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The hallowed halls of thrift stores and digital secondhand aisles are ripe with so many treasured finds. One often overlooked category is dishes and servingware, which can feel like a hodgepodge of mismatched items. With some patience and a keen eye, though, you can find some surprisingly valuable and quirky plates worth scooping up.
“As a designer, I love how these finds introduce a sense of history and personality that you just can’t achieve with something new,” says Andrew Suvalsky, a New York City-based interior designer. “Thrifted plates can be both functional and decorative. I love using them for entertaining; they make even a casual gathering feel more special. They’re also beautiful when displayed as art.”
Whether designing a plate wall, displaying treasured pieces in a hutch, or putting them to use in your hosting rotation, these collectible vintage plates are a great find.
Wedgewood
Known for its distinctive blue (often called lavender) and cream relief pattern, Wedgwood is an old English company that’s remained a household staple since the 18th century. Though the brand’s blue and cream combination is perhaps the most famous, Suvalsky says Wedgewood made a broad array of colors and motifs. “Their value often depends on rarity and condition, especially for older or discontinued patterns,” he adds. Genuine pieces typically have a printed or impressed “Wedgewood” stamp on the back, often along with England or “Made in England.”
Cabbageware
With a rise in retro ‘70s aesthetics, cabbageware has made a big comeback in recent years—think Palm Beach meets cottagecore, says hosting expert Rachel Leonard Kennedy. These realistic, leafy pieces resemble cabbage or lettuce, and come in everything from serving plates to small bowls and textured tureens.
The style became especially popular in mid-20th-century Europe, with Portuguese ceramist Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro being one of its most famous creators. Others have replicated the look, including English makers like Carlton Ware and Sylvac, Portuguese artist Olfaire, and American potter Dodie Thayer.
Zodiac Themed Plates
Made popular in the 1960s and ‘70s, zodiac-themed plates are a fun and surprisingly collectible thrift store score. Casey O’Rourke, vintage expert and owner of Blue Suede Vintage, says she picks up anything zodiac-kitsch the second she spots it. “If you can find a full set of plates with each sign, regardless of maker, you might be sitting on something quite valuable,” she says. You’ll find these plates in everything from hand-painted porcelain to gold-rimmed glass to cast heavy brass. These plates are more appropriate for decoration than serving.
Lenox
Lenox has beautiful patterns across many eras, but pieces from the 1950s and 1960s have a chic mid-century feel that blends well with modern interiors. “Look for sets in pristine condition; their crisp forms and subtle gold detailing make them especially collectible,” Suvalsky says. “The value varies depending on the completeness of the sets found, their condition, and general availability.”
He adds that many of the patterns were produced in limited amounts, which means their value is guaranteed to increase. Some especially popular patterns include Eternal, Charleston, Harvest, Tuxedo, and the beloved Holiday design, which features Lenox’s signature holly and berry motif.
Oyster Plates
If you want a real conversation starter at the dinner table, Kennedy says an oyster plate will do the trick. “They were designed with wells for oysters [starting] back in the 1800s, and they still look just as chic today,” she says. “I love the iridescent ones, as they shimmer under candlelight and look stunning displayed in sets of three. French Limoges pieces are the holy grail, but even an unsigned one can be a showstopper if the detail’s crisp.”
Other makers, such as Minton and Haviland, also produced their own versions. While a well-known designer can make for an especially fun find, it’s the distinctive scalloped shape and deep wells that you’re looking for while thrifting.
Majolica Relief Plates
Majolica Relief Plates feel like the jewelry of the kitchen. These colorful, oval serving platters have raised designs depicting fruit, flowers, or animals with a glossy glaze that looks like it was poured straight from a fountain.
“English makers like Wedgwood or George Jones are collectible, but even reproductions have so much personality,” Kennedy says. “Place one under a glass cloche or let it live solo on a shelf as art.” Other makers include Minton, Copeland, and Sarreguemines. To spot an authentic piece, keep an eye out for vibrant, hand-painted glazes, clearly molded relief patterns, and a maker’s mark impressed or stamped on the back.
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