China Set

I have this very large china set that I'm trying to find more information about. I understand it's Limoges porcelain. From the mark on the bottom I believe it is made by Haviland & Co. Would that be correct? Can this set be dated based on the mark? The crest on the china is my family crest. Would this be a standard pattern or a custom made set? I have inherited numerous antique china sets and since this one is my least favorite, I'm not sure I want to keep this set. Would it be in my best interest to have this appraised and or go through an auction house? Thank you for any information or help in directing me in finding more information

 

Pretty and nice to have your family crest. See mark C-4 under Charles Haviland. http://www.havilandonline.com/backmark.htm

 

I'd keep old stuff with the family crest....in the family....

But that's just me....

 

I agree with you komokwa and I'm on the fence about this one. My mother kept everything and it's just way too much for me. And I mean EVERYTHING; broken items, valuable items, non valuable items, even down to cut hair and old teeth. Trying to figure out what to keep and what not to keep has been an overwhelming and gut wrenching project. For 50+ years it was a burden for my mom to keep everything (stored and packed away waiting for me) and with my mother's blessing I promised myself I wouldn't carry that burden just for the sake of holding on to something

 

Well then Lisa, I guess the hard part is knowing what to keep and what to toss !
If we can help .......

 

I'd be starting with the hair and teeth on the throwout list, then working up the value scale with a decent auction company to do some work for their hefty commission.

 

I'll pay shipping on any teeth like this you don't want

 

Sorry - I don't care if you have fifty other sets of china! If that is your family crest, you must keep it! You have enough there to cater a small wedding, a birthday, anniversary, or Thanksgiving dinner.

Personally, I think it is fabulous, and I have Limoges myself. Besides which, the way the gold is configured in the design is going to be gorgeous in candlelight.

 

Please note that the people saying to keep it, are not the ones who will have to take care of it forever, and ever, and ever.

 

Ahem! China does not require feeding and watering, one does not have to take it back and forth from school, it doesn't interrupt phone calls, nor does it whine for Fruit Loops. All it needs is a proper storage place, and reasonable care when used. What more could you ask in return for maintaining history?

 

Bah! Humbug!

 

Messi, dear...may I come look at your cupboards? (She said sweetly)

 

Sure! Why?
You think I have them packed with stuff I don't use? Not so.
Nice things (for the most part), but nothing I don't use except for a set of Spode that I want to dump, but my husband does not.
Not even a family set - just one I picked up at a yard sale for $20.

 

I just finished one of those decluttering books, which is not going to resonate with everyone. BUT--if these dishes don't bring you any kind of joy, thank them kindly for their past service and get rid of them.

 

I sure hope I didn't come off as sounding unappreciative and ungrateful! I am the only family member in my generation who has any interest and love for all these meaningful family items. If I had the space and a husband who didn't need a clutter free home I'd keep EVERYTHING and have it all out on display for my own enjoyment. I absolutely LOVE having a link to my family and actual things I can touch and appreciate that have been in the same hands as my own ancestors. My philosophy along this journey has been "If it fits in my house, I love the item or feel a great connection to the item then I'm keeping it."
Thanks to this group at Antiquers.com! With all of the knowledge here, you guys have helped me and guided me in determining what things to keep and what things to pass on. As for this set, I think I should fall on the keep side of the fence ;-)

 

HAHAHA!!!

 

Agree, if you don't like the china, it has to go. In looking at the list of items available with the family crest, it reminded me of when I was in Ireland. If you had an Irish surname, you could find so many things with the family crest on it. Seems like CF Havilland had the same idea. I really like the gold trim on these dishes, but (and this is just my opinion) the crest kind of ruins the look. So in the end, it might not be real special. If it was, you would remember it being used frequently when you were young. If there are no memories attached to it, then it doesn't have to be tethered to you forever. Just say bye, bye and consign it to its next owner.

As a person with a small Haviland collection, I will state that you might want to give this set to an auctioneer. I don't think it will sell well through on-line auction sites, maybe not even at live auction. It's just not the kind of Haviland that people want (too specialized). Or you could try Craig's List to see if you can kind someone with your same last name. But as far as general interest, I think it would be low.

 

Was responding to janetpjohn's message about getting rid of things.

 

Hi Lisa,
I had three hundred cartons of stuff that my family did not want to deal with. I had it stored in my attic for years. I decided to get rid of it. I started with eBay and ventured into a gigantic yard sale every year. It took several years but I was down to 5 cartons when I stopped. All of a sudden my grandnieces wanted stuff from their sides of the family, I got rid of a lot of stuff to them. It seems that two different generations did not want the stuff, the third did. If I had the family china from that time period I would save it. My Gram who raised me had all mixed china from every time known. I saved a couple of pieces that had memories for me. Once my Gram got a huge set of expensive china from a friend of hers who had no relations. That I sold, if it had been from my family I do not think I would have. Everyone is different, I have one aunt from my wife's family who does not save anything. Once it is a year or two old out it goes. That includes bedroom suites and kitchen stuff etc. She has nothing to leave to her children. Once when she was in a cleanout mode. I found several medals her husband had won in school and college. They were 10 kt gold and sterling. I removed them from the trash.
I will save them until she passes on and give them to her kids. The rest of the family are hoarders. My FIL who was in the Korean War went to Tokyo on a leave. He bought a custom made silk shirt. Never wore it but has it in a box and is now shredding in pieces. He has numerous pieces of paper with addresses of directions on how to get around Japan in the 50s. He throws out nothing. He has cans of paint when he painted his house 4 moves and 50 years ago. I am not that bad. So if you want to get rid of stuff go ahead but family items if you can save them good for you. If you can not save them give them to another family member. Remember once gone they are gone forever.
greg

 

I have found that in my family, appreciation for items from a certain decade (or time span of some kind) skips a generation. My own taste follows that of my grandparents: formal, Empire, elegant. My daughter is into my mother's stuff: depression glass, "early American," etc.

(LOL! To me, Early American is what William Bradford brought with him on the Mayflower!)