Skip to main content

Breakfast Tea Set

22-Piece Colorful Ceramic Breakfast Set by Italo Casini, Sesto Fiorentino
22-Piece Colorful Ceramic Breakfast Set by Italo Casini, Sesto Fiorentino

22-Piece Colorful Ceramic Breakfast Set by Italo Casini, Sesto Fiorentino

By Italo Casini

Located in Bresso, Lombardy

Made in Italy, 1950s. This set was designed by Italo Casini. It's made in enameled and golden

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic

9-Piece White Ceramic Breakfast Set by Franco Bucci for Laboratorio Pesaro
9-Piece White Ceramic Breakfast Set by Franco Bucci for Laboratorio Pesaro

9-Piece White Ceramic Breakfast Set by Franco Bucci for Laboratorio Pesaro

By Laboratorio Pesaro

Located in Bresso, Lombardy

Made in Italy, 1950s. This set was designed byFranco Bucci for Laboratorio Pesare. It's made in

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic

Orange Glazed Ceramic Majolica Coffee or Tea Set for Four
Orange Glazed Ceramic Majolica Coffee or Tea Set for Four

Orange Glazed Ceramic Majolica Coffee or Tea Set for Four

$1,990 / set

H 8.27 in W 6.7 in D 8.27 in

Orange Glazed Ceramic Majolica Coffee or Tea Set for Four

Located in Barcelona, ES

shaped tea, coffee or breakfast serving set for four. The set is comprised by a large ceramic jug with

Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Flowery "George Sand" Breakfast Cups for 2
Flowery "George Sand" Breakfast Cups for 2

Flowery "George Sand" Breakfast Cups for 2

$411 / set

H 3.94 in Dm 7.68 in

Flowery "George Sand" Breakfast Cups for 2

By Aude Clément

Located in Paris, FR

Very original set of 2 earthenware breakfast cups in the "George Sand" set. It's named this way

Category

2010s French Tea Sets

Materials

Earthenware

Flowery "George Sand" Breakfast Cups for 2, red color
Flowery "George Sand" Breakfast Cups for 2, red color

Flowery "George Sand" Breakfast Cups for 2, red color

By Aude Clément

Located in Paris, FR

Very original set of 2 earthenware breakfast cups in the "George Sand" set. This breakfast cup

Category

2010s French Tea Sets

Materials

Earthenware

Flowery "George Sand" Breakfast Cups for 2, blue color
Flowery "George Sand" Breakfast Cups for 2, blue color

Flowery "George Sand" Breakfast Cups for 2, blue color

By Aude Clément

Located in Paris, FR

Beautiful set of 2 earthenware breakfast cups in the "George Sand" collection. This breakfast cup

Category

2010s French Tea Sets

Materials

Earthenware

Flowery "George Sand" Breakfast Cups for 2, green color
Flowery "George Sand" Breakfast Cups for 2, green color

Flowery "George Sand" Breakfast Cups for 2, green color

By Aude Clément

Located in Paris, FR

Beautiful set of 2 earthenware breakfast cups in the "George Sand" collection. This breakfast cup

Category

2010s French Tea Sets

Materials

Earthenware

Pair Gilt Green Pink Ivy and Rose Plates Cups and Saucers
Pair Gilt Green Pink Ivy and Rose Plates Cups and Saucers

Pair Gilt Green Pink Ivy and Rose Plates Cups and Saucers

$240Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 2.25 in Dm 3.38 in

Pair Gilt Green Pink Ivy and Rose Plates Cups and Saucers

By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain

Located in New York, NY

or tea sets in vibrant green and soft pink with gilt vine details and rims. Two cups and saucers and

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Recent Sales

19th Century Minton Green "Cockatrice" Breakfast Set
19th Century Minton Green "Cockatrice" Breakfast Set

19th Century Minton Green "Cockatrice" Breakfast Set

By Minton

Located in Corona Del Mar, CA

Lovely handpainted fine english Minton ten piece porcelain breakfast set in "Green Cockatrice

Category

Antique 19th Century English Tea Sets

Crown Derby Porcelain Breakfast Tea Set, White and Gilt, George III, 1782-1800
Crown Derby Porcelain Breakfast Tea Set, White and Gilt, George III, 1782-1800

Crown Derby Porcelain Breakfast Tea Set, White and Gilt, George III, 1782-1800

By Crown Derby

Located in London, GB

This is a very stunning porcelain breakfast set (also called Tête à Tête) made by the Crown Derby

Category

Antique Late 18th Century English George III Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

A Group of 10 Wedgwood Breakfast Cups, Saucers and  Tea Plates
A Group of 10 Wedgwood Breakfast Cups, Saucers and  Tea Plates

A Group of 10 Wedgwood Breakfast Cups, Saucers and Tea Plates

Located in Katonah, NY

This Wedgwood set has a bold blue and white sunburst pattern of lines radiating from the center, a

Category

Early 20th Century English Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Coalport John Rose Breakfast Tea Service, Finger and Thumb Pattern, 1803-1807
Coalport John Rose Breakfast Tea Service, Finger and Thumb Pattern, 1803-1807

Coalport John Rose Breakfast Tea Service, Finger and Thumb Pattern, 1803-1807

By John Rose, Coalport Porcelain

Located in London, GB

tea service for two like this one is often called a "breakfast set". Coalport was one of the

Category

Antique Early 1800s British George III Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Rosenthal Breakfast Set - Bigger - Cup and Saucer + Plate
Rosenthal Breakfast Set - Bigger - Cup and Saucer + Plate

Rosenthal Breakfast Set - Bigger - Cup and Saucer + Plate

Located in Chorzów, PL

Antique cup with a saucer and plate Signed: Rosenthal Very good condition, no damage. Dimensions: plate diameter: 21.5 cm / base diameter 15.5 cm / cup diameter 11.5 cm

Category

Vintage 1950s German Neoclassical Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Breakfast Set, Cup and Saucer and Plate, Steinmann Tiefenfurt
Breakfast Set, Cup and Saucer and Plate, Steinmann Tiefenfurt

Breakfast Set, Cup and Saucer and Plate, Steinmann Tiefenfurt

By Karl Steinmann

Located in Chorzów, PL

The Steinmann Tiefenfurt porcelain breakfast set dates from the period 1919-1938. Measures: Cup

Category

Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Rosenthal Breakfast Set, Smaller, Cup and Saucer and Plate
Rosenthal Breakfast Set, Smaller, Cup and Saucer and Plate

Rosenthal Breakfast Set, Smaller, Cup and Saucer and Plate

Located in Chorzów, PL

An antique cup with a saucer and a saucer - smaller Signed: Rosenthal Very good condition, no damage. Dimensions: Plate diameter 21.5 cm / base diameter 13.5 cm / cup diamet...

Category

Vintage 1950s German Neoclassical Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

HERMES, La Siesta: Tea set 28 Pieces
HERMES, La Siesta: Tea set 28 Pieces

HERMES, La Siesta: Tea set 28 Pieces

Sold

H 1.58 in Dm 2.49 in

HERMES, La Siesta: Tea set 28 Pieces

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

Hermès la SIESTA Hermès 'La Siesta' tea/breakfast set 28 pieces, including : - 6 cups and 6

Category

Late 20th Century French Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Villeroy & Boch Cascara Tea Set, Germany, 1980s
Vintage Villeroy & Boch Cascara Tea Set, Germany, 1980s

Vintage Villeroy & Boch Cascara Tea Set, Germany, 1980s

By Villeroy & Boch

Located in Bastogne, BE

, Milk Jug Vintage Villeroy & Boch Tea Set ( Breakfast Set) From the Cascara Series. White and

Category

Vintage 1980s German Mid-Century Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Porcelain Breakfast Cup Chamberlains Worcester, Dragons in Compartments
Porcelain Breakfast Cup Chamberlains Worcester, Dragons in Compartments

Porcelain Breakfast Cup Chamberlains Worcester, Dragons in Compartments

By Chamberlains Worcester

Located in London, GB

This is an impressive and rare breakfast cup made by Chamberlains in Worcester, circa 1800. The cup

Category

Antique Early 1800s English George III Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

A 19th Century Worcester Breakfast Cup with Leopard Crest
A 19th Century Worcester Breakfast Cup with Leopard Crest

A 19th Century Worcester Breakfast Cup with Leopard Crest

By Royal Worcester

Located in Katonah, NY

A large breakfast cup* for coffee or tea. The armorial crest shows a leopard before crosssed

Category

Antique 19th Century British Neoclassical Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

A Derby Breakfast Cup in an Imari Pattern
A Derby Breakfast Cup in an Imari Pattern

A Derby Breakfast Cup in an Imari Pattern

By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain

Located in Katonah, NY

This popular early 19th century Spode pattern is known by several names; "Rock and Tree", "Money Tree", "Regency", and "Tree of Life". The saucer shows a hand painted scene with a fe...

Category

Antique 19th Century British Regency Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Derby Breakfast Porcelain Coffee Cup, Regency Pattern, ca 1800
Derby Breakfast Porcelain Coffee Cup, Regency Pattern, ca 1800

Derby Breakfast Porcelain Coffee Cup, Regency Pattern, ca 1800

By Derby

Located in London, GB

large size and is therefore called a "breakfast cup". Breakfast teacups are rare, but breakfast coffee

Category

Antique Early 1800s English Regency Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Chamberlains Worcester Porcelain Breakfast Cup, Dragons in Compartments, Ca 1800
Chamberlains Worcester Porcelain Breakfast Cup, Dragons in Compartments, Ca 1800

Chamberlains Worcester Porcelain Breakfast Cup, Dragons in Compartments, Ca 1800

By Chamberlains Worcester

Located in London, GB

This is an impressive and rare breakfast cup made by Chamberlains in Worcester around 1810. The cup

Category

Antique Early 1800s English George III Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Swansea Breakfast Cup, Regency Shape with Birds and Flowers, Regency 1817-1820
Swansea Breakfast Cup, Regency Shape with Birds and Flowers, Regency 1817-1820

Swansea Breakfast Cup, Regency Shape with Birds and Flowers, Regency 1817-1820

By Swansea Porcelain

Located in London, GB

On offer is a beautiful breakfast cup and a saucer made by Swansea some time between 1817 and 1820

Category

Antique 1810s English Regency Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Royal Crown Derby Breakfast Tea Set, Imari Pattern, 1899
Royal Crown Derby Breakfast Tea Set, Imari Pattern, 1899

Royal Crown Derby Breakfast Tea Set, Imari Pattern, 1899

By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain

Located in London, GB

famous for. It was fashionable in the 19th and early 20th century to have little tea sets for two and

Category

Antique 1890s English Late Victorian Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Breakfast Set, Germany, Bavaria
Breakfast Set, Germany, Bavaria

Breakfast Set, Germany, Bavaria

Sold

H 2.37 in Dm 3.55 in

Breakfast Set, Germany, Bavaria

Located in Chorzów, PL

Breakfast set, Germany, Bavaria Measures: Cup: Height 6 cm, diameter 9 cm, Saucer: Diameter

Category

Vintage 1950s German Neoclassical Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Shelley Art Deco Breakfast Set, Trees and Sunset, 1926
Shelley Art Deco Breakfast Set, Trees and Sunset, 1926

Shelley Art Deco Breakfast Set, Trees and Sunset, 1926

By Shelley Pottery

Located in London, GB

This is a rare breakfast service made by Shelley in or shortly after 1926. The set is made in the

Category

Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

26-Piece Breakfast Set "La Bella Tavola" by Ettore Sottsass for Alessi, 1993
26-Piece Breakfast Set "La Bella Tavola" by Ettore Sottsass for Alessi, 1993

26-Piece Breakfast Set "La Bella Tavola" by Ettore Sottsass for Alessi, 1993

By Alighiero Boetti 1, Alessi, Ettore Sottsass

Located in Bresso, Lombardy

also designed by Alighiero Boetti. In this set there are - 12 coffee cups with 12 plates; - 11 tea

Category

1990s Italian Post-Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic

"Ruska" Line Tea, Coffee Set Designed by Ulla Procope for Arabia in 1960s
"Ruska" Line Tea, Coffee Set Designed by Ulla Procope for Arabia in 1960s

"Ruska" Line Tea, Coffee Set Designed by Ulla Procope for Arabia in 1960s

By Ulla Procope, Arabia

Located in Antwerp, BE

Ceramic breakfast set, tea or coffee set "Ruska" line designed by Ulla Procope for Arabia in 1960

Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Pair Dragons in Compartments Breakfast Cups and Saucers Hand Painted
Pair Dragons in Compartments Breakfast Cups and Saucers Hand Painted

Pair Dragons in Compartments Breakfast Cups and Saucers Hand Painted

By Chamberlains Worcester

Located in Katonah, NY

We are pleased to offer this pair of dragons in compartments pattern breakfast cups and saucers

Category

Antique Early 1800s European Regency Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Creamware Breakfast Service w/ Coffee Pot by Montereau, France Ca. 1830
Antique Creamware Breakfast Service w/ Coffee Pot by Montereau, France Ca. 1830

Antique Creamware Breakfast Service w/ Coffee Pot by Montereau, France Ca. 1830

By Montereau Pottery

Located in Katonah, NY

This exquisite French creamware breakfast set comprises five large breakfast cups, an open sucrier

Category

Antique 1830s French Neoclassical Tea Sets

Materials

Creamware

Nantgarw Porcelain Breakfast Cup and Saucer with Pink Roses Wales, 1813-1822
Nantgarw Porcelain Breakfast Cup and Saucer with Pink Roses Wales, 1813-1822

Nantgarw Porcelain Breakfast Cup and Saucer with Pink Roses Wales, 1813-1822

By Nantgarw China Works

Located in Katonah, NY

rare Nantgarw China Works porcelain breakfast cup and saucer made 1813-1822. The outside of the cup

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Welsh Rococo Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Special Listing for G: Lemon Ceramic Coffee Set, Orange Tureen & Bamboo Tray
Special Listing for G: Lemon Ceramic Coffee Set, Orange Tureen & Bamboo Tray

Special Listing for G: Lemon Ceramic Coffee Set, Orange Tureen & Bamboo Tray

Located in Barcelona, ES

This is a custom made listing for our client G: The set is comprised by the Ceramic Coffee / Tea

Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery, Bamboo, Wicker

Complete Belgian Art Deco Tea/Coffee Breakfast Set by Demeyere
Complete Belgian Art Deco Tea/Coffee Breakfast Set by Demeyere

Complete Belgian Art Deco Tea/Coffee Breakfast Set by Demeyere

By Demeyere

Located in Port Hope, ON

This iconic five piece Belgian Art Deco Tea/Coffee breakfast set features the scarce white Bakelite

Category

Vintage 1940s Belgian Art Deco Tea Sets

Materials

Copper

Royal Copenhagen, Blue Fluted Half Lace, Breakfast Trio
Royal Copenhagen, Blue Fluted Half Lace, Breakfast Trio

Royal Copenhagen, Blue Fluted Half Lace, Breakfast Trio

By Royal Copenhagen

Located in Heemskerk, NL

Pattern in Half Lace. The set consists of a breakfast plate (diameter 19cm) a coffee cup (height 6.5cm

Category

Vintage 1970s Danish Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Royal Copenhagen, Blue Fluted Half Lace, Breakfast Trio
Royal Copenhagen, Blue Fluted Half Lace, Breakfast Trio

Royal Copenhagen, Blue Fluted Half Lace, Breakfast Trio

By Royal Copenhagen

Located in Heemskerk, NL

pattern in half lace. The set consists of a breakfast plate (diameter 19cm) a coffee cup (height 6.5cm

Category

Vintage 1980s Danish Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-Century Tudor Knight Stainless Steel Breakfast Tea Coffee Set Service, 60s
Mid-Century Tudor Knight Stainless Steel Breakfast Tea Coffee Set Service, 60s

Mid-Century Tudor Knight Stainless Steel Breakfast Tea Coffee Set Service, 60s

Located in Leamington Spa, GB

' and made by 'Tudor Knight'. Complete with an elegant coffee pot, tea pot, milk jug and sugar pot

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Stainless Steel

English Mid-Century Six-Piece Insulated Breakfast Set by P, B & B and Kozy Kraft
English Mid-Century Six-Piece Insulated Breakfast Set by P, B & B and Kozy Kraft

English Mid-Century Six-Piece Insulated Breakfast Set by P, B & B and Kozy Kraft

By Perry, Bevan & Co.

Located in Port Hope, ON

This iconic English Mid-Century Modern, six-piece "insulated" breakfast set combines items from

Category

Vintage 1940s English Mid-Century Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Chrome

People Also Browsed

Pink Majolica Ceramic Dessert / Breakfast Service Set for Four
Pink Majolica Ceramic Dessert / Breakfast Service Set for Four

Pink Majolica Ceramic Dessert / Breakfast Service Set for Four

By Secla

Located in Barcelona, ES

A lovely Majolica pink glazed ceramic set of 12 pieces: four large plates, four small plates and four serving bowls. The set has a lovely pale pink color with details in white and ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic

Majolica Glazed Ceramic Lemons Pitcher / Jug, Spain 1960s
Majolica Glazed Ceramic Lemons Pitcher / Jug, Spain 1960s

Majolica Glazed Ceramic Lemons Pitcher / Jug, Spain 1960s

$1,215Sale Price|20% Off

H 11.82 in W 9.06 in D 8.67 in

Majolica Glazed Ceramic Lemons Pitcher / Jug, Spain 1960s

Located in Barcelona, ES

Eye-catching realistic Majolica lemons jug / pitcher in multicolor glazed ceramic, Spain, 1950s-1960s. Hand-painted Manises ceramic decorative jug in the shape of a bunch of lemons ...

Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Jars

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Set of Aubergine Eggplant Majolica Ceramic Tureen Centerpiece, 6 Bowls & Shakers
Set of Aubergine Eggplant Majolica Ceramic Tureen Centerpiece, 6 Bowls & Shakers

Set of Aubergine Eggplant Majolica Ceramic Tureen Centerpiece, 6 Bowls & Shakers

Located in Barcelona, ES

Stunning Tableware serving set eggplant design. Italy, 1960s. One of a kind majolica ceramic tableware set of pieces. The set is comprised by: 1 large eggplant tureen centerpiece 6 a...

Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Soup Tureens

Materials

Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Breakfast Tea Set", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Breakfast Tea Set For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the breakfast tea set you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Frequently made of ceramic, porcelain and metal, every breakfast tea set was constructed with great care. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect breakfast tea set — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A breakfast tea set is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Neoclassical, Regency and Georgian styles are sought with frequency. A well-made breakfast tea set has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Chamberlains Worcester, Royal Copenhagen and Royal Crown Derby Porcelain are consistently popular.

How Much is a Breakfast Tea Set?

The average selling price for a breakfast tea set at 1stDibs is $613, while they’re typically $20 on the low end and $3,500 for the highest priced.

Finding the Right Tea-sets for You

Ready to serve high tea and brunch for your family and friends? Start with the right antique, new or vintage tea set.

Tea is a multicultural, multinational beverage and isn’t confined to any particular lifestyle or age group. It has humble beginnings, and one of its best-known origin stories places the first cups of tea in 2700 B.C. in China, where it was recognized for its medicinal properties. Jump ahead to 17th-century England, when Chinese tea began to arrive at ports in London. During the early 1800s, tea became widely affordable, and the concept of teatime took shape all over England. Today, more than 150 million people reportedly drink tea daily in the United States.

Early tea drinkers enjoyed their beverage in a bowl, and English potters eventually added a handle to the porcelain bowls so that burning your fingers became less of a teatime hazard. With the rise in the popularity of teatime, tea sets, also referred to as tea service, became a hot commodity.

During Queen Victoria’s reign, teakettles and coffeepots were added to tea services that were quite large — indeed, small baked goods were served with your drink back then, and a tea set could include many teacups and saucers, a milk pot and other accessories.

During the early 1920s, a sterling-silver full tea service and tray designed by Tiffany & Co. might include a hot-water kettle on a stand, a coffeepot, teapot, a creamer with a small lip spout, a waste bowl and a bowl for sugar, which the British were stirring into tea as early as the 18th century.

But you don’t have to limit your tea set to Victorian or Art Deco styles — shake up teatime with an artful contemporary service. If the bold porcelain cups and saucers by Italian brand Seletti are too unconventional for your otherwise subdued tea circle, find antique services on 1stDibs from Japan, France and other locales as well as vintage mid-century modern tea sets and neoclassical designs.

Questions About Breakfast Tea Set
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A Bavaria tea set is a tea set that was crafted in the Bavaria region of Germany. This region is renowned for its exceptionally fine porcelain. Pieces are often painted by hand, giving each one a unique style. Shop a range of Bavaria tea sets from top sellers around the world on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
    There are many types of tea sets available. You may wish to have a small tea service if your needs are modest. During Queen Victoria’s reign, teakettles and coffeepots were added to tea services that were quite large — indeed, small baked goods were served with your drink back then, and a tea set could include many teacups and saucers, a milk pot and other accessories.A tea set best suited for you may depend on a variety of factors. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage tea sets.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A Japanese teapot is called a kyusus, while the everyday drinking glasses for tea are called yunomi. For more formal occasions, a chawan tea bowl is used. You can shop a range of antique and vintage Japanese tea sets from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 20, 2024
    To identify vintage tea sets, first determine who the maker is. Locate the brand stamp or hallmark on one of the pieces. If you snap a photo with your smartphone or tablet, you can conduct a reverse image search to jump-start your research. By using trusted online resources, you can match the marking to the manufacturer's name and, from there, identify the pattern and age. Generally, a tea set must have been produced between 20 and 99 years ago to be considered vintage. For help with identification, seek out a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. Find a selection of vintage tea sets on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The pieces in a silver tea set vary. Most sets include at least four pieces: a spirit burner, a teapot, a cream pitcher and a sugar bowl. Some sets also contain a matching coffee pot or a small serving spoon for the sugar bowl. Find a range of antique and vintage silver tea sets on 1stDibs.
  • 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
    The value of a sterling silver tea set is based on age, maker, and the pieces included. A set can start at $1,000, but the value can be a wide range. If it is sterling, it should have a hallmark of .925. This indicates that the piece is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper alloy. The more pieces in the set, the more it is likely to be worth in some cases. Find a collection of antique and vintage sterling silver tea sets on 1stDibs today.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024
    To know how much your tea set is worth, you can consult a certified appraiser or other knowledgeable expert or research it on your own. If you opt for the latter option, start by using trusted online resources to determine who the set's maker is. Typically, you can use markings that commonly appear on the bottoms of teapots, saucers, teacups and other pieces. Once you know the maker, you can examine sales and auction records to see how much sets similar to yours have fetched in the past. Characteristics to consider when investigating comparable sets include the type and number of pieces yours includes, as well as the materials, pattern, age and condition. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of tea sets.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Silver is a chemically non-reactive metal, so as long as the tea set is clean and has been properly cared for, it is safe to use. However, silver is an excellent conductor of heat, so be careful not to burn your lips or tongue whilst drinking tea. Shop a collection of authentic silver tea sets from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Silver tea sets can range in value depending on a variety of factors. A silver-plated tea set is not usually very high value, though certain pieces and who the maker is plays a large role. A sterling silver set can be worth at least $1000.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    A basic sterling silver tea set costs around $1,000. However, the older the set is, the more expensive it will be. Some antique silver tea sets are worth up to $400,000.