Royal Worcester Tea Sets

Yes, Royal Worcester pottery is still made in England. Established in 1751, Royal Worcester is one of the oldest remaining English porcelain brands and is highly coveted by collectors. Shop a wide collection of authenticated Royal Worcester goods on 1stDibs.

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.

To identify Royal Worcester, look on the bottom of any pieces for maker's stamps. These varied over the years, but nearly all the markings clearly say "Royal Worcester." Many pieces also feature a code or symbol that is useful when dating Royal Worcester porcelain. For example, an item produced in 1875 will showcase the letter "E," while those crafted in 1932 feature three circles along with “Made in England” text. The Museum of Royal Worcester has an in-depth reference guide that you can use to assess your marks and determine which pattern your piece features. If you need additional assistance, use the services of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. Shop a collection of Royal Worcester porcelain on 1stDibs.

Some Royal Worcester porcelain is oven safe, however, any pieces with a gold band should not be placed in the oven. Royal Worcester porcelain can withstand a temperature of about 120C. Please note that oven mitts are recommended when handling and that the porcelain should never have direct contact with a flame. Shop a selection of Royal Worcester pottery on 1stDibs.

No, Royal Worcester is not made in China, it is made in England. Established in 1751, Royal Worcester is one of the oldest remaining English porcelain brands and is highly coveted by collectors. Shop a wide collection of authenticated Royal Worcester goods on 1stDibs.