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Set of 12 Lenox Green & Ivory Dessert Plates with Silver Overlay Borders, 1920s
Set of 12 Lenox Green & Ivory Dessert Plates with Silver Overlay Borders, 1920s

Set of 12 Lenox Green & Ivory Dessert Plates with Silver Overlay Borders, 1920s

By Lenox's Ceramic Art Company

Located in Great Barrington, MA

just listed, is this set of 12 Lenox dessert or salad plates with silver overlay borders. It's as if

Category

1920s American Arts and Crafts Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Silver 800 Cutlery Set Klinkosch Austria 191 Pieces Form 184  12 Persons 1890
Silver 800 Cutlery Set Klinkosch Austria 191 Pieces Form 184  12 Persons 1890

Silver 800 Cutlery Set Klinkosch Austria 191 Pieces Form 184 12 Persons 1890

By Mayerhofer & Klinkosch

Located in Vienna, AT

SET: 12 FORKS UND 12 KNIVES DESSERT SET: 12 DESSERT FORKS, 12 DESSERT KNIVES 12 ICE SPOONS 12

Category

1890s Austrian Other Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Silver

Set of 12 Antique Limoges France Dessert Plates Gilt Medallion Center Gold Band
Set of 12 Antique Limoges France Dessert Plates Gilt Medallion Center Gold Band

Set of 12 Antique Limoges France Dessert Plates Gilt Medallion Center Gold Band

By Martial Redon

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A lovely Circa 1890 set of dessert plates by the Limoges Factory M Redon. This group features a

Category

1890s French Belle Époque Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Gold

Set 58 Antique English Imari Dishes Dinner Plates Soup/Pasta Bowls Salad/Dessert
Set 58 Antique English Imari Dishes Dinner Plates Soup/Pasta Bowls Salad/Dessert

Set 58 Antique English Imari Dishes Dinner Plates Soup/Pasta Bowls Salad/Dessert

By Coalport Porcelain

Located in Katonah, NY

A set of beautiful, hand-painted Coalport Porcelain Imari dishes consisting of: two dozen dinner

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 18 Copeland Aesthetic Movement Cobalt Blue and Raised Gold Dessert Plates
Set of 18 Copeland Aesthetic Movement Cobalt Blue and Raised Gold Dessert Plates

Set of 18 Copeland Aesthetic Movement Cobalt Blue and Raised Gold Dessert Plates

By Copeland

Located in Great Barrington, MA

This is an exceptional and rare set of 19th century Copeland dessert plates with irregularly shaped

Category

Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Gold

Set of 12 Antique English Geo. Jones Hand Ptd, Porcelain Luncheon/Dessert Plates
Set of 12 Antique English Geo. Jones Hand Ptd, Porcelain Luncheon/Dessert Plates

Set of 12 Antique English Geo. Jones Hand Ptd, Porcelain Luncheon/Dessert Plates

By George Jones & Sons

Located in CHARLESTON, SC

Fabulous quality antique English "George Jones designed" set of twelve (12) hand painted "Peony

Category

Early 20th Century English Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 11 Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver English King Dessert/Oval Soup Spoons
Set of 11 Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver English King Dessert/Oval Soup Spoons

Set of 11 Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver English King Dessert/Oval Soup Spoons

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Washington Depot, CT

Set of 11 antique sterling silver dessert/oval soup spoons by Tiffany & Co in the English King

Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of 11 Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver English King Dessert/Oval Soup Spoons
Set of 11 Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver English King Dessert/Oval Soup Spoons

Set of 11 Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver English King Dessert/Oval Soup Spoons

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Washington Depot, CT

Set of 11 antique sterling silver dessert/oval soup spoons by Tiffany & Co in the English King

Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of 8 Blue Canton Rice Ware Salad or Dessert Plates, Chinese Export
Set of 8 Blue Canton Rice Ware Salad or Dessert Plates, Chinese Export

Set of 8 Blue Canton Rice Ware Salad or Dessert Plates, Chinese Export

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Set of 8 Blue Canton Rice Ware Salad or Dessert Plates, Chinese export, circa 1900-1925. Combining

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Ceramic

Set of 12 Old American Theo. B. Starr Cast Sterling "Bright Cut" Dessert Forks
Set of 12 Old American Theo. B. Starr Cast Sterling "Bright Cut" Dessert Forks

Set of 12 Old American Theo. B. Starr Cast Sterling "Bright Cut" Dessert Forks

By Theodore B. Starr

Located in CHARLESTON, SC

Set of 12 exquisite old American sterling "Bright Cut" hand engraved dessert forks. This set of

Category

Early 20th Century American Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set 12 Minton Pink Raised Gold Dessert or Salad Plates, Antique circa 1910
Set 12 Minton Pink Raised Gold Dessert or Salad Plates, Antique circa 1910

Set 12 Minton Pink Raised Gold Dessert or Salad Plates, Antique circa 1910

By Minton

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

pieces. This set of 12 plates is from the storied firm of Minton's England and features raised tooled

Category

1910s British Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Gold, Enamel

A Set of a Dozen French Old Paris Armorial Dessert Plates with Fruit
A Set of a Dozen French Old Paris Armorial Dessert Plates with Fruit

A Set of a Dozen French Old Paris Armorial Dessert Plates with Fruit

By Feuillet

Located in Katonah, NY

A group of a dozen Paris Porcelain dishes each with an individual beatifully painted fruit, pink border, and armorial. 10 plates showing fruits 2 plates showing flowers. Made by F...

Category

19th Century French Restauration Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Ten Green Glass Gilt Dessert Bowls, Val Saint Lambert, circa 1920s
Set of Ten Green Glass Gilt Dessert Bowls, Val Saint Lambert, circa 1920s

Set of Ten Green Glass Gilt Dessert Bowls, Val Saint Lambert, circa 1920s

By Val Saint Lambert

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A classic and elegant pattern from the storied Belgium manufacturer. The gilded figures are on a finely done acid etched background and the green glass is crisply cut to the clear. A...

Category

1920s Belgian Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Crystal, Gold

Set of 12 Belle Époque Cut Glass and Gilt Dessert Plates, circa 1890–1910
Set of 12 Belle Époque Cut Glass and Gilt Dessert Plates, circa 1890–1910

Set of 12 Belle Époque Cut Glass and Gilt Dessert Plates, circa 1890–1910

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Set of 12 Belle Époque Cut Glass and Gilt Dessert Plates, circa 1890–1910 6.5 in. diameter x 0.75

Category

Late 19th Century European Belle Époque Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Crystal

Set of 4 Bloor Derby Dinner Plates, 1825-1830
Set of 4 Bloor Derby Dinner Plates, 1825-1830

Set of 4 Bloor Derby Dinner Plates, 1825-1830

By Bloor Derby

Located in London, GB

still producing fabulous tea and dinner/dessert sets. You can see some of those imperfections on these

Category

1820s English Regency Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Coalport Set of 2 Oval Dessert Dishes, Beige with Flowers by Thomas Dixon, 1847
Coalport Set of 2 Oval Dessert Dishes, Beige with Flowers by Thomas Dixon, 1847

Coalport Set of 2 Oval Dessert Dishes, Beige with Flowers by Thomas Dixon, 1847

By Coalport Porcelain

Located in London, GB

This is a set of two beautiful oval dessert serving dishes made by Coalport in about 1847 and

Category

1840s English Victorian Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 12 Rice Ware Dessert or Salad Plates, Chinese Export, circa 1900-1925
Set of 12 Rice Ware Dessert or Salad Plates, Chinese Export, circa 1900-1925

Set of 12 Rice Ware Dessert or Salad Plates, Chinese Export, circa 1900-1925

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Set of 12 Rice Ware Dessert or Salad Plates, Chinese export, circa 1900-1925. Central decoration

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Ceramic

Flight Barr Barr Worcester Porcelain Dessert Compote
Flight Barr Barr Worcester Porcelain Dessert Compote

Flight Barr Barr Worcester Porcelain Dessert Compote

By Flight, Barr & Barr Worcester

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Ellingham, Norfolk (see second image). Please contact us to learn more about this set of dessert dishes

Category

Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Late 19th Century Kutani Style Dessert Plates
Late 19th Century Kutani Style Dessert Plates

Late 19th Century Kutani Style Dessert Plates

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Set of 12 dessert plates late 19th century, European in the Kutani style. Likely Bohemian; pseudo

Category

Late 19th Century Czech Bohemian Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Ceramic

A Set of Dishes: A Dessert Service with Cobalt Blue and a Basket of Flowers
A Set of Dishes: A Dessert Service with Cobalt Blue and a Basket of Flowers

A Set of Dishes: A Dessert Service with Cobalt Blue and a Basket of Flowers

Located in Katonah, NY

Each dish of this dessert service shows a well painted scene of spring flowers in a basket under a

Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 12 Spode for Tiffany Raised Gold and Pink Rose Du Barry Dessert Plates
Set of 12 Spode for Tiffany Raised Gold and Pink Rose Du Barry Dessert Plates

Set of 12 Spode for Tiffany Raised Gold and Pink Rose Du Barry Dessert Plates

By Copeland Spode

Located in Great Barrington, MA

This is an exquisite set of Spode Copelands dessert plates made exclusively for Tiffany's, with all

Category

1910s English Neoclassical Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Minton Victorian Porcelain Part Dessert Service
Antique Minton Victorian Porcelain Part Dessert Service

Antique Minton Victorian Porcelain Part Dessert Service

Located in Worcester, GB

– Circa 1870-1900 A charming part dessert service by Minton, this set includes 6 plates, 1 comport, and 1

Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Porcelain

A set of six George III Bright Cut Dessert Spoons made in London in 1787
A set of six George III Bright Cut Dessert Spoons made in London in 1787

A set of six George III Bright Cut Dessert Spoons made in London in 1787

Located in London, GB

The Spoons are made in the Old English Pattern and the stems are beautifully decorated with bright cut bands and display an oval cartouche, at the top of the stem, containing a conte...

Category

18th Century and Earlier English Antique Dessert Sets

Exceptional 19th C. Spode "Tumbledown Dick" Dessert Service
Exceptional 19th C. Spode "Tumbledown Dick" Dessert Service

Exceptional 19th C. Spode "Tumbledown Dick" Dessert Service

Located in Great Barrington, MA

pattern. This set includes 12 dessert plates, footed centerpiece or fruit bowl, pierced basket and

Category

19th Century English Antique Dessert Sets

19-Piece Wedgwood Pearlware Dessert Service-Aesthetic Movement Japonism
19-Piece Wedgwood Pearlware Dessert Service-Aesthetic Movement Japonism

19-Piece Wedgwood Pearlware Dessert Service-Aesthetic Movement Japonism

By Wedgwood

Located in Great Barrington, MA

movement/Chinoiserie. The set has eight dessert plates, two covered sauce tureens with stands, Nautilus

Category

19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Pearlware

Tiffany & Co. Lap over Edge Dessert Service, 24 Pieces
Tiffany & Co. Lap over Edge Dessert Service, 24 Pieces

Tiffany & Co. Lap over Edge Dessert Service, 24 Pieces

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in New Orleans, LA

Crafted by the inimitable Tiffany & Co., this incredible 24-piece lap over edge silver dessert

Category

19th Century American Other Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Silver

Antique Sterling Silver and Mother of Pearl Dessert Service
Antique Sterling Silver and Mother of Pearl Dessert Service

Antique Sterling Silver and Mother of Pearl Dessert Service

By William Hutton & Sons

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

dessert cutlery set for twelve persons – boxed, an addition to our dining silverware collection. This

Category

1910s British Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Sterling Silver

Silver Baroque Style 190-Piece Flatware Cutlery 24 Pers. Koch & Bergfeld c.1900
Silver Baroque Style 190-Piece Flatware Cutlery 24 Pers. Koch & Bergfeld c.1900

Silver Baroque Style 190-Piece Flatware Cutlery 24 Pers. Koch & Bergfeld c.1900

By Koch & Bergfeld

Located in Vienna, AT

inches). Dessert set: 24 coffee spoons length: 14.0 cm (5.51 inches). 12 mocha spoons length: 10.5

Category

Early 1900s German Baroque Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Silver

Dessert Plate Bloor Derby, Neoclassical Pattern, 1815-1820 '2'
Dessert Plate Bloor Derby, Neoclassical Pattern, 1815-1820 '2'

Dessert Plate Bloor Derby, Neoclassical Pattern, 1815-1820 '2'

By Bloor Derby

Located in London, GB

. The plate has a beautiful neoclassical decoration. We have a large dessert service, a set of 4

Category

1810s English Neoclassical Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Bloor Derby Dessert Plate, Neoclassical Pattern, 1815-1820 '1'
Bloor Derby Dessert Plate, Neoclassical Pattern, 1815-1820 '1'

Bloor Derby Dessert Plate, Neoclassical Pattern, 1815-1820 '1'

By Bloor Derby

Located in London, GB

. The plate has a beautiful Neoclassical decoration. We have a large dessert service, a set of 4

Category

1810s English Neoclassical Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Bloor Derby Dessert Service, Neoclassical Pattern, Regency 1815-1820
Bloor Derby Dessert Service, Neoclassical Pattern, Regency 1815-1820

Bloor Derby Dessert Service, Neoclassical Pattern, Regency 1815-1820

By Bloor Derby

Located in London, GB

dishes, two square shell dishes, and eight dessert plates. We have another set of 4 plates available

Category

1810s English Neoclassical Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Eleven Antique Sterling Silver Dessert Cups with Glass Inserts c1920
Eleven Antique Sterling Silver Dessert Cups with Glass Inserts c1920

Eleven Antique Sterling Silver Dessert Cups with Glass Inserts c1920

Located in Big Flats, NY

/8" x 3 1/2". A set of eleven dessert cups crafted with intricate detailing typical of early 20th

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Silver

Striking Black and Gold Dessert Service 34 Pcs. Antique Royal Worcester England
Striking Black and Gold Dessert Service 34 Pcs. Antique Royal Worcester England

Striking Black and Gold Dessert Service 34 Pcs. Antique Royal Worcester England

By Royal Worcester

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Age firm of Bailey, Banks and Biddle Philadelphia. This set would be perfect for dessert, cheese and

Category

Early 1900s British Neoclassical Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Gold, Enamel

22 Pieces Antique Venetian Glass Dessert Coupes and Plates, Pink, circa 1900
22 Pieces Antique Venetian Glass Dessert Coupes and Plates, Pink, circa 1900

22 Pieces Antique Venetian Glass Dessert Coupes and Plates, Pink, circa 1900

By Salviati

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An exquisite set of 11 dessert coupes and 11 matching dessert under plates in a pretty pink color

Category

Early 1900s Italian Belle Époque Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Antique Sterling Silver Gilt Mother of Pearl Dessert Service for 24 Persons
Antique Sterling Silver Gilt Mother of Pearl Dessert Service for 24 Persons

Antique Sterling Silver Gilt Mother of Pearl Dessert Service for 24 Persons

By John Rodgers & Co.

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

. This exceptional antique George IV sterling silver gilt dessert flatware set / service for twenty-four

Category

1820s English George IV Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique George V Sterling Silver and Mother of Pearl Fruit/Dessert Service
Antique George V Sterling Silver and Mother of Pearl Fruit/Dessert Service

Antique George V Sterling Silver and Mother of Pearl Fruit/Dessert Service

By Harrison Brothers & George Howson 1

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

fruit/dessert cutlery set for 12 persons, boxed; an addition to our dining silverware collection

Category

1920s English Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

A set of six George III Old English Pattern Dessert Spoons amde in London in 1796 by William Eley & William Fearn.
A set of six George III Old English Pattern Dessert Spoons amde in London in 1796 by William Eley & William Fearn.

A set of six George III Old English Pattern Dessert Spoons amde in London in 1796 by William Eley & William Fearn.

Located in London, GB

The Spoons are made in the Old English Pattern, have good bowls and are engraved at the top of each stem with a contemporary Scottish Crest with the Motto, SPERO, above. Each piece i...

Category

18th Century and Earlier English Antique Dessert Sets

H. Boulenger Choisy-le-Roi Transferware Rebus Picture Puzzle Dessert Plates S/6
H. Boulenger Choisy-le-Roi Transferware Rebus Picture Puzzle Dessert Plates S/6

H. Boulenger Choisy-le-Roi Transferware Rebus Picture Puzzle Dessert Plates S/6

By Choisy-le-Roi

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A set of six French Rebus puzzle dessert plates, transfer printed in black on a white semi

Category

Mid-19th Century French French Provincial Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Chinese Export Silver 12 Person Dessert Cutlery, Luen Wo, c.1880
19th Century Chinese Export Silver 12 Person Dessert Cutlery, Luen Wo, c.1880

19th Century Chinese Export Silver 12 Person Dessert Cutlery, Luen Wo, c.1880

By Luen Wo

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Antique late-19th Century Chinese export solid silver 12 person dessert cutlery set, of traditional

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Silver

Sterling Silver and Mother of Pearl Gilt Fruit or Dessert Service for 24 Persons
Sterling Silver and Mother of Pearl Gilt Fruit or Dessert Service for 24 Persons

Sterling Silver and Mother of Pearl Gilt Fruit or Dessert Service for 24 Persons

By Harrison Brothers & George Howson 1

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

sterling silver gilt and mother of pearl fruit/dessert flatware set / service consists of twenty four

Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Silver

Set of 12 KPM Handpainted Art Nouveau Raised Paste Gold Plates
Set of 12 KPM Handpainted Art Nouveau Raised Paste Gold Plates

Set of 12 KPM Handpainted Art Nouveau Raised Paste Gold Plates

By K.P.M. Berlin

Located in Great Barrington, MA

This magnificent set of 12 dessert plates exhibit KPM's finest craftsmanship in 4 different

Category

Early 20th Century German Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Eight Sets Antique Moser Crystal Bowls with Engraved Decoration, 16 Pcs
Eight Sets Antique Moser Crystal Bowls with Engraved Decoration, 16 Pcs

Eight Sets Antique Moser Crystal Bowls with Engraved Decoration, 16 Pcs

By Moser Glassworks

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A high quality antique set of dessert or fruit bowls with their matching under plates. We attribute

Category

Early 1900s Czech Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Crystal, Gold

Chamberlains Worcester Set of Plates, Orange, Paintings by H. Chamberlain, 1815
Chamberlains Worcester Set of Plates, Orange, Paintings by H. Chamberlain, 1815

Chamberlains Worcester Set of Plates, Orange, Paintings by H. Chamberlain, 1815

By Humphrey Chamberlain, Chamberlains Worcester

Located in London, GB

This is a stunning set of 8 dessert plates made by Chamberlains Worcester in about 1815. The plates

Category

1810s English Regency Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Porcelain

A Set of 12 Plates, Antique Limoges Vibrant Yellow and Floral Bouquet Design
A Set of 12 Plates, Antique Limoges Vibrant Yellow and Floral Bouquet Design

A Set of 12 Plates, Antique Limoges Vibrant Yellow and Floral Bouquet Design

By Tressemanes & Vogt

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An interesting and vibrant set of dessert or first course plates by the re known Limoges France

Category

1910s French Art Nouveau Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Enamel

Set of 2 Chamberlain Worcester Plates, Armorial Phoenix, George III, 1794-1811
Set of 2 Chamberlain Worcester Plates, Armorial Phoenix, George III, 1794-1811

Set of 2 Chamberlain Worcester Plates, Armorial Phoenix, George III, 1794-1811

By Chamberlains Worcester

Located in London, GB

This is a wonderful set of two dessert plates made by Chamberlain Worcester between 1794 and 1811

Category

Early 19th Century English George III Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Antique French Napoleon III Period Burlwood Box Cave a Liqueur Decanter Set
Antique French Napoleon III Period Burlwood Box Cave a Liqueur Decanter Set

Antique French Napoleon III Period Burlwood Box Cave a Liqueur Decanter Set

Located in Forney, TX

: After dinner dessert liqueur service set tantalus bar box liquour caddy liquor cabinet chest decanter

Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Ormolu, Bronze

Minton Set of Six Plates, White with Essex Birds, Aesthetic Movement 1888
Minton Set of Six Plates, White with Essex Birds, Aesthetic Movement 1888

Minton Set of Six Plates, White with Essex Birds, Aesthetic Movement 1888

By Minton

Located in London, GB

This is a beautiful set of six dessert plates made by Minton in 1888. The plates have a white

Category

1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Dessert Sets

Materials

Porcelain

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Antique Dessert Sets For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of antique dessert sets is available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, ceramic and silver, all antique dessert sets available were constructed with great care. There are all kinds of antique dessert sets available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. Antique dessert sets made by Rococo designers — as well as those associated with Art Nouveau — are very popular at 1stDibs. Many antique dessert sets are appealing in their simplicity, but Emile Puiforcat, Meissen Porcelain and Wedgwood produced popular antique dessert sets that are worth a look.

How Much are Antique Dessert Sets?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $1,450, while they’re typically $62 on the low end and $55,000 highest priced.

Finding the Right Dining-entertaining for You

Your dining room table is a place where stories are shared and personalities shine — why not treat yourself and your guests to the finest antique and vintage glass, silver, ceramics and serveware for your meals?

Just like the people who sit around your table, your serveware has its own stories and will help you create new memories with your friends and loved ones. From ceramic pottery to glass vases, set your table with serving pieces that add even more personality, color and texture to your dining experience.

Invite serveware from around the world to join your table settings. For special occasions, dress up your plates with a striking Imari charger from 19th-century Japan or incorporate Richard Ginori’s Italian porcelain plates into your dining experience. Celebrate the English ritual of afternoon tea with a Japanese tea set and an antique Victorian kettle. No matter how big or small your dining area is, there is room for the stories of many cultures and varied histories, and there are plenty of ways to add pizzazz to your meals.

Add different textures and colors to your table with dinner plates and pitchers of ceramic and silver or a porcelain lidded tureen, a serving dish with side handles that is often used for soups. Although porcelain and ceramic are both made in a kiln, porcelain is made with more refined clay and is more durable than ceramic because it is denser. The latter is ideal for statement pieces — your tall mid-century modern ceramic vase is a guaranteed conversation starter. And while your earthenware or stoneware is maybe better suited to everyday lunches as opposed to the fine bone china you’ve reserved for a holiday meal, handcrafted studio pottery coffee mugs can still be a rich expression of your personal style.

“My motto is ‘Have fun with it,’” says author and celebrated hostess Stephanie Booth Shafran. “It’s yin and yang, high and low, Crate & Barrel with Christofle silver. I like to mix it up — sometimes in the dining room, sometimes on the kitchen banquette, sometimes in the loggia. It transports your guests and makes them feel more comfortable and relaxed.”

Introduce elegance at supper with silver, such as a platter from celebrated Massachusetts silversmith manufacturer Reed and Barton or a regal copper-finish flatware set designed by International Silver Company, another New England company that was incorporated in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1898. By then, Meriden had already earned the nickname “Silver City” for its position as a major hub of silver manufacturing.

At the bar, try a vintage wine cooler to keep bottles cool before serving or an Art Deco decanter and whiskey set for after-dinner drinks — there are many possibilities and no wrong answers for tableware, barware and serveware. Explore an expansive collection of antique and vintage glass, ceramics, silver and serveware today on 1stDibs.

Questions About Antique Dessert Sets
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 5, 2024
    To identify an antique tea set, look closely to determine who the manufacturer is. Locate the hallmark on the bottom of a saucer, teapot or cup. A maker’s mark on one of these items is the best indicator of the set’s origin. If you snap a photo with your smartphone or tablet, you can conduct a reverse image search to jump-start your research. Professionals recommend consulting auction catalogs, books and trusted online resources such as museum exhibition materials. With some research, you may be able to match the marking to the manufacturer's name and, from there, identify the pattern and age. 

    In 17th-century England, Chinese tea began to arrive at ports in London. Mass production of porcelain tea sets took place in the 18th century, and during the early 1800s, tea became widely affordable, and the concept of teatime took shape all over England

    Reputable soft-paste porcelain makers include Sèvres, Capodimonte and Chelsea, while Meissen was the first European maker of hard-paste porcelain. Bone china manufactories of note include Spode, Minton and Derby, which was later called the Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company.

    Generally, a tea set is considered vintage if it’s at least 20 years old, while antiques are at least 100 years old. Although a maker’s mark is generally a helpful indicator of a given manufacturer, forgeries have occurred over the years. Look for other signifiers of a material, time period or style if you are uncertain of your piece’s origin. For help with identification, seek out a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer.

    Find antique tea sets on 1stDibs.