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The hobby of collecting plates which are usually highly ornate or decorated and in many instances commemorate a certain event.

Popularity
Some collectors prefer to amass examples according to certain events such as royal occasions. Others may buy examples made by certain potteries or maybe depicting certain animals. There are plenty of collectable plates of both the new and old variety

Location
Plates for collections can come from many different sources. Specialist companies exist that produce plate specifically for collectors. Also antique plates can be obtained from antique shops and fairs and even the local car boot sale or auction.

Age
Collectors can be of all ages and you are never too young or old to start a collection. It is important to realise when handling these objects that they are fragile, especially in the hands of children.

Ability
Plate collectors can come from varying backgrounds but they will all have the interest in the design or the subject depicted on the plate.

Description
China is generally broken down into two main categories, earthenware/pottery and porcelain. Earthenware is made from fairly coarse clays fired at lower temperatures - it is softer, will stain more readily and is less expensive than porcelain. Porcelain is made from fine white clay and other raw materials such as ground felspar. It is thinner, lighter, more durable as well as more expensive than pottery. Items may be hand painted/decorated or stencilled (transferware)

Dedication
Learn how to identify items by the makers marks on the bottom of a piece. This can be very useful when wishing to establish the age and value of a piece if it is antique. A company?s dating system is simply a series of numbers or symbols used to record the date the pottery or the porcelain was made. These marks could be impressed into the clay under the glaze or printed either under or over the glaze or handpainted under or over the glaze. Modern items usually have more identifying marks.

Cost
Plates can be obtained for a few pence or pounds or many hundreds for sought after antique plates.

Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.

Energy

Arms

Legs

Sight

Hearing

Speech

Learning

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