WHAT’S IT WORTH?

The Chinese-made teapot--which would bring around $300 today--is part of a popular line of porcelain made in the late 1800’s.

What is it?

A 5-inch-tall Canton Famille Rose porcelain teapot and wicker tea cozy made in Canton, China, at the end of the 19th century.

What’s its history

This is one example of Chinese export porcelain produced from about 1850 until the second decade of the 20th century. The pink rose color gave its name to three related groups of porcelain: Rose Mandarin, Rose Medallion and Rose Canton. This particular piece is Rose Canton in the Garden pattern. The garden motif features kingfishers, flowers, vegetables and fruit.

What’s the legend?

Costa Mesa resident Diana Hensley’s three maiden aunts, Mabel, Theodosius and Hazel, traveled to China in the early 1900s. They returned to Los Angeles with the teapot. Hensley received it from her mother 15 years ago.

How was it made?

Canton Famille Rose porcelain was hand-painted in China. Much of it was exported to the United States because very little porcelain was manufactured here during most of the 19th century.

Why is it popular?

It was originally popular because it was readily available in the U.S. and was inexpensive. Patterns produced year after year made it easy to replace broken of chipped pieces. Historical accounts cite Capt. Daniel Ammen mentioning that feature to Ulysses S. Grant’s wife in 1868 when she was ordering a shipment of Rose Medallion dinner ware. Today, people are attracted to the colors and designs.

What is it worth today?

“This would bring around $300,” said Michael R. May, vice president of Warren Imports in Laguna Beach and an appraiser of Oriental antiques. “The fact that there are no markings on the bottom is good, since it wasn’t until 1926 that goods for export had to be marked with the country of origin. What the bottom should have is a orange-peel color showing through the plain biscuit glaze.”

Where can I find it?

Antique stores such as Warren Imports often have selected pieces. Often estate sales will have entire sets for auction.

Where can you find out more?

Warren Imports has a catalog, “Chinese Export Porcelain in the 18th Century: The Canton Famille Rose Porcelains,” by Dr. John Quentin Feller (Peabody Museum of Salem, 1982, $15). There are also many books on Chinese exports and antique price guide books that place value on the pieces.