The wife got those years ago when her father died. She was under the impression it was too expensive to use. I told her I didn't care how much they cost, I don't want dishes we don't use. Luckily, I won that argument because I see now they are, in fact, not that expensive. Might have just been she was used to being relegated to plastic children's ware. She was only 13 when we got married. I know that seems horrible, but I was only 8 so maturity wise it wasn't so far off. Kidding...

We have some old Japanese plates that aren't precious, but they're worth more than I'd have thought. They weren't anything special when they were bought years ago afaik.

You know, you might be the perfect person to ask. I really want this china set I saw, they're white plates with red decorations on the borders, like line drawings of old sailing ships I believe, and all throughout on the tea cups. The nautical theme isn't actually desired, it was just a beautiful white and red pattern. It's particularly the tea cup I want, although the whole set would be kind of nice.