Royal Doulton’s Legendary Bunnykins – The Childhood Collection Worth a Fortune
When you think of valuable china, cutesy bunny figurines probably aren’t the first things that come to mind. But here’s where collectors keep surprising the rest of us – in good condition, the most desirable of these Bunnykins have consistently sold in the low $1,000s, while some exceptional pieces fetch even more astronomical prices. Royal Doulton Bunnykins Jazz Band Drummer pieces have reportedly sold for over $2,000 at auctions.
These charming rabbit characters aren’t just nursery decorations anymore. These cute bunny characters in various themed scenes and stylistic variations have been manufactured by Royal Doulton (Doulton & Co. at the time) since 1939. These early pieces are particularly rare given that the company reintroduced the series in the 1960s. The rarity factor makes all the difference in this market, where childhood nostalgia meets serious investment potential.
Royal Doulton’s Artist-Signed Masterpieces
Think of these pieces as small canvases that happened to be designed for dining. 12 Royal Doulton plates signed E. Wood, each painted differently, museum quality, with raised gilding, 1927, 9 inches, price on request · Close up of fabulous museum quality Royal Doulton plates with raised gilding signed Wood, price on request · 12 Royal Doulton cobalt and gold raised gilded plates, 10 1/2″, ca-1909, some gilt wear in centers, but cobalt and gilt edge perfect, Price on Request · 12 Royal Doulton aqua flowered plates, signed E.W. Percy, each painted differently, ca-1927, 10 1/2″, $2400.00
The magic happens when you combine Royal Doulton’s reputation with individual artistic signatures. These aren’t mass-produced patterns but hand-painted works where each piece tells its own story. 11 Royal Doulton fish plates made for Tiffany with raised gilding, each painted with different museum quality fish, 9″, ca-1904, signed Fred B. Hancock, SOLD When Tiffany’s name appears alongside Royal Doulton, you know serious money changed hands.
Spode Stafford White – The Golden Edge Collection
Gold has always been the ultimate luxury accent, and Spode understood this perfectly. Spode Stafford White was reportedly in production from around 1989 to 2015. With a 22-carat gold design along the edge of the dinnerware, these gorgeous white china pieces can be quite valuable. If you can get your hands on a plate, it could earn you $650 on the resale market.
The timing of this pattern’s discontinuation in 2015 creates an interesting market dynamic. It’s recent enough that many sets survived in pristine condition, yet old enough to have developed that crucial “discontinued” status that collectors crave. The 22-carat gold edging isn’t just decoration – it’s a statement that screams luxury from every angle.
Herend’s Rothschild Bird Pattern – Hand-Painted Perfection
Some china patterns tell stories, and this one has quite the tale. Baron Rothschild is said to have commissioned this pattern in the 1860s after finding a lost bird pendant in the Herend factory garden. The romantic origin story adds mystique, but it’s the craftsmanship that justifies the price tags.
Each piece is hand-painted by artisans with years of training. The pattern features 24-karat gold accents. The most valuable pieces come from the 19th century, particularly large dinnerware sets and large pieces like soup tureens, reaching up to $2,500 or more. When you’re paying thousands for dinnerware, you want to know that real artisans spent serious time perfecting every brushstroke.
Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica – Royal Family Heirloom Status
Here’s where china collecting reaches aristocratic levels of exclusivity. Each flower is inspired by the same copper print from the 1790s. The first collection in this design has been passed down from generation to generation in the Royal family. A single dinner plate in this pattern could get you $1,400.
When you’re buying china that’s literally good enough for royalty, you’re not just purchasing tableware – you’re investing in a piece of Danish royal history. Meanwhile a tea cup and saucer set is listed at $925 on eBay. These aren’t just dishes; they’re conversation pieces that come with centuries of pedigree.
Chinese Export Porcelain – The Saldanha Service
Sometimes collectors stumble upon pieces that make auction houses sit up and take notice. Saldanha Dinner Service – Elaborately decorated pattern with polychrome enamels, featuring an armorial crest and rabbit haunch surrounded by be-ribboned wreath, with caught animal and food motifs around including birds, fish, rabbit and boar, and various vegetables. Commissioned by the Saldanha de Albuquerque family of Portugal circa 1760-1770. Auction Result: circa 1775 80+ pc set sold for $81,900 in 2025; similar elaborate sets have reportedly sold for over $1 million at major auction houses.
This isn’t just expensive china – it’s museum-quality artistry that happened to be designed for dining. The elaborate food motifs and armorial crests tell the story of 18th-century Portuguese nobility who wanted their dinnerware to reflect their status. That $1.15 million sale at Christie’s proves that the right piece of china can compete with fine art investments.
Wedgwood’s Malabar Pattern – The Two-Year Wonder
Rarity often drives value, and Wedgwood’s Malabar pattern proves this principle perfectly. Wedgwood’s Malabar china sets feature a vibrant, light red floral border including butterflies and gold trim on an ivory bone china background. This line reportedly had a limited production run in the 1980s, making it rare today. Large Malabar sets with 60+ pieces typically fetch $1,200 or more, while small plate sets and single items like tureens and serving platters can also bring a few hundred dollars.
Two years of production creates the perfect storm for collectors – long enough for quality pieces to be made, but short enough for genuine scarcity. The vibrant red florals and butterfly motifs capture that distinctive 1980s aesthetic that’s now having its moment among design enthusiasts who appreciate bold patterns.
Noritake Christmas Ball – Holiday Luxury Worth Celebrating
Holiday china patterns occupy a special place in collectors’ hearts, combining seasonal nostalgia with year-round investment potential. Noritake’s early 20th century pattern, the Christmas Ball, features ornate gold-encrusted designs with intricate detailing on a white or ivory background. Unlike its name, the design is not specifically related to the Christmas theme, but it does give festive vibes due to its gold work. Today, complete Christmas Ball sets in good condition can fetch high values of up to $1,500 or more.
The irony of the Christmas Ball pattern is that despite its name, it works beautifully year-round. The heavy gold detailing creates that sense of occasion that makes everyday dining feel special. Early 20th-century Noritake represents a sweet spot where Japanese craftsmanship met Western design sensibilities, creating pieces that feel both exotic and familiar.
Spode Botanic Garden – Where Art Meets Science
Some china patterns educate while they elevate your dining experience. This mesmerizing pattern was created in 1972 by Susan Williams-Ellis, who was inspired by floral illustrations in books. Each item of the Botanic Garden dinner set bears a unique flower variety with a few butterflies and insects and a green leaf border. You’ll also find the flower names written on the plates, making them even more unique and valuable. Today, small Botanic Garden dinner sets generally range between $200 to $500, while large sets with 30+ pieces can reach up to $1,000.
What makes Botanic Garden special isn’t just the botanical accuracy – it’s the educational element that transforms every meal into a nature lesson. The flower names printed on each plate turn dinner conversation toward gardening and natural history. While not the most expensive pattern on this list, its combination of beauty and educational value creates lasting appeal that transcends typical collectible trends.
Why These China Sets Command Such Prices
Understanding what drives these astronomical prices helps explain why certain patterns become legendary while others fade into obscurity. The item’s rarity also influences its value. For example, if a specific piece had a relatively small production run, it will likely be worth more than a similar item that numbers in the thousands. Finally, an item’s condition has a major bearing on its value.
Unlike other collectibles, a china pattern will rarely multiply in worth as it ages. So, if you’re hanging onto something hoping it will gain in value, now may be the time to make extra money on the side and sell it. Keep your eyes peeled for discontinued patterns, however, as those have been known to make the most money. The china market rewards those who understand timing, condition, and the stories behind each pattern.
These vintage china sets represent more than just expensive tableware – they’re tangible connections to craftsmanship traditions that modern mass production can’t replicate. Whether you’re a serious collector or someone who stumbled upon grandmother’s china in the attic, understanding these patterns could mean the difference between a garage sale bargain and a life-changing discovery. Have you checked your china cabinet lately?