This is a set of vintage, 20th century, late 1930s - 1940s hand painted porcelain china for dining. Originally each of the pieces would have been purchased as a 'white' or 'blank' ware. Most porcelain white wares were produced for export in Germany and Limoges, France. The blanks were then painted by hand in a floral blossom decoration by Louise M.B. Elam and were even signed and dated by her. Painting porcelain wares was a common past time for women in the late 19th through mid 20th centuries. Some even earned 'pocket money' for their hobbyist talent. Although the gold is real, there is no longer a precious metal meltdown value as the cost to extract the gold would exceed the value of the amount extracted. The fine china for dining market is currently slumped. Sets do not sell for what they used to sell for a few decades ago and the market was further impacted by the Recession.