The SOSC Heritage Grading Guide

At Something Old Something Chic, we believe that the marks of time are what give vintage pieces their soul. However, transparency is the cornerstone of our curation. We use the following standards to describe the condition of every storied treasure in our collection.

Excellent

The piece is in near-original condition, showing almost no signs of its previous life. There are no chips, cracks, or significant wear to any gilding or hand-painted details. It has been remarkably well-preserved.

Very Good

A beautiful vintage specimen that shows light, expected signs of use. This may include faint "flea bites" (tiny, pin-head sized nibbles), light utensil marks, or very minor thinning of gold leaf. These details do not detract from its beauty or function.

Good

The piece is structurally sound but carries visible evidence of its history. This might include noticeable crazing (the fine "spiderweb" lines in old glaze), more significant shelf-wear to the base, or a small, singular chip that has been clearly noted in the Condition Report.

Fair

A "Rescue" or "Study" piece. These items carry significant character—perhaps a larger chip, a hairline crack, or heavy patina. We only curate these if the item is exceptionally rare, of high historical value, or still possesses an undeniable aesthetic charm despite its imperfections.

A Note on "Crazing"

Many of our ceramics are decades old. Fine glaze crazing is a natural chemical process and is often a hallmark of authentic age. Unless it affects the structural integrity of the piece, we celebrate this as part of its vintage narrative.