Skip to main content

Tea Sets

2,174 Results
to
318
2,006
154
14
1,319
766

Use search to find more

Use search to find more

Denby England, Blue and White Coffee Set, Mid-20th Century
Denby England, Blue and White Coffee Set, Mid-20th Century

Denby England, Blue and White Coffee Set, Mid-20th Century

By Denby Pottery England

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

This mid-20th century Denby coffee service, made in England, reflects the elegance and durability of the brand’s renowned stoneware. The set comprises a tall coffee pot with lid, twe...

Category

20th Century British Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

Mid-Century Modern Vallauris Coffee Set, Ceramic, France, 1960s
Mid-Century Modern Vallauris Coffee Set, Ceramic, France, 1960s

Mid-Century Modern Vallauris Coffee Set, Ceramic, France, 1960s

By Vallauris

Located in HAARLEM, NL

Step into the world of French artistry with this exquisite 8-piece coffee set, crafted in the legendary ceramic town of Vallauris. Known as the ceramic capital of France, Vallauris h...

Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Silver-Plated Chamber Pot / Cachepot by Fornari Roma, 1950s
Italian Silver-Plated Chamber Pot / Cachepot by Fornari Roma, 1950s

Italian Silver-Plated Chamber Pot / Cachepot by Fornari Roma, 1950s

Located in Roma, IT

Unusual and sculptural silver-plated vessel produced by Fornari Roma, Italy, retaining the original maker’s label to the underside. Though reminiscent of a traditional chamber pot fo...

Category

1950s Italian Modern Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Silver

Queen Anne Sterling Silver Tea Set by Mappin & Webb, Sheffield, 1911
Queen Anne Sterling Silver Tea Set by Mappin & Webb, Sheffield, 1911

Queen Anne Sterling Silver Tea Set by Mappin & Webb, Sheffield, 1911

By Mappin & Webb

Located in London, London

Hallmarked in Sheffield in 1911 - 1912 by Mappin & Webb this elegant George V antique sterling silver four-piece tea set is of a classic Queen Anne design. The pieces are of an ovoid...

Category

1910s English Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique 10 Person Afternoon Tea Service, English, Cup, Saucer, Bowl, Victorian
Antique 10 Person Afternoon Tea Service, English, Cup, Saucer, Bowl, Victorian

Antique 10 Person Afternoon Tea Service, English, Cup, Saucer, Bowl, Victorian

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique 10 person afternoon tea service. An English, 31 piece ceramic cup, saucer, tiffin plate and sugar bowl set, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. Eye-c...

Category

1880s British Anglo-Japanese Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Satsuma Japanese Hand Painted Porcelain Tea or Coffee Set 15 Pieces
19th Century Satsuma Japanese Hand Painted Porcelain Tea or Coffee Set 15 Pieces

19th Century Satsuma Japanese Hand Painted Porcelain Tea or Coffee Set 15 Pieces

By Satsuma

Located in Casale Monferrato, IT

Beautiful hand painted and gold porcelain tea or coffee set Satsuma Japanese 15 pieces, 1880s. The service is complete to serve six people at the table includes: 1 teapot, 1 sugar bo...

Category

1880s Japanese Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Art Deco Furstenberg Bavarian Tea Pot w/ Insulated Stainless Steel Cozy
Vintage Art Deco Furstenberg Bavarian Tea Pot w/ Insulated Stainless Steel Cozy

Vintage Art Deco Furstenberg Bavarian Tea Pot w/ Insulated Stainless Steel Cozy

Located in Centennial, CO

A charming and functional vintage 1930s or 1940s Art Deco creamware porcelain teapot which sits inside of a clever custom made round insulated stainless steel tea cozy. The teapot ho...

Category

Mid-20th Century German Art Deco Tea Sets

Materials

Stainless Steel

4 Person Tea Set 13pcs Design Heinrich Loffelhardt for Jenaer Glass
4 Person Tea Set 13pcs Design Heinrich Loffelhardt for Jenaer Glass

4 Person Tea Set 13pcs Design Heinrich Loffelhardt for Jenaer Glass

By Heinrich Loffelhardt, Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Jena Glassworks

Located in Bad Säckingen, DE

This is a minimalistic and still highly modern design classic by JENAER GLAS. 13pcs tea or coffee service designed by Heinrich Löffelhardt in 1954. This classic JENAER GLAS tea and coffee service includes: 1 Teapot complete with a tea strainer and lid. W/H/D: ca. 26,5 / 14.5 / 17 cm Capacity ca. 1.7L 4 Tea Cups D/H: ca. 10.6 / 4.7 cm 4 Saucers, square with rounded corners, W/H/D: ca. 17.5 / 2.5 / 17.5 cm 4 Plates, square with rounded corners, W/H/D: ca. 15.4 / 1.3 / 15.4 cm Designed by Heinrich Löffelhardt in 1954, this set exemplifies the elegant and functional design principles of mid-century glassware, produced by Schott & Gen Mainz Jenaer Glas. Heinrich Löffelhardt was a renowned German industrial designer, particularly celebrated for his work in glass design. Born in 1922, Löffelhardt made significant contributions to the field of modern glassware...

Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Glass

Hester Bateman, London 1781 sterling silver coffee pot
Hester Bateman, London 1781 sterling silver coffee pot

Hester Bateman, London 1781 sterling silver coffee pot

By Hester Bateman

Located in London, London

Hallmarked in London in 1781 by Hester Bateman, this wonderful, George III, Antique Sterling Silver Coffee Pot, features bead borders, a plain body, a wooden scroll handle, and acant...

Category

1780s English George III Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Sterling Silver

1930 Jean E Puiforcat Art Deco Modernist Tea Coffee Set Sterling Silver Rosewood
1930 Jean E Puiforcat Art Deco Modernist Tea Coffee Set Sterling Silver Rosewood

1930 Jean E Puiforcat Art Deco Modernist Tea Coffee Set Sterling Silver Rosewood

By Puiforcat, Jean Puiforcat

Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR

Modernist Art Deco tea and coffee set in sterling silver and rosewood by Jean E. Puiforcat created in 1930s. Super Art Deco monogram. Service including: - a coffee pot - a milkpo...

Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Sterling Silver

Royal Holland Pewter Coffee/Tea Set
Royal Holland Pewter Coffee/Tea Set

Royal Holland Pewter Coffee/Tea Set

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An original and complete Tea Set Pewter, Cane and Walnut Marked on underside

Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Pewter

Wedgwood Black Basalt & Terracotta Teapot, Limited Edition of 500, 1988
Wedgwood Black Basalt & Terracotta Teapot, Limited Edition of 500, 1988

Wedgwood Black Basalt & Terracotta Teapot, Limited Edition of 500, 1988

Located in Nottingham, GB

A rare and highly collectible Wedgwood limited-edition teapot, produced in England in 1988 exclusively for The Guild of Specialist China & Glass Retailers. The production was str...

Category

Late 20th Century Tea Sets

Materials

Black Basalt

Heritage Cup by Studio DO
Heritage Cup by Studio DO

Heritage Cup by Studio DO

Located in Geneve, CH

Heritage Cup by Studio DO Dimensions: Available on request Materials: Available on request Based in Antwerp, Studio DO is a stone cutting atelier founded by Dana Seachuga and Octave...

Category

2010s Belgian Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Stone, Stainless Steel

Los Castillo Seahorse Silver Plate Creamer & Sugar Set, Taxco Mexico, 1960s
Los Castillo Seahorse Silver Plate Creamer & Sugar Set, Taxco Mexico, 1960s

Los Castillo Seahorse Silver Plate Creamer & Sugar Set, Taxco Mexico, 1960s

By Los Castillo

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Exceptional Mexican Modernist silver-plated creamer and lidded sugar pot by Los Castillo, designed and handcrafted in Taxco, Mexico, circa 1960s. The two-piece serving set is constru...

Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Silver, Silver Plate, Brass

Vintage Japanese Ceramic Teapot with Geometric Handle
Vintage Japanese Ceramic Teapot with Geometric Handle

Vintage Japanese Ceramic Teapot with Geometric Handle

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Vintage Japanese teapot is decorated with dark brow semi-matte glaze on the body and high-gloss burnt orange glaze on the lid; the earthy palette is complemented by natural wood color if the geometric handle. The teapot has a minimal, restrained appearance; it is clearly marked with the original sticker "MCI Japan".

Category

20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

vintage studio pottery tea pot
vintage studio pottery tea pot

vintage studio pottery tea pot

Located in Philadelphia, PA

great round tea pot with circle motif. thin spout with cane handle.

Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic

Multicolor Rainbow Coffee Porcelain Set with Gold Rims, Spain 1950s
Multicolor Rainbow Coffee Porcelain Set with Gold Rims, Spain 1950s

Multicolor Rainbow Coffee Porcelain Set with Gold Rims, Spain 1950s

Located in Barcelona, ES

Demitasse Tea or Espresso Coffee Set, service for 6, Porcelain An elegant and colorful porcelain gold rimmed demitasse coffee service for six. Spain, 1950s Eye-catching multicolor gl...

Category

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

Materials

Gold Leaf

Vintage FB Rogers Victorian Silver Plated Tea Set with Tilting Pot - 6 Pcs
Vintage FB Rogers Victorian Silver Plated Tea Set with Tilting Pot - 6 Pcs

Vintage FB Rogers Victorian Silver Plated Tea Set with Tilting Pot - 6 Pcs

By F.B. Rogers Silver Co.

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage FB Rogers Victorian Silver Plated Tea Set with Tilting Pot - 6 Pc Set. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: Tray: 2.5" H x 29" W x 18" D. Tilting Tea Pot: 14.5" H x 6.5" W x...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Victorian Tea Sets

Materials

Silver Plate

Boin-Taburet & Faberge-8pc 950 Sterling Silver Tea Set + 6 Faberge Egg Cups
Boin-Taburet & Faberge-8pc 950 Sterling Silver Tea Set + 6 Faberge Egg Cups

Boin-Taburet & Faberge-8pc 950 Sterling Silver Tea Set + 6 Faberge Egg Cups

By Boin-Taburet, Limoges

Located in Wilmington, DE

Direct from Paris: A magnificent 8pc. Antique French 950 sterling silver tea set by one of France’s premier French silversmiths "Boin-Taburet", plus 6 Fabergé Imperial Egg collectio...

Category

Late 19th Century Louis XVI Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Silver

Meissen Porcelain Tea Coffee Set, Rococo Revival, Hand-Painted, 20th Century
Meissen Porcelain Tea Coffee Set, Rococo Revival, Hand-Painted, 20th Century

Meissen Porcelain Tea Coffee Set, Rococo Revival, Hand-Painted, 20th Century

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Uppsala , SE

The vintage Meissen porcelain coffee or tea service set in the highly collectible “Purple Indian” (Riche Indische Malerei purpur) pattern featuring pink/purple floral motifs, scallo...

Category

20th Century German Rococo Revival Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Teapot, Exclusive Silver Floral English Mid-century Coffee Pot
Antique Teapot, Exclusive Silver Floral English Mid-century Coffee Pot

Antique Teapot, Exclusive Silver Floral English Mid-century Coffee Pot

Located in Wembley, GB

An antique tea set and a silver-plated teapot that is beautifully designed and created are suitable for elegant serving. With lid pressed, cast and cha...

Category

1920s English Rococo Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Silver Leaf, Sterling Silver, Silver Plate, Silver

Liberty and Co. An Arts and Crafts three piece tea set with floral decoration
Liberty and Co. An Arts and Crafts three piece tea set with floral decoration

Liberty and Co. An Arts and Crafts three piece tea set with floral decoration

By Liberty & Co.

Located in London, GB

Liberty and Co. All three pieces stamped Tudric 025. An Arts and Crafts three piece tea set with floral decoration. Original unpolished condition. Teapot has slight ripple to the bas...

Category

Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Pewter

Antique English Sheffield B. Altman Art Deco Silver Plated Tea Service Set, 4 Pc
Antique English Sheffield B. Altman Art Deco Silver Plated Tea Service Set, 4 Pc

Antique English Sheffield B. Altman Art Deco Silver Plated Tea Service Set, 4 Pc

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique English Sheffield B. Altman Art Deco Silver Plated Tea Service Set with Bakelite Handles - 4 Pcs. Set includes (1) Teapot, (1) Coffee pot, (1) Creamer, (1) Open sugar bowl al...

Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Tea Sets

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Spode Dollar Pattern Coffee Cups, Set of 9, English Porcelain Circa 1820
Antique Spode Dollar Pattern Coffee Cups, Set of 9, English Porcelain Circa 1820

Antique Spode Dollar Pattern Coffee Cups, Set of 9, English Porcelain Circa 1820

By Spode

Located in Katonah, NY

Perfect for a double espresso! These nine "Dollar" pattern porcelain coffee cups are handpainted in the exquisite "Dollar" pattern. Spode made this set in England circa 1820. The dec...

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

20-Piece Coffee Service Jacobean Pattern By W. H. Grindley & Co.
20-Piece Coffee Service Jacobean Pattern By W. H. Grindley & Co.

20-Piece Coffee Service Jacobean Pattern By W. H. Grindley & Co.

By W. H. Grindley & Co.

Located in Worcester Park, GB

This beautifully preserved vintage coffee service by W.H. Grindley & Co. stands out for its charming countryside motif, meticulous transferware detailing, and full, coordinated s...

Category

Mid-20th Century English Country Tea Sets

Materials

Earthenware

Lino Sabattini for Christofle, Modernist Teapot, 1960s
Lino Sabattini for Christofle, Modernist Teapot, 1960s

Lino Sabattini for Christofle, Modernist Teapot, 1960s

Located in København, Copenhagen

Lino Sabattini (1925-2016) for Christofle. Modernist teapot in silver plated metal, circa 1960. In very good condition. Stamped: Christofle Italy / ...

Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Sets

Japanese Satsuma Moriage Porcelain Tea Set, Set for Six, Japan
Japanese Satsuma Moriage Porcelain Tea Set, Set for Six, Japan

Japanese Satsuma Moriage Porcelain Tea Set, Set for Six, Japan

By Satsuma

Located in Milano, IT

Japanese Satsuma Moriage Porcelain Tea Set, 19th Century An exceptionally decorative and highly evocative Japanese Satsuma Moriage porcelain tea service, dating from the 19th century, consisting of a teapot, creamer, sugar bowl, and six teacups with matching saucers. This elegant set immediately catches the eye with its richly ornamented surfaces, where deep tones, luminous gilding, and finely hand-painted figural motifs come together in a composition of extraordinary visual impact. Each piece is carefully adorned with traditional Japanese figures—likely inspired by courtly or legendary subjects—framed within intricate decorative cartouches and surrounded by elaborate ornamental motifs. A particularly noteworthy feature of this service is the use of the Moriage technique, characterized by its delicate raised enamel decoration, which creates a softly sculptural, almost three-dimensional surface. This refined treatment enhances the depth and texture of the decoration, giving each element a precious and tactile quality. The interplay between the rich gilding, the polychrome accents, and the relief work demonstrates the high level of craftsmanship associated with Satsuma ware. The set is further enhanced by a series of beautifully rendered details: elegantly shaped handles, finely decorated spouts, and especially the expressive finials modeled in zoomorphic form, which give the lidded pieces a distinctive and dramatic presence. The contrast between the richly decorated exterior and the lighter-toned interior of the cups adds an additional sense of balance and refinement. Each piece contributes to a harmonious and visually opulent ensemble, reflecting the fascination with Japanese decorative arts that flourished during the Meiji period and beyond. More than just a tea set, this is a work of art worthy of display—an object capable of enhancing a cabinet, salon, or formal interior with its character, elegance, and historical significance. This set, which originated in a private home in Milan, is in good overall antique condition, with minor flaws and signs of age consistent with its age and use. These slight imperfections do not detract from its beauty; rather, they speak to its authenticity and its history. Elegant, rare, and highly decorative, this Satsuma tea service...

Category

Early 1900s Japanese Japonisme Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Antique George III Sterling Silver Tea-Coffeeset ivory Handles & Tray 1798-1800
Antique George III Sterling Silver Tea-Coffeeset ivory Handles & Tray 1798-1800

Antique George III Sterling Silver Tea-Coffeeset ivory Handles & Tray 1798-1800

Rare George III Sterling Silver Tea-Coffeeset ivory Handles plus tray 1799-1800 Hallmarked in London in 1798-9 by Charles Asprey, this superb, George III, Antique Sterling Silver Tea...

Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Sterling Silver

French porcelain Coffee / Tea Service for 10 People
French porcelain Coffee / Tea Service for 10 People

French porcelain Coffee / Tea Service for 10 People

Located in Beuzevillette, FR

Nice coffee or tea service from the first half of the 20th century for 10 people. Beautiful porcelain quality, white with fine gold edging and gold patterns on each piece. High Porce...

Category

Early 20th Century Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Attributed to Coalport Majolica Tête-à-Tête Cabaret Tea Service
Attributed to Coalport Majolica Tête-à-Tête Cabaret Tea Service

Attributed to Coalport Majolica Tête-à-Tête Cabaret Tea Service

Located in Nottingham, GB

Naturalistic wildlife forms define this miniature cabaret service, arranged for two on a dedicated two-handled oval tray. The service is headed by a teapot fashioned as an open-beake...

Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Majolica

Meissen Porcelain 'Old Rich Yellow Lion' Pattern Tea and Coffee Service, c. 1900
Meissen Porcelain 'Old Rich Yellow Lion' Pattern Tea and Coffee Service, c. 1900

Meissen Porcelain 'Old Rich Yellow Lion' Pattern Tea and Coffee Service, c. 1900

Located in New York, NY

Comprising 2 coffee pots (one with glaze crack), 2 teapots, 2 creamers (1 with restoration)and 2 covered sugars (1 with restoration), 6 coffee cups and saucers, 12 tea cups (2 with c...

Category

Early 1900s Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Robert Picault Vallauris Polychromed Ceramic Teapot, circa 1960
Robert Picault Vallauris Polychromed Ceramic Teapot, circa 1960

Robert Picault Vallauris Polychromed Ceramic Teapot, circa 1960

By Robert Picault

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

Striking ceramic teapot by French ceramicist Robert Picault, signed “RP” beneath the base. Dating to circa 1960, this piece reflects the distinctive and highly recognizable aesthetic...

Category

1960s French French Provincial Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Enamel

1970s Italian Ceramic Tea Set by Ambrogio Pozzi for Franco Pozzi
1970s Italian Ceramic Tea Set by Ambrogio Pozzi for Franco Pozzi

1970s Italian Ceramic Tea Set by Ambrogio Pozzi for Franco Pozzi

By Ambrogio Pozzi

Located in Nicolosi, IT

Elegant eight-piece Italian ceramic tea set from the 1970s, designed by Ambrogio Pozzi (1931–2012) for Ceramica Franco Pozzi and belonging to the celebrated Gresline collection. The...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Metal

John Prip for Reed & Barton Dimension Coffee Service Set
John Prip for Reed & Barton Dimension Coffee Service Set

John Prip for Reed & Barton Dimension Coffee Service Set

By John Prip, Reed & Barton

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Dimension service was introduced in 1961; the onion-shaped tea and coffee service in silver plate is a classic design that is currently on display at the Rhode Island School of Desi...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Tea Sets

Materials

Silver, Silver Plate

Six Royal Worcester Coffee Cups and Saucers, Harry Davis, circa 1920
Six Royal Worcester Coffee Cups and Saucers, Harry Davis, circa 1920

Six Royal Worcester Coffee Cups and Saucers, Harry Davis, circa 1920

Located in New York, NY

Painted in colors with London scenes, the interiors, handles and rims all gilt. Signed H. Davis, painted titles, impressed and printed marks in puce.

Category

1920s English Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Vallauris Coffee Set Yellow Brown Ceramic, Mid-Century Modern, France, 1950
Vallauris Coffee Set Yellow Brown Ceramic, Mid-Century Modern, France, 1950

Vallauris Coffee Set Yellow Brown Ceramic, Mid-Century Modern, France, 1950

By Vallauris

Located in Paris, FR

Authentic French Mid Century Modern creative full coffee set with incredible stunning shapes in a great combination of colors brown and yellow. Very Arty ! By Vallauris, where Picas...

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic

Japanese Silver Plated 5-Piece Coffee or Tea Set
Japanese Silver Plated 5-Piece Coffee or Tea Set

Japanese Silver Plated 5-Piece Coffee or Tea Set

Located in North Miami, FL

Japanese silver plated 5-piece coffee or tea set Dimensions: Serving tray, 26.5 wide, 14.5 deep, 1 inch tall Larger coffee pot, 11.75 inches tall, 12.5 deep, 5.5 wide Smaller tea...

Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique French Sèvres Style Cobalt Blue Gold Gilt Jewelled Porcelain Tea Set Ser
Antique French Sèvres Style Cobalt Blue Gold Gilt Jewelled Porcelain Tea Set Ser

Antique French Sèvres Style Cobalt Blue Gold Gilt Jewelled Porcelain Tea Set Ser

By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres

Located in London, GB

Antique French Sèvres Style Cobalt Blue Gold Gilt Jewelled Porcelain Tea Set Service French, Late 19th Century Smallest (teapot): Height 15cm, width 18cm, depth 11cm Largest (tray)...

Category

Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Extensive Augarten Porcelain Dinner, Coffee and Tea Service, circa 1935
Extensive Augarten Porcelain Dinner, Coffee and Tea Service, circa 1935

Extensive Augarten Porcelain Dinner, Coffee and Tea Service, circa 1935

Located in New York, NY

Special commission from the factory for the Brucknerstift St. Florian, a seminary located on the outskirts of Vienna. Blue crowned Bindenshield and Wien Mark, iron-red printed hash m...

Category

1930s Austrian Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Porcelain - Tea set with tray - Meissen - 19th century
Porcelain - Tea set with tray - Meissen - 19th century

Porcelain - Tea set with tray - Meissen - 19th century

Located in Porto, PT

Porcelain - Tea set with tray - Meissen - 19th century. Made of 19th-century German porcelain; possibly from Meissen. Comprising: teapot; sugar bowl...

Category

19th Century German Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

George II English Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, London, 1757
George II English Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, London, 1757

George II English Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, London, 1757

Located in Torino, IT

Tea caddy, all-over repousse and hand-chased decoration. Marked underneath.

Category

18th Century and Earlier English Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Sterling 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.