction Company

Sold for: $8,500

You had us at pink. This china set is bold, ornate, detailed, and everything that’s right with the world. With 104 hand-painted pieces, the set includes complete service for 12.

Author
Rachel Schneider

Rachel is a Michigan-based writer with a bachelor’s degree in Professional Writing and English. Throughout her career, she has dabbled in a variety of subject matter from finance and higher education to lifestyle pieces and food writing. She also enjoys writing stories based on social media trends. Find her on Instagram @rachel.schneider922