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Tea Sets For Sale
Sèvres French Porcelain Hand Painted Teacup and Saucer with Bird Scenes, 1791
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and rare Sèvres Porcelain cabinet teacup and saucer each hand painted with birds within a landscape in coloured enamels and set...
Category
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
French Empire "Tête a Tête" Service
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This exquisite 7 piece coffee service makes an elegant statement in rich matted blue, accented with bright gold. Each piece is similarly decorated in the elegant French Empire style ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain, Paste
Seletti "Kintsugin-N'1" Coffee Cup with Saucer in Porcelain
By Seletti
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Early Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Flamestone Coffee Pot with Mugs and Demitasses
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Denmark 'Flamestone' coffee or tea pot, four demitasses, four mugs, and eight saucers (four small / four larger) by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk Designs, circa 1958-1964.
Features the Flamestone signature slate, almost brown glazed-earthenware with striated pattern and white porcelain interior (pitcher has a green tinge to the porcelain interior). Elegant, attractive set with only one fleck to the rim of one of the mugs (very minor and easy to miss -- see photos 15 and 16 for closeups).
Early, Danish production, as indicated by the markings and rough exterior (a smooth version was introduced in 1964).
Measures: Pitcher H 13.5" x L 7.5" x D 5"
Coffee mugs H 3.75" x L 4" x D 3.13"
Coffee saucers...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tea Sets
Materials
Earthenware, Porcelain
Antique Hexagonal Old Derby Imari Tea Set
Located in East Hampton, NY
Old Derby Imari tea set including:
Measure: Tray 15" x 14"
Tea pot 5.25" H x 7.75" W x 5.5" D
Sugar well 3.75" H x 5 W x 4.5" D
3 tea cups 2 1/8" H x 3.75" W...
Category
Late 19th Century English Country Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Ceramic
20th Century Continental Silver Five-Piece Tea and Coffee Service
By A. Collet
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique European sterling silver five-piece tea and coffee set/service; part of our silver teaware collection.
This exceptional antique Europea...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Boulenger - 8pc. Louis XVI, Silver Tea Set - Museum Quality !
Located in Wilmington, DE
Direct from Paris, A Superb 8 piece 19th Century Louis XVI Sterling Silver Tea Set by the one of France's Premier Silversmiths "Adolphe Boulenger" in...
Category
1870s French Louis XVI Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Sterlig Silver Art. Deco' Teaset
By Mario Poli
Located in VALENZA, IT
Three-piece tea set in 925 sterling silver completely handmade.
Teapot: H 23, D 15cm.
The body is round, rounded and shaped with a hammered recess.
The handle and lid are made o...
Category
1990s Italian Art Deco Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
A silver "Pride pattern" Tea & Coffee Service
Located in London, GB
An Elizabeth II modernist sterling silver four-piece tea and coffee service, Sheffield 1968/9 mark of Elkington, designed by David Mellor.
Pride pattern, of plain ogee form, compris...
Category
1960s Vintage Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Imperial Lomonosov Porcelain Factory, Soviet Union, Large Tea Service
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The Imperial Lomonosov Porcelain Factory, Soviet Union. Large tea service in hand-painted porcelain for six people. Mid-20th centu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Russian Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Seletti "Hybrid-Anastasia" Mug in Porcelain
By Seletti
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Georg Jensen “Cosmos” Tea & Coffee Set 45
By Johan Rohde
Located in Hellerup, DK
A vintage sterling silver Georg Jensen tea and coffee set with ebony handles, design #45 by Johan Rohde from circa 1915. This design is often referred to as the “Cosmos” design. An a...
Category
20th Century Art Nouveau Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Seletti "Kintsugi-N'2" Mug in Porcelain
By Seletti
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Set of Four Blue and Gilt Painted English Scenes Coffee Cups
Located in New York, NY
Set of four blue and gilt painted English scenes coffee cups. Set of four pale blue and gilt painted coffee cups and saucers, biscuit bowl and plate, each...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Chiocolate Pot
Located in VALENZA, IT
Baroque style sterling silver chocolate pot.
The object was completely handmade in Italy by the silversmith Lorenzo Ferrari who had the laboratory in Milan in via XXV Aprile.
The body, in the central and upper part, was worked with the technique of the embossing and the chisel in the front part, with typical baroque scrolls, leaving a smooth central coat of arms for any noble coats of arms or family initials. The back of the body is smooth.
In the lower part, on the whole body, a design with pods, alternating large and small, has been embossed and chiseled. The handle of the chocolate maker...
Category
1980s Italian Baroque Vintage Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
George II Antique Sterling Silver Coffee Pot, London 1730 by John Swift
By John Swift
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1730 by John Swift, this very handsome, George II, Antique Sterling Silver Coffee Pot, is straight sided, and features an armorial engraving...
Category
1730s English George II Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Mid-Century Coffee and Tea Set
Located in Pasadena, CA
Mid-Century coffee set with coffee pot, tea pot, cream and sugar. Newly polished silver plate over brass. Bottom of coffee pot is stamped "silver plate."
Coffee pot measurements: ...
Category
1950s Vintage Tea Sets
Two-piece tea service German manufacture Meissen, 1910
Located in Vicenza, VI
Tea service consisting of two cups with corresponding saucers. The service dates from the very early 20th century, material Meissen porcelain painted with floral and plant motifs, Ge...
Category
20th Century German Other Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain, Meissen
Crystal Teapot Hand Painted Gold
Located in Roma, RM
Luxurious and cheerful, the Florida collection was launched in 2023. It is inspired by the American state famous for its strong character and colorful heritage. Each line is characte...
Category
2010s Italian Tea Sets
Materials
Gold
Van Kempen Museum Dutch 19th Century Silver Teapot
By Van Kempen
Located in New York, NY
J. M. Van Kempen, Dutch continental silver teapot from the 19th century, with beaded motifs adorning the rim, base, and handle, and with an elegant d...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Antique Dutch Silver Tea Caddy
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Dutch silver tea caddy; an addition to our silver teaware collection
This exceptional Dutch silver tea caddy has been realistically modelled in the form of a classic antique wine cooler...
Category
1890s Dutch Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Japanese, Contemporary Blue Pink Porcelain Match Tea Cup by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain match tea cup, extremely intricately hand painted in various shades of blue and pink set against a stunningly shaped ovoid porcelain body in blue, to create a mesmerizing surface. It is lavishly decorated with intricate gold details and is a masterpiece by highly acclaimed master porcelain artist in traditional patterns of the Imari-Arita region of Japan and the recipient of numerous prestigious awards for his extraordinary porcelain work and his unique gold and platinum work on porcelain. The artist's profile is available upon request.
Hydrangeas with intricate details decorate the surface of this remarkable cup and continue to decorate the inside of the cup.
"Fired-on gold,” this artist's signature style, highlights unique techniques for incorporating gold and platinum into the hand painting and multiple firing processes that yield a stunningly opulent look. The polychrome overglaze is fired at 800 degrees, followed by the application of gold and platinum that are fired at slightly lower temperature to maintain the luster of the precious metals. As a result, a single piece may undergo as many as 5-10 firings. The artist's profile is available upon request.
This elegant gilded porcelain matcha tea cup...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Tea Sets
Materials
Gold
Set of five KP, Karlskrona tea cups with saucers and a creamer
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A set of five KP, Karlskrona tea cups with saucers and a creamer in cream-colored porcaelain with gold decoration.
Classic style.
1930s/1940s.
Marked.
In perfect condition.
Cup: D 9....
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Marek Cecula Post Modernist Tea Set ca' 1980
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A post modernist tea set by Marek Cecula. Glazed ceramic, ca' 1980's.
Category
Late 20th Century American Minimalist Tea Sets
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Breyman German Silver Teapot
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique German silver teapot; an addition to our silver teaware collection
This exceptional antique German silver teapot has a circular incurved baluster form.
The surface of this antique 19th century teapot is plain and unembellished, with an impressive chased leaf decorated border to the shoulders.
This impressive example of silver teaware is fitted with the original push fit cover, surmounted with a large and impressive cast silver finial realistically modelled in the form of a stag couchant.
The teapot retains the original stained wood handle fitted to impressive embossed silver sockets incorporating scroll decoration, in addition to an antique dolphin...
Category
1820s German Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Seletti "Hybrid-Zora" Teacup with Saucer in Porcelain
By Seletti
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Joseph Heinrichs Silver Soldered Chocolate Pot Coffee Pot Tea Pot
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Joseph Heinrichs Art Deco Silver Soldered Chocolate Pot/Coffee Pot/Tea Pot with Wooden Handle. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 5.5" H x 7.5" W x 4.5" D.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Tea Sets
Materials
Silver Plate
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, ten saucers and eleven cups. Decorated in gold on white on the handles and lid of ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Cream & Sugar Set 506 by Johan Rohde
By Johan Rohde
Located in Hellerup, DK
A sterling silver Georg Jensen cream jug & sugar bowl with ebony handles, design #506 by Johan Rohde from circa 1927. This Art Deco design by Johan Rohde is hard to find.
Additional...
Category
20th Century Art Deco Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Italian modern white ceramic teapot Angelo Mangiarotti Fratelli Brambilla, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern white ceramic teapot Angelo Mangiarotti Fratelli Brambilla, 1970s
Square-based teapot in white ceramic. The square cap has a small semi-circular handle, the same handl...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Tea Sets
Materials
Ceramic
Modernist Edith Sonne White Bing and Grøndahl Tea Service for Eight People
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Modernist Edith Sonne white Bing and Grøndahl tea service for eight people, 1960's. Model number 473.
Consisting of eight teacups with saucers a...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Eight Saucers and One Porcelain Cup From Vista Alegre, Portugal
By Vista Alegre
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Eight saucers and a porcelain cup from Vista Alegre, decorated in green and gold with a simple and classic design. They have a glossy white finish, highlighted by delicate gold trims...
Category
Mid-20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Coffee Serving in Painted Porcelain Ginori Manifattura in Doccia 18th century
By Carlo Ginori
Located in Pistoia, IT
Rare porcelain coffee service by Manifatuura Ginori in Doccia, Florence, 18th-century era.
The service consists of a coffee pot and 12 cups with plate decorated with small landscape...
Category
18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Blue and White Garden Pattern Tea Set c 1725, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Reign
Located in seoul, KR
The saucer set depicts botanical garden, motifs rich in symbolism within east asian culture. Each teabowl depicts scenes, characters and situations are richly depicted inside the sma...
Category
1720s Vietnamese Chinoiserie Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Vintage ULIM Limoges Porcelain Tea and Coffee Set – 41 Pieces
By ULIM Limoges
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This beautiful 41-piece tea and coffee set is part of the ULIM collection, a classic and highly sought-after design from Limoges, known for its fine French porcelain. Adorned with a ...
Category
20th Century French Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Islamorada Teapot Hand Painted Gold
Located in Roma, RM
Luxurious and cheerful, the Florida collection was launched in 2023. It is inspired by the American state famous for its strong character and colorful heritage. Each line is characte...
Category
2010s Italian Tea Sets
Materials
Gold
1900 Alphonse Debain - Art Nouveau Papyrus Tea Coffee Set Sterling Silver
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Art Nouveau Tea Coffee Set "Papyrus" made in sterling silver created in 1900. Exhibited at the Universal Exhibition of 1900.
All pieces are stamped.
Service including:
- a 24 cm hig...
Category
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Vintage Glass Coffee Set, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Glass coffee set is a wonderful glass decorative object, realized during the 1970s.
Beautifully glass set of six little coffee small cup with metal handles. Label of manufacturer ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Tea Sets
Materials
Metal
Set of 6 Finely-Cut Regency Waterford Custard Cups, c1825
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Set of 6 Finely-Cut Regency Waterford Custard Cups, c1825
Additional information:
Period : George IV
Origin : Gatchells and Walpole, Waterford, Ireland
Colour : Clear
Bowl : Cup-sh...
Category
19th Century Northern Irish George IV Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Glass
12 Teacups and Saucers Minton Bone China Porcelain Haddon Hall
By Minton
Located in Paris, FR
Set of 12 teacups and with their saucers in Minton Bone China Porcelain. Famous Minton Haddon Hall model designed by John William Wadsworth (1879–19...
Category
Early 20th Century English Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
French Designer, Avant-Garde Style, Unique Egoist Tea Service in Porcelain
Located in Copenhagen, DK
French designer, avant-garde style.
Unique egoist tea service in hand painted porcelain consisting of a teapot, sugar bowl and teacup.
1980s.
In perfect condition.
Indistinct art...
Category
1980s French Vintage Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Modernist Design Sterling Silver Teapot - William Nigel Lyons - London 1972
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1972 by William Nigel Lyons, this incredibly stylish, Elizabeth II period, Sterling Silver Teapot, is of modernist design, featuring a silver inlay in the woo...
Category
1970s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Victorian Sterling Silver Hot Water or Coffee Jug
By John Aldwinckle & James Slater
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver hot water / coffee jug; an addition to our diverse silver teaware collection....
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Arne Jacobsen Four Piece Stainless Steel Danish Coffee/Tea Set for Stelton
By Arne Jacobsen, Stelton
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Four-piece stainless steel coffee and tea service set by Arne Jacobsen for Stelton, c.1960s, Denmark. The set includes a coffee pot, tea pot...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Sets
Materials
Stainless Steel
Pair of Antique Chinese Enamel Bronze Cantonese Tea Cups, 18/19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely made 18/19th century enamel on bronze/copper powder box. Canton Qianlong.
Additional information:
Material: Bronze & Cloisonne
Region of Origin: China
Emperor: Qianlon...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Bronze
Christopher Dresser Silverplate Tea Set
Located in New Orleans, LA
This silverplate tea set, striking in its simplicity, is the work of celebrated designer Christopher Dresser. Dresser first displayed his designs a...
Category
19th Century English Modern Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Silver Plate
Victorian Queen Anne Style Sterling Silver Coffee Pot
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique English sterling silver coffee pot in the Queen Anne style; an addition to our silver teaware collection.
This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver coffee pot has an rounded rectangular waisted form, all in the Queen Anne style.
The lower portion of the incurved body is ornamented with embossed, convex fluted decoration below a contemporary bright cut engraved crest of a talbot sejant erect with a shield.
The waisted upper portion is plain and unembellished.
This antique silver coffee pot...
Category
1890s English Victorian Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
800 Silver Swirl 4 PC Tea/Coffee Set, Italy Mid-20th Century
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A hand made Italian 4 PC solid 800 silver tea-coffer set. The set consisting of a bulbous Coffee pot, tea pot, with creamer and covered sugar. The swirl patter with beautifully cast handles and spouts. Marked on bottom "Cesellato A Mano...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Seletti "Hybrid-Smeraldina" Porcelain Teapot
By Seletti
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Petite Chinese Bronze Cups, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Minimal and refined, these petite bronze cups are simply formed with gently curved sides and a short footed base. The pair dates to the 19th century or earlier and would have been us...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Minimalist Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Bronze
Contemporary Japanese Blue Gray Gold Porcelain Matcha Tea Cup by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Japanese contemporary porcelain tea cup/matcha cup, hand painted in blue underglaze in stunning shades of blue and gray on an elegantly shaped ovoid porcelain body, a signed piece by highly acclaimed master porcelain artist in the Imari-Arita tradition. In 2016, the British Museum added a work by this artist to its collection of contemporary Japanese porcelain, a large lidded jar in the Imari-Arita polychrome enamel tradition. This artist is the recipient of numerous awards for his exceptional porcelain work and his unique signature gold and platinum work on porcelain. His profile is available upon request.
This stunning porcelain Japanese matcha tea cup depicts elegant gold fish in soft shades of blue, decorated with gold swimming all around the body of the vase, the intricate wave pattern indicates that the fish are swimming in the ocean. Two bands of exquisite floral patterns decorate the top of the vase all the way to the rim, to add another layer of interest to this piece.
“Fired-on gold,” this artist’s signature style, highlights unique techniques for incorporating gold and platinum into the hand painting and multiple firing processes that yield a stunningly opulent look. The polychrome overglaze is fired at 800 degrees, followed by the application of gold and platinum that are fired at slightly lower temperature to maintain the luster of the precious metals. As a result, a single piece may undergo as many as 5-10 firings. This artist's profile is available upon request.
This hand-painted porcelain Japanese tea cup...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Tea Sets
Materials
Gold
Odiot Henin - 5pc. Antique French 950 Sterling Silver Louis XVI Tea Set + Tray
By Odiot, Henin et Cie 1
Located in Wilmington, DE
Direct from a Private Mansion in Paris, a Magnificent 4pc. Antique French 950 Sterling Silver and Vermeil Tea Set by France's Premier French Silversmith Jean-Baptiste Odiot and an ac...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen Blossom Teapot in Hammered Sterling Silver with Ivory Handle
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Georg Jensen Blossom teapot in hammered sterling silver with ivory handle.
Model 2C. Dated 1915-1930.
Measures: 24 x 14 cm (incl. Handle).
In exc...
Category
1910s Danish Art Nouveau Vintage Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Large Mexican Modern Sterling Silver Coffee Tea Serving Set William Spratling
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large six-piece sterling silver service for coffee and tea that consists of a gallery tray, a coffee pot, a tea pot, a hot milk or chocolate pot, a sugar and a milk jar. This stunn...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Early Barr Flight Barr Porcelain Teacups and Saucers
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A pair of early transferware English porcelain teacups and saucers, made by the Worcester Porcelain Factory during the Barr, Flight & Barr ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Country Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Richard Ginori Italian Porcelain Coffee or Tea Cup & Saucer, 1991
Located in New York, NY
An Italian white porcelain coffee or tea cup and saucer, with floral design, by designer Richard Ginori, 1991, Italy. Both cup and saucer have a blue, green, and purple design of flo...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Set of 6 Gio Ponti (Attributed.) Coffe Cups for Krupp, Milano, Art Déco 1930s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Argelato, BO
Set of 6 Alpaca cups, Arthur Krupp, Milan 1930.
The cups, clearly Art Dèco in style, were made in the 1930s in Milan for Krupp, exactly in the perio...
Category
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Tea Sets
Materials
Alpaca
Jakob Grimminger, Art Deco Tea / Coffee Service, Tête-à-tête, German Design
Located in Bilzen, BE
Jakob Grimminger worked as a goldsmith and craftsman in Schwäbisch Gmünd from 1893 to 1939. Silver and ebony tea and coffee service Marked 925 for sterling silver
Coffee pot (21 cm)
...
Category
Early 20th Century German Art Deco Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Antique, New and Vintage Tea Sets
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.