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Chamberlain's Worcester Porcelain Hand Painted Part Tea Set
Chamberlain's Worcester Porcelain Hand Painted Part Tea Set

Chamberlain's Worcester Porcelain Hand Painted Part Tea Set

By Chamberlains Worcester

Located in East Geelong, VIC

This Chamberlain's Worcester porcelain hand painted and gilded tea set consists of 31 pieces- a

Category

Antique Early 1800s English Georgian Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Dresden Tea Set with Hand-Painted Flowers and Raised Figural Faces of Ladies
Dresden Tea Set with Hand-Painted Flowers and Raised Figural Faces of Ladies

Dresden Tea Set with Hand-Painted Flowers and Raised Figural Faces of Ladies

By Dresden Porcelain

Located in Boston, MA

I want to offer you this fabulous Helena Wolfson Dresden tea set decorated with hand-painted flower

Category

Antique 1890s German Rococo Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain, Cedar

C J Mason porcelain hand coloured part tea set
C J Mason porcelain hand coloured part tea set

C J Mason porcelain hand coloured part tea set

By C.J. Mason 1

Located in East Geelong, VIC

This rare C J Mason porcelain part tea set consists of a pumpkin shaped teapot, two tea pot stands

Category

Antique 1830s English William IV Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Qajari Porcelain Bohemian Tea Set
19th Century Qajari Porcelain Bohemian Tea Set

19th Century Qajari Porcelain Bohemian Tea Set

Located in London, GB

This beautiful tea set includes - Four cups 4cm x 7cm Four saucers 3cm x 12cm One tea pot 13.5cm

Category

Antique 19th Century Persian Other Tea Sets

Meissen Early 20th Century 16-Piece Coffee/Tea Set with Cupids and Flowers for 6
Meissen Early 20th Century 16-Piece Coffee/Tea Set with Cupids and Flowers for 6

Meissen Early 20th Century 16-Piece Coffee/Tea Set with Cupids and Flowers for 6

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Washington Crossing, PA

16 piece coffee/tea set with cupids and flowers. Original wooden box. Crossed swords mark. Meissen

Category

Early 20th Century European Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Part of a Tea Set in Renowned Portuguese Porcelain "Vista Alegre"
Part of a Tea Set in Renowned Portuguese Porcelain "Vista Alegre"

Part of a Tea Set in Renowned Portuguese Porcelain "Vista Alegre"

By Vista Alegre

Located in Lisboa, Lisboa

This refined tea set, crafted from high-quality Vista Alegre porcelain, features a sophisticated

Category

Mid-20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Tea Canister Painted with Military Scene, c. 1780
Meissen Tea Canister Painted with Military Scene, c. 1780

Meissen Tea Canister Painted with Military Scene, c. 1780

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Geelong, Victoria

Meissen tea canister, each side painted with military scenes, showing soldiers of the Polish

Category

Antique 1780s German Rococo Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Fine Tapio Wirkkala Gilt White Porcelain Rosenthal Coffee Espresso Tea Set 1960s
Fine Tapio Wirkkala Gilt White Porcelain Rosenthal Coffee Espresso Tea Set 1960s

Fine Tapio Wirkkala Gilt White Porcelain Rosenthal Coffee Espresso Tea Set 1960s

By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal

Located in Nierstein am Rhein, DE

Fine and exquisite Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal studio-linie gilt white porcelain coffee tea or

Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Moriage Dragon Tea Set
Moriage Dragon Tea Set

Moriage Dragon Tea Set

Unavailable|$295 / set

Moriage Dragon Tea Set

Located in Stamford, CT

Circa mid-20th century vintage raised dragon moriage design mid-century hand painted. Great quality. Includes fiveteen pieces and two vases which is seventeen pieces total. Raised st...

Category

20th Century Japanese Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Porcelain Tete à Tete in Original Leather Case
Meissen Porcelain Tete à Tete in Original Leather Case

Meissen Porcelain Tete à Tete in Original Leather Case

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Shakespeare, ON

Ex. Collection of the Marquess of Ely.

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier German Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Coalport England Cobalt Blue & Gilt Porcelain Dessert Service for 12
Coalport England Cobalt Blue & Gilt Porcelain Dessert Service for 12

Coalport England Cobalt Blue & Gilt Porcelain Dessert Service for 12

By Coalport Porcelain

Located in Pasadena, CA

Coalport England hand painted porcelain dessert service for 12, circa 1895. Cobalt blue ground

Category

Antique 1890s North American Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

18th-19th Century English Coalport Blue and White Porcelain Teapot, Unmarked
18th-19th Century English Coalport Blue and White Porcelain Teapot, Unmarked

18th-19th Century English Coalport Blue and White Porcelain Teapot, Unmarked

By Coalport Porcelain

Located in Atlanta, GA

18th-19th century English Coalport blue and white porcelain teapot with gilt details and lid

Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Aynsley Bone China Decorative Tea Set
Aynsley Bone China Decorative Tea Set

Aynsley Bone China Decorative Tea Set

Located in New York, NY

A highly collectible pink Aynsley floral design tea set. 8 plates, 11 cups & saucers, 1 sugar bowl

Category

Antique Early 1800s English Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Paris Porcelain Part Tea and Coffee Service, 19th Century
Paris Porcelain Part Tea and Coffee Service, 19th Century

Paris Porcelain Part Tea and Coffee Service, 19th Century

Located in Paris, FR

A Paris part tea and coffee service in porcelain painted with livened up landscape in sepia color

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Gold Lusterware Tea Set Czech Slovakia
Gold Lusterware Tea Set Czech Slovakia

Gold Lusterware Tea Set Czech Slovakia

By Victoria Czechoslovakia

Located in Pataskala, OH

6 piece set of gold lusterware tea set from Czech Slovakia. It includes the lidded sugar bowl

Category

Mid-20th Century Slovak Mid-Century Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Luster, Porcelain

Mexican Porcelain Cups Set
Mexican Porcelain Cups Set

Mexican Porcelain Cups Set

Located in D.F., MX

Mexican Porcelain Cups Set

Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Art Deco Limoges Coffee Tea Dessert Set
Art Deco Limoges Coffee Tea Dessert Set

Art Deco Limoges Coffee Tea Dessert Set

By Limoges

Located in Oakland, CA

An Art Deco embellished china Dessert Set for Coffee or Tea from the company Vielle Abbaye in

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Fine Royal Worcester Porcelain Tea Service 1881, Imari, English, Tray
Fine Royal Worcester Porcelain Tea Service 1881, Imari, English, Tray

Fine Royal Worcester Porcelain Tea Service 1881, Imari, English, Tray

By Royal Worcester

Located in Seattle, WA

Fine and rare Royal Worcester tea service on tray. 1 tea pot, 1 tray, 1 cream jug, 1 lidded sugar

Category

Antique 1880s English Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Seam Tea Service from the Haute Couture Series by Konstantin Grcic
Seam Tea Service from the Haute Couture Series by Konstantin Grcic

Seam Tea Service from the Haute Couture Series by Konstantin Grcic

By Nymphenburg Porcelain, Konstantin Grcic

Located in Denton, MD

, 2.5" diameter, sugar spoon: 3.25" x 1", tray: 12.5" x 5.2" The Seam Tea

Category

Early 2000s German Post-Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Part tea set by John Ridgway c 1850
Part tea set by John Ridgway c 1850

Part tea set by John Ridgway c 1850

By John Ridgways

Located in East Geelong, VIC

This very attractive twenty-two piece porcelain part tea set by John Ridgway consists of two bread

Category

Antique 1840s English Victorian Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Stunning Old Paris Hand Painted Porcelain Tea Coffee Service, France, 1850
Stunning Old Paris Hand Painted Porcelain Tea Coffee Service, France, 1850

Stunning Old Paris Hand Painted Porcelain Tea Coffee Service, France, 1850

Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland

Stunning Old Paris hand painted porcelain tea coffee service, France, 1850 Beautiful gold and bleu

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Swedish Tea Set "Mon Amie" by Rostrand
Swedish Tea Set "Mon Amie" by Rostrand

Swedish Tea Set "Mon Amie" by Rostrand

By Marianne Westman, Röstrand

Located in Raleigh, NC

Designed by Marianne Westman for Rörstrand, 1950s design Classic Mon Amie in high quality porcelain

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

English Porcelain Tete-a-Tete Tea Service, Cobalt Blue & Gilt, Early 19th
English Porcelain Tete-a-Tete Tea Service, Cobalt Blue & Gilt, Early 19th

English Porcelain Tete-a-Tete Tea Service, Cobalt Blue & Gilt, Early 19th

Located in WILMINGTON, CA

: Tete-a-Tete Tea Material: Porcelain Type: Tea Set Color: Blue Brand: Unbranded Dimension: Teapot

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Ten-Piece Ashworth Porcelain Cabaret Set
Ten-Piece Ashworth Porcelain Cabaret Set

Ten-Piece Ashworth Porcelain Cabaret Set

Located in New York, NY

A 10 piece Ashworth porcelain cabaret set with polychrome decoration of foo dogs & gilt brocade on

Category

Antique 19th Century British Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Antique 19 th c Russian Kuznetsov Porcelain Cobalt and Gold Tea Service
Antique 19 th c Russian Kuznetsov Porcelain Cobalt and Gold Tea Service

Antique 19 th c Russian Kuznetsov Porcelain Cobalt and Gold Tea Service

Located in Boca Raton, FL

Antique 19 th c Russian Kuznetsov Porcelain Tea Service, handpainted and highly decorated in cobalt

Category

Antique 19th Century Russian Belle Époque Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Porcelain Coffee Set, Czechoslovakia, circa 1960
Porcelain Coffee Set, Czechoslovakia, circa 1960

Porcelain Coffee Set, Czechoslovakia, circa 1960

Located in Zohor, SK

Communist times. The tea set is in excellent condition without damages. Made of porcelain with hand painted

Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Yellow Ground English Porcelain Solitaire Set
Yellow Ground English Porcelain Solitaire Set

Yellow Ground English Porcelain Solitaire Set

Located in Shakespeare, ON

Set includes teapot, cream pitcher, covered sugar bowl, cup & saucer and serving tray.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Lenox Three-Piece Tea Set with Sterling Silver Overlay
Lenox Three-Piece Tea Set with Sterling Silver Overlay

Lenox Three-Piece Tea Set with Sterling Silver Overlay

By Lenox's Ceramic Art Company

Located in Newburgh, NY

Three-piece Lenox, sterling overlay deco style tea set, in good condition, height teapot is 8 3/8

Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Tea Sets

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tea Set by Imperial Greek Key Detail Mid Century 15 Piece
Tea Set by Imperial Greek Key Detail Mid Century 15 Piece

Tea Set by Imperial Greek Key Detail Mid Century 15 Piece

Located in New York, NY

Mid century tea set or coffee set. White porcelain with gold accents. Red yellow and black design

Category

Mid-20th Century Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Coffee Set in Vista Alegre Porcelain, Portugal
Coffee Set in Vista Alegre Porcelain, Portugal

Coffee Set in Vista Alegre Porcelain, Portugal

By Vista Alegre

Located in Lisboa, Lisboa

Incomplete coffee service, in Vista Alegre porcelain, consisting of a teapot, milk jug, sugar bowl

Category

Mid-20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

vintage 1960s Wedgwood Jasperware Tea Service Set of 6 Pieces
vintage 1960s Wedgwood Jasperware Tea Service Set of 6 Pieces

vintage 1960s Wedgwood Jasperware Tea Service Set of 6 Pieces

By Wedgewood

Located in Chicago, IL

vintage 1960s Wedgwood Jasperware tea service set of 6 pieces Vintage Wedgwood tea service

Category

Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Tea Set in Beautiful Green Color from Sweden, 1960s
Vintage Tea Set in Beautiful Green Color from Sweden, 1960s

Vintage Tea Set in Beautiful Green Color from Sweden, 1960s

Located in Singapore, SG

A set for four people, a beautiful tea or coffee set from Sweden, 1960s.

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Sterling Silver Overlay Lenox Three-Piece Art Deco Tea Set
Sterling Silver Overlay Lenox Three-Piece Art Deco Tea Set

Sterling Silver Overlay Lenox Three-Piece Art Deco Tea Set

By Lenox's Ceramic Art Company

Located in Newburgh, NY

Three-piece Lenox, sterling overlay deco style tea set, in good condition.

Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Tea Sets

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sarreguemines Tea Pot
Sarreguemines Tea Pot

Sarreguemines Tea Pot

Unavailable|$1,300

Sarreguemines Tea Pot

Located in Long Island City, NY

A French Sarreguemines porcelain tea pot with cover, circa 1880. Marked, "Opaque De

Category

Antique 19th Century French Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Tiffany & Co. France Private Stock Le Tallec Tea and Dessert Set
Tiffany & Co. France Private Stock Le Tallec Tea and Dessert Set

Tiffany & Co. France Private Stock Le Tallec Tea and Dessert Set

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Pasadena, CA

Tiffany & Co. Private Stock Le Tallec porcelain tea and dessert in Directoire. Yellow grounds with

Category

Vintage 1980s North American Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Small Teapot, Milk Jug and Sugar Bowl
Small Teapot, Milk Jug and Sugar Bowl

Small Teapot, Milk Jug and Sugar Bowl

Located in Lisboa, Lisboa

This elegant porcelain tea set, comprising a small teapot, milk jug, and sugar bowl, reflects

Category

Early 20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Jugendstil Porcelain Set of Seven Pieces by Hermann Ohme
Jugendstil Porcelain Set of Seven Pieces by Hermann Ohme

Jugendstil Porcelain Set of Seven Pieces by Hermann Ohme

By Hermann Ohme

Located in Janvry, Essonne

Seven glazed white, green and golden painted porcelain pieces set: One tea or coffee pot with lid

Category

Vintage 1920s German Jugendstil Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

School of Professor Koloman Moser Tea and Coffee Set Vienna circa 1902
School of Professor Koloman Moser Tea and Coffee Set Vienna circa 1902

School of Professor Koloman Moser Tea and Coffee Set Vienna circa 1902

By Koloman Moser

Located in Vienna, AT

SCHOOL OF PROF. KOLOMAN MOSER TEA AND COFFEE SET consisting of: coffeepot and teapot, two

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Tea Sets

Materials

Gold

Vintage Glazed Ceramic Tea/Coffee Set of Seven, from Sweden 1970s
Vintage Glazed Ceramic Tea/Coffee Set of Seven, from Sweden 1970s

Vintage Glazed Ceramic Tea/Coffee Set of Seven, from Sweden 1970s

Located in Singapore, SG

Lovely set of seven cups and seven saucers with flower pattern.

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Aynsley Art Deco Roses Tea Service
Aynsley Art Deco Roses Tea Service

Aynsley Art Deco Roses Tea Service

Unavailable|$1,929 / set

Aynsley Art Deco Roses Tea Service

By John Aynsley

Located in London, GB

An early 20th century Aynsley Art Deco Roses tea service comprising of 6 cups, 6 saucers, 6 cake

Category

Antique Early 1900s British Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Fine Midcentury Tapio Wirkkala Rosenthal Coffee Set Gilt White Porcelain 1960s
Fine Midcentury Tapio Wirkkala Rosenthal Coffee Set Gilt White Porcelain 1960s

Fine Midcentury Tapio Wirkkala Rosenthal Coffee Set Gilt White Porcelain 1960s

By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal

Located in Nierstein am Rhein, DE

Fine and exquisite Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal studio-linie gilt white porcelain coffee set for 6

Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

H & R Daniel Tea/Coffee Service
H & R Daniel Tea/Coffee Service

H & R Daniel Tea/Coffee Service

Unavailable|$5,237 / set

H & R Daniel Tea/Coffee Service

By H&R Daniel

Located in London, GB

An H & R Daniel English porcelain tea service comprising ten cups, six saucers, milk jug, two

Category

Antique 1820s British Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Coalport hand painted creamer
Coalport hand painted creamer

Coalport hand painted creamer

By Coalport Porcelain

Located in East Geelong, VIC

This very attractive hand painted porcelain creamer is by John Rose Coalport and is decorated with

Category

Antique 1810s English Regency Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

First Period Worcester Tea Bowl Mansfield Pattern
First Period Worcester Tea Bowl Mansfield Pattern

First Period Worcester Tea Bowl Mansfield Pattern

By 1st Period Worcester Dr. Wall

Located in East Geelong, VIC

This First period Worcester porcelain tea bowl is decorated with the hand painted Mansfield pattern

Category

Antique 1770s English Chinoiserie Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Cup and Saucer with 'deutschBlumen' Flowers, circa 1750
Meissen Cup and Saucer with 'deutschBlumen' Flowers, circa 1750

Meissen Cup and Saucer with 'deutschBlumen' Flowers, circa 1750

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Geelong, Victoria

Meissen cup and saucer, well painted with ‘deutschBlumen’ flower sprays and specimens, within a gold line rim. Blue crossed swords mark, circa 1750.

Category

Antique 1750s German Rococo Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Lowestoft Teabowl and Saucer, Blue Chinoiserie 'Long Bridge' Pattern, circa 1760
Lowestoft Teabowl and Saucer, Blue Chinoiserie 'Long Bridge' Pattern, circa 1760

Lowestoft Teabowl and Saucer, Blue Chinoiserie 'Long Bridge' Pattern, circa 1760

Located in Geelong, Victoria

Lowestoft teabowl and saucer, painted in underglaze blue with a delightful chinoiserie pattern, the 'Long Bridge'. Unmarked, circa 1760.

Category

Antique 1760s English Chinoiserie Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

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Porcelain Tea Sets For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of porcelain tea sets for sale on 1stDibs. The range of distinct porcelain tea sets — often made from ceramic, porcelain and metal — can elevate any home. Find 2318 antique and vintage porcelain tea sets at 1stDibs now, or shop our selection of 232 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished furniture. Porcelain tea sets have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. Regency, mid-century modern and modern porcelain tea sets are consistently popular styles. Porcelain tea sets have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Coalport Porcelain, Rosenthal and Meissen Porcelain are consistently popular.

How Much are Porcelain Tea Sets?

Prices for porcelain tea sets start at $16 and top out at $626,416 with the average selling for $775.

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 Porcelain Tea Sets
  • 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 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 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 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 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.
  • 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.