Nothing Chintzy About It

I was captivated by the all-over pastel flower pattern of chintz china the first time I spotted it at an antiques auction.
Fortunately, no one seemed to know what it was so I was able to acquire the Royal Winton cup and saucer and square-shaped bowl for less than $20.
That was years ago. Today, true chintz made in the 1920s through the late 1960s fetches hundreds of dollars.
Royal Winton is just one of dozens of English manufacturers of the floral dinnerware that was popular for more than 40 years. Others includes James Kent, Crown Ducal, Shelley and Lord Nelson, all producing different patterns of chintz. But they all are generally characterized by an all-over floral pattern similar to the chintz cotton fabric produced in India in the 17th century.
Most of the true English pieces are marked on the bottom. If the piece isn't marked, it's most likely newer and made in Japan.
With the rise in popularity, Chintz is being reproduced now. You can purchase beautiful reproduction chintz dinnerware sets in retail stores. Just don't pay antiques prices for them. The picture frame I show in the photograph below is a reproduction. The quality isn't quite the same and a discerning eye can tell the difference. But, if you check out ebay and thrift shops, you can still find bargains on the real thing.