Treasures: Goodwill find is a Rose Medallion oval platter

Dear Helaine and Joe:

I found this piece at a Goodwill store and paid $6 for it because it is pretty. When I returned home, I noticed that there were quite a few chips around the rim. I am wondering what I purchased, and is it worth more than I paid for it? Thank you so much,

K. T.

Dear K. T.:

Thrift stores in general are great places to find all kinds of bargains. Wedding dresses worth thousands of dollars sell for $50 or less. Or there’s the Jackson Pollack painting that was reportedly purchased for $5 and turned out to be worth millions.

The piece in today’s question is Chinese in origin and is a type of ware that has its roots in the 18th century in and around the city of Canton (now Guangzhou). Before 1842, this was the only Chinese port open to European trade. Various porcelain wares intended for export to Europe and North America were made at many potteries, then shipped to Canton, where they were hand-decorated.

The Chinese disdained these wares as being in bad taste, but Europeans loved them. Sea captains would fill the bottom of their ships with porcelain to act as ballast. Stones were often used for this purpose when the ship was outbound from Europe, but they were replaced with “china” for the return trip because it made the voyage much more profitable.

In the second half of the 17th century, a new color was added to the Chinese palette for porcelain decoration. It was pink — the Chinese called it the ”foreign color” — but it could range from a soft hue to one that was almost ruby in coloration. Collectors refer to the type of porcelain with this enamel coloration within its decorating scheme, “famille rose” or “rose family.”

Some of the most familiar examples of Chinese export with famille rose enamels are called “Rose Canton” and “Rose Medallion.” Both patterns have panels, or “medallions,” of decoration. Rose Canton was entirely floral, but in Rose Medallion, the floral panels alternate with others containing representations of people (birds and butterflies are also represented from time to time).

The Rose Medallion oval platter in today’s question was probably made in the

mid-19th century (18301860s). Pieces made after 1891 are commonly marked “China,” and those made near the beginning of the first World War and after are often marked “Made in China.” If the piece is marked “Made in Hong Kong” or with Chinese characters, it is of modern origins and is of less interest to collectors.

The chips on this piece are minor, and it should be valued at around $300. If perfect, the value would have been closer to $500.

Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson have written a number of books on antiques. Do you have an item you’d like to know more about? Contact them at Joe Rosson, 2504 Seymour Ave., Knoxville, TN 37917, or email them at treasures@ knology.net. If you’d like your question to be considered for their column, please include a high-resolution photo of the subject, which must be in focus, with your inquiry.