Featured Japanese part tea set in auction

There is a job lot of three tea sets in an auction on Tuesday, and I can't make up my mind whether to bid for them. They would take up a lot of space and a lot of time ebaying but I think they are quality pieces and worth the trouble if it goes cheaply. One tea set is circa 1820 English chinoiserie, one possibly Victorian floral painted, and one is Japanese, and maybe modern. I think it is very attractive and beautifully painted, but I know that even hand painted Japanese tea sets seem to sell for very little, so I am hoping it would not be too difficult to sell on. Do you think it desirable or not? Attached are some of the auction photos. Do you think they would be difficult to sell, maybe in trios? Thanks for any info or thoughts.

 

So pretty ! So very much out there . More by the day as a certain generation passes on.

 

Thank you! That is the problem, the collecting generation is passing on and the next generation wanting to sell their "clutter" and no-one buying! Maybe one day they will appreciate the workmanship, and quality will show its worth. I'm still undecided about buying the lot; what if there is something else waiting for me in the next auction ... It's not the money, it's the space!

 

Space is indeed an issue for many of us ! Sad really that something so pretty languishes unused but they are so delicate and hand wash only wich is the kiss of death these days.

 

That is a nicer set of that type. Did you check ebay completed listings for similar sets to see if they sell and for how much?

 

"Hand wash only" is a real drawback but as far as I can tell, judging from the photos, they have lasted well so far, however long that is. I'm still making up my mind, perhaps I should just go with my heart. I could always give them to a charity shop if I can't sell them, but if I put in a low bid and win then with some work I should be able to get the money back over time. I already have many things to list, I shouldn't bid but . . .

 

a lovely set....... put your time and cash elsewhere ..... imo

 

They're gorgeous, but as an investment they're a boat anchor. Buy it if you're going to use it, but otherwise leave it to the next sucker. "Hand wash only" is the kiss of death.

 

There don't seem to be anything quite like these on sale, just lots of modern handleless cups, geisha egg shell porcelain etc. I will keep trying to find out how old they are, so whether they are antique, vintage or very modern, which would show a way forward to marketing them. Where I live there are a lot of "vintage" shops catering for the large student population, if people could see them in person on a shelf that might help. After all this there is absolutely no guarantee I'll win them, but it has been a nice thought.

 

Those are pretty damn nice. I think bought cheap you’d do ok. They are so attractive I think they’d be hard to resist at fair prices. Bought cheap it’s worth a shot.

 

Thanks for your kind words! I was very ambivalent about bidding, especially after the comments here, but went for it in the end, and since mine was the only bid I got the three teasets for an incredibly cheap price. I only need to sell one thing from each set to make my money back, so it's really only the space and time I'm investing. The Japanese set is just as pretty in reality as it is in the photos. It is eggshell porcelain so rather fragile but I hope useable. I will list my first trio soon and report back on how I get on. Meanwhile I have to identify the makers of the other two sets, which may take some time, but they are also very bright and beautiful, and I'm glad I bought them. I think they are both Georgian but even that doesn't guarantee a sale these days, old china is so out of fashion.

 

good luck !

 

Congrats. Sounds like you can’t lose! I’m sure folks here could help you ID the others. I’d use a closeup of the bird, flowers, and tree in my main photo rather than a zoomed out one of the whole item(s). It may pique interest in people that wouldn’t normally click. If you’re not in a rush I think they’ll sell fine personally. The stuff may not be flying off the shelves but people do buy it.

 

Thanks for the advice about the photos, I'll try to take a good main photo to draw people in. I will try selling them in small groups of one or two trios, with perhaps the side plate as the first photo. It has finally stopped raining so I'll start taking photos now and let you know how I get on.