How do I identify an antique tea set?

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.

Antique Tea Straw

Antique Ceramic Flower

Shigaraki Jar

Shell Shaped Silver

Wabi Sabi Vase Pottery

1880s Oversized Antique Turkish Oushak Rug, West Anatolian Prayer Rug

$89,000

W 144 in L 202 in

1880s Oversized Antique Turkish Oushak Rug, West Anatolian Prayer Rug

Located in Dallas, TX

, and mauve out-lined in brick red. Complementary SW Colors and Hues: Lucent Yellow, Auric, High Tea

Category

Late 19th Century Turkish Oushak Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Wool

Recent Sales

Tea Caddy Antique Continental Pine Straw Work 18th Century

Unavailable

H 4.5 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in

Tea Caddy Antique Continental Pine Straw Work 18th Century

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Straw work tea caddy. Skilfully made from pine covered with thin natural and dyed straw to create

Category

18th Century European George III Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Pine

Fenton Bros Sheffield England Art Nouveau Pewter Tea Coffee Tray Set

Sold

H 1.19 in W 17.72 in D 10.04 in

Fenton Bros Sheffield England Art Nouveau Pewter Tea Coffee Tray Set

By Fenton Brothers

Located in Atlanta, GA

Refine English Art Nouveau polished pewter tea or coffee serving set with tray by Fenton Bros Ltd

Category

1910s British Art Nouveau Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Metal, Pewter

Set of Eight Sterling silver Shell Bowl, Iced Tea Stirring, Sipping Straws

Sold

H 0.5 in W 1 in D 7.75 in

Set of Eight Sterling silver Shell Bowl, Iced Tea Stirring, Sipping Straws

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A set of eight, sterling silver highball or iced tea hollow sipping/stirring straws with scallop

Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Highball-Ice Tea Stirring Straws, Set of Six

Sold

H 0.5 in W 1 in D 10.5 in

Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Highball-Ice Tea Stirring Straws, Set of Six

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A set of six, sterling silver highball or iced tea hollow sipping/stirring straws with embossed

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Highball or Iced Tea Heart Bowl Stirring Straws, Set of 7

Sold

H 1 in W 1 in D 7.75 in

Sterling Silver Highball or Iced Tea Heart Bowl Stirring Straws, Set of 7

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A set of seven Estate Sterling Silver highball or iced tea hollow sipping and stirring straws with

Category

1920s American Art Deco Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Acanthus Bowl Highball or Iced Tea Stirring, Sipping Straws, S/4

Sold

H 0.75 in W 1 in D 8.5 in

Sterling Silver Acanthus Bowl Highball or Iced Tea Stirring, Sipping Straws, S/4

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A set of four, sterling silver high ball or iced tea hollow sipping or stirring straws with

Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Sterling Silver

Japanese Antique Wabi-Sabi Pottery Vase 1860s-1920s / Tsubo

Sold

H 21.26 in Dm 17.72 in

Japanese Antique Wabi-Sabi Pottery Vase 1860s-1920s / Tsubo

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

was used to hold and carry tea leaves. A straw rope covers the entire vase. This was to protect it

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Pottery, Straw

Japanese Old Pottery 1800s-1860s Tsubo/Antique Flower Vase Jar Ceramic Wabisabi

Sold

H 22.05 in Dm 18.9 in L 22.05 in

Japanese Old Pottery 1800s-1860s Tsubo/Antique Flower Vase Jar Ceramic Wabisabi

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

-1860). It is used to store tea leaves. Straw with a lid is rare. The shape is beautiful and it has

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Pottery

Set of Eight Sterling Silver Highball or Iced Tea Bowl Stirring Straws

Sold

H 0.75 in W 1 in D 7.75 in

Set of Eight Sterling Silver Highball or Iced Tea Bowl Stirring Straws

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A set of eight, Aesthetic Movement sterling silver highball or iced tea hollow sipping/stirring

Category

Late 19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver High Ball or Iced Tea Leaf Stirring Straws, Set of Six

Sold

H 0.75 in W 1 in D 7.75 in

Sterling Silver High Ball or Iced Tea Leaf Stirring Straws, Set of Six

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Set of six, antique sterling silver high ball or iced tea hollow sipping/stirring straws with leaf

Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Aesthetic Movement Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Acanthus Leaf Highball or Iced Tea Stirring Straws, Set of Ten

Sold

H 0.75 in W 1 in D 8.25 in

Sterling Silver Acanthus Leaf Highball or Iced Tea Stirring Straws, Set of Ten

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A set of ten, Aesthetic Movement sterling silver high ball or iced tea hollow sipping or stirring

Category

Early 19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Highball or Iced Tea Heart Bowl Stirring Straws, Set of 12

Sold

H 0.25 in W 1 in D 8.25 in

Sterling Silver Highball or Iced Tea Heart Bowl Stirring Straws, Set of 12

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A set of twelve Sterling Silver highball or iced tea hollow sipping and stirring straws with heart

Category

Early 20th Century American International Style Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Highball or Iced Tea Heart Bowl Stirring Straws, Set of 6

Sold

H 0.25 in W 1 in D 7 in

Sterling Silver Highball or Iced Tea Heart Bowl Stirring Straws, Set of 6

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A set of six Sterling Silver highball or iced tea hollow sipping and stirring straws with heart

Category

Early 20th Century American International Style Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Sterling Silver

Extraordinary and Unique Model of a Japanese Tea House

Sold

H 20.5 in W 26 in D 15 in

Extraordinary and Unique Model of a Japanese Tea House

Located in San Francisco, CA

A wonderful Japanese model of a traditional tea house, each room with latticework sliding doors

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Straw, Wood, Paper

Japanese Antique Wabi-Sabi Large Pottery Vase 1860s-1920s / Tsubo

Sold

H 25.6 in Dm 20.87 in

Japanese Antique Wabi-Sabi Large Pottery Vase 1860s-1920s / Tsubo

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

-1920s). This large vase was used to transport and store tea leaves. A straw rope covers the entire vase

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Pottery, Straw

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Library of Antique Leatherbound Books

$3,171 / set

H 61.03 in W 31.5 in D 47.25 in

Library of Antique Leatherbound Books

Located in Brønshøj, DK

This collection consists of 400 antique decorative books, mainly dating from 1850–1950, with most published before 1920. The books are bound in leather, many with fine gold leaf embo...

Category

20th Century Danish Victorian Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Gold Leaf

Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward

$229,050Sale Price|33% Off

H 51.19 in W 55.12 in D 201.58 in

Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward

By Henry Ward

Located in Amsterdam, NL

England, third quarter of the 19th century On two scrolling foliate feet with casters, above which a rectangular two-side glazed frame, with on top a two-sided shield with initial...

Category

Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Other

Tapestry Royal Manufacture of Aubusson, Louis XVI period 1738 at the Gobelins

$99,316

W 80.71 in L 124.02 in

Tapestry Royal Manufacture of Aubusson, Louis XVI period 1738 at the Gobelins

By Aubusson Manufacture

Located in Madrid, ES

Tapestry from the Royal Manufacture of Aubusson, Louis XVI period , made in 1738 at the Gobelins One panel from a series of Gobelins tapestries depicting the Hi...

Category

Early 18th Century French Baroque Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Wool, Silk

English Axminster Rug, 1760

$450,000

W 215 in L 358 in

English Axminster Rug, 1760

Located in New York, NY

English Axminster rug. Axminster, Devon, Great Britain, circa 1760 (George III). Provenance: Baron Guy de Rothschild.

Category

Mid-18th Century English Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Wool

Fabergé Silver Service

$248,500 / set

H 10.25 in W 20.75 in D 16.38 in

Fabergé Silver Service

By Fabergé

Located in New Orleans, LA

This extraordinary 128-piece service by Fabergé is a rare treasure in more ways than one. Enclosed in its original oak chest, the exquisite service remains complete and in pristine c...

Category

19th Century Russian Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Silver

Exquisite Rotunda Structure Kiosk Copper & Carved Stone Bench Seating Columns

$290,000

H 136 in Dm 108 in

Exquisite Rotunda Structure Kiosk Copper & Carved Stone Bench Seating Columns

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Exquisite Rotunda Structure Kiosk Copper & Carved Stone Bench Seating Columns . Monumental Exquisite refined work King Charles X Period Rotunda rotundus building structure with a...

Category

Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Stone, Copper

Louis XVI Style Bunk Beds/Matching Pair of Single Beds Made by La Maison London

$13,740 / set

H 87.01 in W 41.34 in D 88.59 in

Louis XVI Style Bunk Beds/Matching Pair of Single Beds Made by La Maison London

By La Maison London

Located in London, Park Royal

Louis XVI style bunk beds, exclusive to La Maison London: Hand carved featuring a band of intricate laurel leaves along the side bars and hand finished to order (picture shows a pale...

Category

2010s British Louis XVI Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Wood

LARGE & IMPORTANT ANTiQUE CIRCA 1600 CHARLES I DOCUMENTED ENGLISH OAK TESTER BED

$108,298

H 95.08 in W 69.89 in D 95.28 in

LARGE & IMPORTANT ANTiQUE CIRCA 1600 CHARLES I DOCUMENTED ENGLISH OAK TESTER BED

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare and highly important, Museum quality, extra large framed, Documented English oak Tester bed c...

Category

Early 1600s English Jacobean Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Oak

19th Century Belgian Fireplace Mantel, Carved Bleu Granite & Marble

$391,147

H 64.97 in W 70.08 in D 18.51 in

19th Century Belgian Fireplace Mantel, Carved Bleu Granite & Marble

Located in Beervelde, BE

This fireplace surround has been built in Belgian Bleu granite with Rouge de Rochefort marble details. The caricatures are very unique with strong impressions. This is one of a kind ...

Category

19th Century Belgian Renaissance Revival Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Stone

Pair of French Walnut Library Ladders

$145,000

H 106 in W 66 in D 26 in

Pair of French Walnut Library Ladders

Located in Queens, NY

Pair of French (19th Century) walnut library ladders with side railings and steps leading to a top platform (on casters) (attributed to Napoleon III's personal library) (Related item...

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Walnut

"canopy bed" in walnut style louis XIII, period XIX .FULL RESTORED

$15,895

H 90.56 in W 86.62 in D 53.15 in

"canopy bed" in walnut style louis XIII, period XIX .FULL RESTORED

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

" lit à baldaquin " in walnut style louis XIII, period XIX completely restored for the filming of a historical film custom-made box spring and mattress new tapestry... the box sprin...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis XIII Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Walnut

Renaissance Style Oak Tester 4 Poster Bed Armorial Tapestry Bedspread King Size

$60,917

H 88.98 in W 70.87 in D 94.89 in

Renaissance Style Oak Tester 4 Poster Bed Armorial Tapestry Bedspread King Size

Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK

A vintage king size oak tester or four poster bed in the Renaissance style. Hand carved with Adam & Eve carvings in the headboard, figurative sculptures in the bedposts, three carve...

Category

Mid-20th Century English Renaissance Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Oak

Bed Tester Spanish Baroque Carved Dark Green & Gilded Leather Superking 6ft180cm

$33,843

H 70.87 in W 73.23 in D 88.19 in

Bed Tester Spanish Baroque Carved Dark Green & Gilded Leather Superking 6ft180cm

Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK

Rare, Spanish Demi-Tester, Baroque Bed With Carved, Green Painted & Gilded Posts 181cm, 6ft High, Floral Painted Leather Headboard, sold with custom made box spring mattress base, ac...

Category

1720s Spanish Baroque Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Giltwood, Paint

Domenico PuligoVirgin and Child with the Infant Saint John, Circa 1515

$345,000

H 50.13 in W 40.38 in

Virgin and Child with the Infant Saint John

By Domenico Puligo

Located in New Orleans, LA

A masterful example of Italian Mannerist painting, this exceptional panel was composed by the renowned Florentine painter Domenico Puligo. Alongside Jacopo Pontormo and Rosso Fiorent...

Category

16th Century Mannerist Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Oil, Panel

Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Service, 764 Pieces

$188,500

H 42.25 in W 36.5 in D 25.5 in

Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Service, 764 Pieces

By Gorham

Located in New Orleans, LA

This monumental American sterling silver flatware service by Gorham epitomizes the stately glamour of turn-of-the-century dining. A total of 705 pieces in the beloved Versailles patt...

Category

19th Century American Rococo Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Sterling Silver

18th Century English Antique Library Bookcase Attributed to Gillows of Lancaster

$175,017

H 113.39 in W 166.93 in D 15.75 in

18th Century English Antique Library Bookcase Attributed to Gillows of Lancaster

By Gillows of Lancaster & London

Located in Dublin, IE

A magnificent George III period seven door breakfront library bookcase. Constructed in the finest quality figured mahogany, having a moulded cornice above seven astragal glazed doors...

Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Straw

Materials

Mahogany

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Antique Tea Straw For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the antique tea straw you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each antique tea straw for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, silver and ceramic. Your living room may not be complete without an antique tea straw — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. Each antique tea straw bearing mid-century modern, Victorian or Art Deco hallmarks is very popular. Belleek Pottery Ltd., Charles Hindley & Sons and Gorham Manufacturing Company each produced at least one beautiful antique tea straw that is worth considering.

How Much is a Antique Tea Straw?

Prices for an antique tea straw can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $530 and can go as high as $59,000, while the average can fetch as much as $2,419.

Questions About Antique Tea Straw

How do I identify an antique tea set?
1 Answer
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.