Porcelain decorated with gold or platinum is made to be used. The finest services are the ones that come out for Sunday lunch and family celebrations, not the ones kept behind glass for fear of damage. The difference between a service that still looks beautiful after years of use and one that has dulled is almost always in the washing and the storage, and none of it is complicated.
Wash by hand. Hand washing is what we recommend for every piece in our porcelain collections. Very hot water, strong detergents and long machine cycles gradually wear precious metal decoration. Use warm water, a mild washing-up liquid and a soft sponge or cloth. Never use the abrasive side of a sponge, scouring powder or steel wool on decorated pieces, and do not leave them soaking for long periods.
Never put gold or platinum in the microwave. Metal decoration can spark in a microwave oven, which damages the decoration and can damage the appliance. This applies to rims, bands, patterns and handles alike, however fine the line.
Avoid sudden changes of temperature. Porcelain does not like shocks. Do not move a plate straight from the refrigerator into a hot oven, or pour boiling water into a cup that has just been rinsed in cold water. Let pieces come to room temperature first.
Clear plates gently. Scrape food away with a rubber spatula rather than a knife, and rinse soon after the meal so that sauces do not sit on the glaze overnight. Wash decorated pieces separately from pots, pans and cutlery, which can knock against rims in a crowded basin, and lay a folded towel in the bottom of the sink as a cushion.
Dry with a soft cloth. Air drying can leave water marks. Wiping each piece with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth straight after washing keeps the glaze clear and preserves the shine of the gold or platinum.
Polish only when you need to. Over time, precious metal decoration can lose a little of its brightness. A soft cloth with a small amount of silver polish, used gently on the decoration alone, can bring it back. Rinse and dry the piece afterwards.
Store with a layer between plates. When stacking, place a soft cloth, felt pad or paper napkin between plates and saucers, so that the foot of one plate does not rub the decoration of the next. Keep stacks to a sensible height, store cups upright rather than nested inside one another, and avoid hanging cups by their handles.
Handle it as you would fine glass. Carry a few pieces at a time rather than a tall stack, and keep decorated serving dishes away from the edge of the counter while you work. Fine porcelain is strong for its weight, but no porcelain survives a fall onto a stone floor.
Above all, use it. A service in regular use is washed, checked and handled with care, and over time it becomes part of how a family gathers. Keep to these habits and your porcelain will be ready for the next occasion, and for the one after that.
If you are unsure how to care for a particular piece, ask a curator before trying something new.