Sheffield Regency Gold Fine China Plate

This is the underside of a circular porcelain dinnerware plate from the Sheffield 'Regency Gold' collection. The plate is constructed from fine white porcelain with a smooth, high-gloss glazed finish. Centered on the base is a clear gold-tone maker's mark consisting of the Sheffield logo with a crown, the pattern name 'Regency Gold', and the manufacturing specifications 'Porcelain Fine China, MADE IN JAPAN.' There is also a copyright mark indicating '© 1985 JMP MARKETING,' which places the manufacturing era in the mid-to-late 1980s. The plate features a raised foot rim to provide stability and protection for the base. In terms of condition, the porcelain appears well-preserved with no visible chips, cracks, or heavy crazing on the underside. The foot rim shows very minor shelf wear consistent with light use. The glaze remains bright and reflective, indicating high-quality craftsmanship characteristic of Japanese-made porcelain from this period. The simplicity of the white body suggests a formal design, typically accented with a gold rim on the topside, which is not fully visible here.

Based on the image provided, I have examined the underside of this Sheffield 'Regency Gold' dinner plate. The maker's mark is clearly visible, identifying it as Fine China made in Japan in 1985 by JMP Marketing. The stamp is crisp and unblemished, consistent with authentic production runs from this era of Japanese export porcelain. Visually, the underside is clean, showing no signs of chips, cracks, or significant discoloration. The foot rim appears intact with minimal shelf wear, suggesting the piece has been lightly used or stored carefully. Market conditions for mid-1980s mass-market fine china like Sheffield are currently soft. While 'Regency Gold' is a recognized pattern, it was produced in large quantities for the department store market and lacks the prestige of heritage brands like Lenox, Wedgwood, or Spode. Comparables on secondary markets (replacements sites, eBay) typically list individual dinner plates in the $8 to $15 range, often selling for less in bulk lots. The value here is strictly utilitarian rather than collectible. The primary factor impacting value is the ubiquity of the pattern; it is not rare, and replacement pieces are easily sourced. While the 'Made in Japan' designation indicates decent quality porcelain, it does not command a premium in this specific brand category. Please note: My assessment is limited to high-resolution imagery. To fully verify condition, I would need to physically inspect the top side of the plate for utensil marks, gold rim fading (a common issue with this pattern), or microscopic crazing that photographs may obscure.