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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.
- What is a wedding Cup?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021A wedding cup has a swiveling cup and a hollow dress which allows both the bride and groom to drink simultaneously. It is used for a toast and a trial for the bride and the groom. Find a collection of vintage and antique wedding cups on 1stDibs.
- What is a china cup?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Bone china cups are made from a type of porcelain consisting of bone ash, kaolin and feldspathic material, and it contains a minimum of 30% phosphate from animal bone.
- What are stirrup cups used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Stirrup cups were traditionally used for giving a drink to someone on horseback. Most often, people presented them to those about to depart for hunts. As a result, many have deer, fox, dog or duck etchings. Find a variety of stirrup cups on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A demitasse cup is used for serving Turkish coffee or espresso. In French, demitasse translates to “half cup,” and therefore holds between 2-3 ounces of liquid.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A demitasse is half the cup of a traditional mug. Demitasses usually come with accompanying saucers.
- What are espresso cups called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Espresso cups are called demitasses. The name means "half cup" in French and refers to the small size of the drinkware. Most demitasses hold 2-3 ounces of liquid, making them roughly half the size of mugs used to serve coffee. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of demitasses.
- What is a stirrup cup used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A stirrup cup is a drink or parting cup that’s given to guests when they’re leaving. This goes back to when guests would leave on horseback, literally with their feet in stirrups. Stirrup cups are also often tied to a hunt and handed to hunters as they arrive home or leave for a hunt. Find an assortment of stirrup cups from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The tradition of the loving cup involves two people drinking out of the double-handled cup at the same time. It is a common part of Scottish wedding ceremonies and symbolizes the intimacy and selflessness that come with marriage. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of loving cups.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A loving cup was originally a drinking cup that was designed to be shared at banquets, weddings and other celebrations. It featured two handles to make it easier to pass along. Cups would also be used as trophies, and led to the classic double-handled cup trophy shape. Shop an array of loving cups from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021Japanese tea cups are usually called Yunomi, which are cylindrical in shape. They do not have any handles. These tea cups are made of ceramic materials and are the most common tea cups used in Japan. Grab your unique Yunomi tea cups on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Traditionally, hot beverages presented as small servings are served in a demitasse cup. Examples include single and double shots of espresso and other strong coffee drinks like Greek and Turkish coffee. Find a range of antique and vintage demitasse cups on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The tin cup necklace got its name after this delicate pearl necklace became famous for being worn by actress Rene Russo, who starred in the movie Tin Cup. On 1stDibs, find an array of tin cup necklaces to enliven your look.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Handleless tea cups are called “sipper cups”, and are probably the oldest form of tea cups. There’s also a proper way to use them - two fingers on the bottom and your thumb on top of the cup. On 1stDibs, find vintage and contemporary tea cups from some of the top sellers around the world.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021While a little copper exposure can be healthy, too much may be bad for your health and more acidic liquids can leech more copper out of the cup but this is still highly unlikely. You can also find unlined copper cups to be extra safe.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The cup that a king drinks out of is known as a chalice. In addition to their association with members of the monarchy, the vessels are also a part of traditional Catholic masses for serving communion. You'll find a variety of antique chalices on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A plate under a teacup is a saucer. Often, saucers come with teacups and show off matching designs. The use of saucers dates back to the Middle Ages. During the 18th century, people often poured tea onto the saucer to cool it and then sipped from the dish. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of saucers.
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