Set Of Antique Pewter

Pewter is a mixture of mostly tin with lead components, mostly used in the production of household items. Pewter has been used since Roman times. A set could include milk and sugar canisters, a teapot and a serving tray. On 1stDibs, find a collection of pewter sets from some of the world’s top sellers.

First used by the Egyptians and later the Romans, pewter is an alloy composed predominantly of tin. It can also be mixed with copper, silver or lead. Shop a collection of expertly vetted antique pewter pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Pewter is a type of tin alloy that’s been popular for centuries. Many examples of antique pewter objects exist, including dinnerware and sculpture. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique pewter from some of the world’s top sellers.

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.