At first glance, fine china is just very expensive dinnerware. Sure, it's pretty. It's also delicate, making it very difficult to get it clean safely--no dishwashers for these plates and cups! Fine china, while it is certainly used for the same purpose as regular dinnerware, has a number of characteristics that set it apart.
Fine china is a work of art. Many times, when a line of fine china is introduced, only a limited number of pieces are produced. If a piece is broken, it is often very costly to replace--particularly if it has been quite some time since the initial purchase. China may be decorated with anything you can imagine, but it's most commonly a floral or geometric pattern. Most often, china has a white, ivory, or off-white base. It can be trimmed in precious metals (most frequently gold) and accented with bright colors to draw the eye or muted colors for an understated, elegant effect.
Fine china is typically used for formal occasions. While there are those who use their china on a regular basis, most commonly, fine china is saved for special occasions. While a woman might bring out her fine china for an anniversary dinner with her husband, it's probably not the dinnerware that's used on the table every night--especially not if there are children in the house!
Fine china often holds great sentimental value. Not too long ago, it was very common for a couple to build their set of fine china through wedding gifts, so each and every piece likely has special meaning to the couple. It is also a common birthday or anniversary present--or, even more commonly, passed down as an inheritance, so that there are pieces of china that have been in a family for generations.
China's origins: Fine China began in the country that gave it its name. Artisans constructed special kilns that could reach extremely high temperatures, creating a nonporous surface that was very hard. It had these properties prior to glazing, but most frequently, glaze was added to add not only decorative effect, but also protection against aging and staining.
Initially, this porcelain was produced for common, everyday objects: dinner plates, cups, and so on. As the methods became more widespread, china was also produced for decorative objects and other uses. It took years for Europeans to discover the method used by the Chinese to produce this desirable substance, but with time and practice, they gradually developed the art--and slowly added their own artistic elements and tastes. Now, china is mass-produced just like any other product--but that doesn't make it any less expensive or desirable.
Because of its value--both sentimental and monetary--and intrinsic frailty, china is a very difficult item to ship. If you're packing and shipping china in the Houston area, you might want help from a professional--someone with plenty of experience packing china, whether for estates, moving companies, or private individuals.
The utmost care should be taken when packing your china pieces. Each one should be wrapped individually in bubble wrap and double boxing them, adding packing peanuts and other packing materials to ensure the maximum level of protection. Under the best circumstances, your china should be picked up at your home or office and custom packed to ensure that every piece receives the protection it needs and deserves.
Contact us to arrange for a quote and to discuss any questions you might have about shipping your fine china.
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