Tea Sets
to
392
2,056
210
20
214
534
1,308
230
349
538
217
66
37
53
90
29
83
103
66
66
15
250
166
152
124
85
68
60
41
36
27
24
19
17
15
6
5
3
2
1,174
1,107
794
772
377
1,362
778
1,530
509
424
332
289
2,286
2,160
2,234
33
29
28
21
20
Tea Sets For Sale
Dragon Trainer Teapot, Handmade in Italy, Luxury Handcrafted, 2021
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Our artisan's pieces are a dream come true, as in Disney's Alice in Wonderland.
Ceramic tea service are completely hand-crafted and painted with love and care.
Sometimes we all just need to have a little stress relief. We want to escape the ordinary days, made of work and pain.
Give yourself a little gift with those fabolous creations full of poetry and fairytales.
Our artist models every single detail with patience and love, to bring us back in a world made of dreams and feelings.
The collection recalls Alice in wonderland and Cinderella, taking us to a trip in our childhood, a world that lives silently inside, giving us the strength to always believe...
Category
2010s Italian Baroque Tea Sets
Materials
Ceramic
Antique English Sheffield Silver Plate Hnd Chsd Louis XIV Tipping Kettle & Stand
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
The FINEST Antique English Sheffield Silver Plate Louis Quatorze (XVI) Style Large Size Tipping Kettle on Stand. The Kettle retains its original pins and c...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Louis XIV Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Silver Plate
Silver and Lacquer Sake Set by Unno Shomin
Located in New Orleans, LA
Silver and Lacquer Sake Set
Unno Shomin
Meiji period, late 19th century
This extraordinary sake set exemplifies the pinnacle of Japanese craftsmanship, created by the esteemed Unno ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Four Gilded Age Mansard, Paris Sevres Style Porcelain Tea Services
Located in Sharon, CT
Each service comprised of a cup, saucer and dessert plate. 12 pieces in all. All hand painted in 24 Ct. gold by the Paris firm Mansard c. 1890. Blanks most likely Sevres. Cup handles...
Category
1890s French Belle Époque Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Anchorage Silver Plated Brass Teapot, by Peter Shire from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The anchorage teapot, was originally designed by Peter Shire in 1982. The Teapot is in brass with plated silver, and is also available in solid 925 silver. Prices may vary for the st...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tea Sets
Materials
Brass, Silver
Le Mieux 7 Piece 24kt Gold Porcelain Set
By Le Mieux
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a stunning Le Mieux 7 Piece 24kt gold Porcelain set.
Marked for “Le Mieux China …. 24karat gold … hand decorated”
The Set consists of a...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Tea Sets
Materials
Gold Plate
Early Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Flamestone Coffee / Tea Set
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Denmark 'Flamestone' coffee or tea pot, creamer, and sugar by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk designs, circa 1958-1964.
Features the Flamestone signature slate, almost brown glazed-ear...
Category
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Sets
Materials
Earthenware, Porcelain
Pair of Antique 1890 English Bone China Tea Cup and Saucer Sets
Located in Sheffield, MA
Treat yourself and a friend to enjoying a perfect cup of tea with this fine pair of antique Victorian 1890 English bone china cup and saucer set...
Category
1890s Victorian Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Victorian Silver Kettle on Stand 1843 London England
Located in London, GB
A magnificent solid silver antique Victorian Kettle on stand. The Kettle has a delicately faceted shape with each panel featuring a detailed engraved design featuring birds, scrolls and stylised leaves and flowers. The Kettle rests on an ornate stand with a burner in the centre and is secured to the stand with two sturdy pins on chains.
Made in London, England in 1843 by Joseph and George Angell.
Approx. Weight - 2358g / 75.81oz
Measures: Approx. Height - 47.9cm
Approx. Width - 24.3cm
This Victorian Silver Kettle...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
1982 Modern Copco Black & White Glazed Ceramic Teapot & 4 Mugs by Sam Lebowitz
By Copco
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous 1982 Modern to Postmodern Copco black & white glazed ceramic lidded teapot, 2 white mugs with black stripes, and 2 black mugs with white stripes, designed by Sam Lebowitz. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been refinished or restored. We have found no chips, cracks, or chiggers. Please see photos and zoom in for details as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections as they are part of the condition report. Circa, 1982.
“Just tea for two, and two for tea, just me for you and you for me…” Yes, please Tony Bennett, I would LOVE some tea….. Especially if you’re serving it from this delightful teapot and mugs designed by Sam Lebowitz for Copco!!! This is a gorgeous tea set comprised of a glazed ceramic lidded teapot black with white stripes, two white mugs with black stripes, and two black mugs with white stripes. They are stamped by Cosco 1982, Made in Korea on the bases and they are in excellent vintage condition. They will be beautiful on your buffet, bar, kitchen table, or serving tray and although it’s called a teapot, that shouldn’t limit your warm beverage selections… coffee or hot chocolate will pour just as delightfully from the spout! The black and white of it is this…. They are bursting with timeless style, bear a classic Modern to Postmodern appearance, and have the reputation of an iconic manufacturer & designer… This tea set by Copco is EXACTLY what the designer ordered!
Copco was launched in 1960 by Harvard graduate and entrepreneur Sam Farber. It was a houseware company located in Denmark known for its well-designed, colorful cookware and tea kettles including porcelain-enameled cast iron cookware...
Category
Late 20th Century Danish Modern Tea Sets
Materials
Ceramic
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Period Topographical Porcelain Cup and Saucer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique German Biedermeier period topographical porcelain cup and saucer.
The front decorated with a finely hand painted depiction of ...
Category
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Cased Tea Set, English Ceramic, Coffee Cans, Silver Spoon, Hallmark 1932
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage cased tea set. An English, ceramic and Sterling silver coffee can service, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1930.
Fascinating te...
Category
Early 20th Century British Tea Sets
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Gerald Benney Sterling Silver Coffee Pot on Stand, 1965
Located in London, GB
An impressive sterling silver coffee pot made by Gerald Benney. This magnificent Coffee Post if of a large size and has an elegant polished form. It rests on a round Silver Stand.
Made in London, England in 1965 by Gerald Benney.
Approx. Weight - 1596g / 51.32oz
Approx. total height - 31.2cm
Approx. height coffee pot only - 29.4cm
Approx. diameter of stand - 16.6cm
Both coffee pot & stand each have Full English Hallmarks.
This coffee pot on stand...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Pinxton Tea Service, Monochrome Orange Japanese Style Blood & Milk, ca 1800
Located in London, GB
Any porcelain made at the Pinxton porcelain factory is rare, but to find a complete tea service is even rarer! This wonderful service was made around...
Category
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Irish Provincial Silver Coffee Pot Cork 1775 18th Century Georgian
Located in London, GB
An impressive Antique Irish Provincial Sterling Silver Coffee Pot with a classic baluster form and decorated with elegant floral chased patterns. The Cork Coffee Pot has a pair of shaped cartouches, one plain and one with a small engraved crest engraved in the centre. The spout of the Coffee Pot is decorated with acanthus leaf detailing. The Coffee Pot stands on a spread pedestal foot and has a wooden handle.
Made in Cork, Ireland in c. 1775 by John Nicholson...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Karl Raichle Tea Set 1930
By Karl Raichle
Located in Encino, CA
Karl RAICHLE,
Urach. Mocha set, tea set.
Mocha pot, creamer, sugar bowl, tray.
Four pieces in white metal (tin) and wood.
Germany Circa 1930.
...
Category
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Tea Sets
Materials
Pewter
Boxed silver-plated picnic tea set
Located in London, GB
This rare silver-plated travelling tea set was designed by Dr Christopher Dresser and bears all the design qualities for which he was known. The clean lines and practical features ar...
Category
18th Century Edwardian Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique George III Silver Coffee Pot on Stand 1783
Located in London, GB
An impressive Antique George III Sterling Silver Coffee Pot on a Silver Stand. This classic Georgian Coffee Pot has a subtle bead edged border on the lid, shoulder, column and base. The Coffee Pot has a wooden handle. The Stand has a round form and is embellished with a matching bead border. Both the Coffee Pot and Stand have an engraved monogram.
Made in London, England in 1783 by Thomas Chawner.
Approx. Weight - 1080g / 34.72oz
Approx. Height - 33.6cm
Approx. Width Handle to Spout - 22.8cm
Approx. Diameter of Stand - 13.2cm
Both the Georgian silver coffee pot...
Category
18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
George III sterling silver 'drum' teapot made in London in 1775 by John King
By John King
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1775 by John King, this George III period, Antique Sterling Silver Teapot, is 'drum' shaped, and features a wooden handle and finial. The teapot measures 4.5"...
Category
1770s English George III Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Antique Silverplate Tea Kettle or Coffee Pot, 1902
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique silverplate tea kettle or coffee pot
By Tiffany & Co.
USA, 1902
Measures: 7.5"W x 4"D x 9.75"H.
Good original vintage condition.
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Tea Sets
Materials
Silver Plate
Kuznetsov Porcelain Tea Set
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique Russian Kuznetsov porcelain factory tea set for 6 persons, including 6 cups, 6 saucers, and teapot with cover. Cobalt and gold, Handpainted floral design. No paint loss . Gre...
Category
Early 1900s Latvian Neoclassical Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Limited Edition Memphis Post-Modern Porcelain Teapot and Cups by J. Mihalik Art4
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare and beautiful limited edition Memphis style post-modern porcelain teapot and and six cups by Juraj Mihalik for Art4 Ceramics of Slovakia, circa 1980s. The set in very good cond...
Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Post-Modern Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Incredible George IV period sterling silver tea set - 9.7kg - made in 1821-1826
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London between 1821 and 1826 by John Edward Terrey, this incredible, George IV period, Antique Sterling Silver Tea Set, comprises a tea urn, coffee pot on warming stand...
Category
1820s English Romantic Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Georgian Sterling Silver Coffee Pot, 1821
By John Watson & Son
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique George IV solid Silver Coffee Pot featuring a lovely chased design showing stylized floral and scroll patterning with shell...
Category
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Oriente Italiano Rubrum Set Of 2 Tea Cups With Tray
Located in Milan, IT
A deep red enhances the set of tea cups with saucers, embellished with the refined Rubrum pattern. Complete with platter, this tea cup set is the ideal accompaniment for those who ap...
Category
2010s Italian Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Copper Dovetailed Goose Neck Tea Coffee Pot Kettle 12"
Located in Dayton, OH
Large 19th century dovetailed copper farmhouse kettle / coffee pot with gooseneck shaped spout, rotating bail handle and scrolled finial on the lid.
Dimensions:
9.75" x 9" x 11.75" ...
Category
Late 19th Century Country Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Copper
Vintage Regency Filagree 800 Sterling Tea Service - 5 Pieces
Located in west palm beach, FL
This exquisite 800 sterling silver tea service set is a stunning example of timeless Regency elegance. Featuring intricate filigree engravings and ornate black curved handles, each p...
Category
Early 20th Century American Regency Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Reed & Barton, Six Piece Tea and Coffee Service, US, circa 1872
Located in New York, NY
Comprising: teapot, coffeepot, creamer, sugar bowl with cover, slop bowl, and spooner with servant's bell.
Each stamped: MFD & PLATED BY / REED & BARTON / 2585
Each teapot stamped: ...
Category
1870s American Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Silver Plate
Antique George III Quality Copper Kettle
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III quality copper kettle having a quality antique George lll copper kettle with a shaped handle and spout lift of lid.
Measures: H 31 x W 31 X 22 cm
Date 1800.
Category
Early 1800s English George III Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Copper
Pair Ringtons Teapots
Located in South Salem, NY
A pair of English early 20th C. Edwardian tearoom teapots for Ringtons Tea Merchants in their iconic blue and white Willow pattern. Wear consiste...
Category
Early 20th Century English Tea Sets
Materials
Ceramic
Outstanding Molded Painted Pearlware Teapot & Cover, Possibly Wilson
Located in Downingtown, PA
Outstanding Molded Painted Botanical Pearlware Teapot & Cover,
Possibly Robert Wilson,
Circa 1795
A fabulous molded and painted teapot decorated ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Pottery
Samuel Alcock Tearcup Trio, Maroon, Yellow, Gilt and Fine Landscapes, ca 1845
Located in London, GB
A true trio consisting of a teacup, a coffee cup and a saucer, “rustic bean” shape, in deep maroon and pale yellow ground, with gilt and finely painted landscape reserves
Pattern 95...
Category
1840s English Rococo Revival Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Minton Teacup Trio, Bath Embossed, Green Flowers Patt. 38/680, ca 1830
By Minton
Located in London, GB
This is an elegant "true trio" consisting of a teacup, coffee cup and saucer, made by Minton in about 1830. The set is decorated with the beautifully hand painted pattern no. 680 con...
Category
1830s English Rococo Revival Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Rosenthal Form 2000 Bjørn Wiinblad "Prater" Coffee Service, Set of 19 Pieces
Located in Miami, FL
In 1954 Rosenthal Studio-Linie of Germany introduced the Form 2000 dinnerware first designed by the industrial designers, Raymond Loewy (French-American, b. 1893 - d. 1986) and Richa...
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Tea Service, English, Silver Plated, Teapot, Dish, Milk Jug, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique tea service. An English, silver plated teapot, bon bon dish and milk jug, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910.
Attract...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Tea Sets
Materials
Silver Plate
Antique George III Georgian Silver Teapot on Stand 1804 Tea Pot
Located in London, GB
An Antique George III solid Silver Teapot on Stand decorated with a delicate engraved design on the Teapot and on the Oval Tray below. The Teapo...
Category
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Derby Coffee Cup, Monochrome Sepia Landscapes Zachariah Boreman, ca 1785
By Derby, Crown Derby
Located in London, GB
This is a very rare and stunning coffee cup and saucer made by Derby in about 1785. The set has a white ground with graceful gilding, and two stunning little landscapes painted by Za...
Category
1780s English Romantic Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Gilt Gold Russian Lomonosov Porcelain Coffee & Tea Service / by A. Vorobievsky
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Exquisite Hand-Painted and Gilt Gold Russian Lomonosov Porcelain Coffee & Tea Service for 8, Designed by A. Vorobievsky (1990s)
This stunning 34-pie...
Category
1990s Russian Tea Sets
Materials
Gold
Tuareg African Pewter Tea Pot from Mauritania
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage African Tuareg teapot Mauritania
Mid-20th century Tuareg teapot from Mauritania, Africa, Western Sahara.
Handcrafted of pewter, copper and brass ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mauritanian Folk Art Tea Sets
Materials
Brass, Copper, Pewter
Paris Porcelain Restauration Style Tea Set, France, Circa 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
Charming Restauration style Paris porcelain tea set with red and gold Amati background, composed of a teapot, five cups with winding handle and their saucer, and a bowl. This set, li...
Category
1880s French Restauration Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Gold
Rare Victorian Silver Tea and Coffee Set by Edward C. Brown
Located in London, GB
Rare Victorian silver tea and coffee set by Edward C. Brown
English, 1867
Milk jug: Height 7.5cm, width 14cm, depth 10cm
Teapot on stand: Height 29cm, width 23cm, depth 20cm
Crafted by Edward Charles...
Category
1860s English Victorian Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Puiforcat (Hermes): 4pc. French Louis XVI Sterling Tea Set + Tetard Silver Tray
By Puiforcat
Located in Wilmington, DE
Direct from Paris, a stunning 4pc. antique French 950 sterling silver Louis XVI tea set by France’s premier silversmith “Puiforcat”, currently owned by Hermes, in like new condition ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
Höchst Classic Porcelain Pink Design Coffee Set 20th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine German porcelain Höchst three part coffee set in the Classic pattern, the stylish set decorated in puce with gilding highlights and comprising of a tall cylindrical shaped lid...
Category
20th Century German Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Porcelain Coffee Set Hutschenreuther, Germany
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage coffee set of 4.
HUTSCHENREUTHER Germany Coffee Cups and Saucers.
The price is for all Set (4 Cups + 4 Saucer).
In excellent cond...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Regency period antique sterling silver 3 piece tea set made in London in 1819
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1819 by Joseph Angell II, this handsome, Regency Period, Antique Sterling Silver Tea Set, comprises a teapot, cream jug and sugar bowl, all standing on 4 ball...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Christian Dior 20th century - tea service on its sterling silver and lapis tray
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHRISTIAN DIOR DECORATION
Three-piece tea service in solid silver and lapis lazuli composed of a teapot, a milk jug and a sugar bowl, oblong in shape whose handles and grips are deco...
Category
20th Century Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique George III Quality Copper Kettle
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III quality copper kettle having a quality antique George III copper kettle with a shaped handle and spout lift of lid
Measures: ...
Category
Early 1800s English George III Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Copper
Art Deco Tea Service by Hildegard Delius ar 1930 uranium glaze + cups + plates
Located in Landshut, BY
Designer (execution): Hildegard Delius (1896-1955)
Designer (presumed): Gerhard Meisel (1903-1979)
Manufacturer (collaboration): Keramikfabriken Neuha...
Category
1930s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Sets
Materials
Pottery
Six-Piece English Silver Tea and Coffee Service
Located in London, GB
Six-piece English silver tea and coffee service
English, circa 1850-1863
Tray: Height 6cm, width 58cm, depth 58cm
Kettle on stand: Height 43cm, width 29cm, depth 23cm
Weight: 7,150 grammes
This beautiful six-piece coffee and tea service is wrought from solid silver in a wonderfully ornate style. The service is a composite one, containing pieces produced by several different silversmiths, through the pieces follow a homogeneous design scheme, creating a matching set. The service is comprised of a raised...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Faceted Teapot engraved Flowers Joseph Angell, 752g Silver, London 1841
Located in Paris, FR
This exceptional 19th-century antique Victorian English sterling silver teapot was crafted by Joseph Angell Sr. & Joseph Angell Jr. in London in 1841. Is a remarkable addition to any...
Category
19th Century English Rococo Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Paris Porcelain Tea Service, circa 1860
Located in New York, NY
Comprising 2 pots, creamer (handle restored), covered sugar (finial restored), and 8 cups and saucers.
Category
1860s French Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Set of 6 Lenox Art Nouveau Silver Overlay Cup & Saucers
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This set of 6 rare shaped hexagonal cups and saucers are made by the Ceramic Art Company, ca. 1887-1900 which later became Lenox. They are profusely decorated with elegant Art Nouveau sterling silver overlay with geometrically placed flowers which provides a lovely contrast to the rich cobalt blue ground. The rare shape adds to the beauty and uniqueness of design. The saucers measure 4.75" x 4.75".
This set of 6 Ceramic Art Company/Lenox cobalt...
Category
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Large Antique Worcester Porcelain Cup & Saucer England Circa 1820
Located in Katonah, NY
This large cup and saucer were hand-painted by Flight Barr and Barr Worcester at the Worcester Porcelain factory around 1820.
The vibrant blue ground features an extraordinary shade ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Silver Plated and Rosewood Tea Set by Aurea, 1960s.
Located in New York, NY
Silver Plated, Rosewood
Tray: H 4.5 cm x W 36.5 cm x D 30 cm H 1,77 in. x W 14,37 in. x D 11,81 in.
Piece 1: H 15 cm x W 7.5 cm x D 14 cm H 5,90 in. x W 2,95 in. x D 5,51 in.
Piece...
Category
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Sets
Materials
Silver Plate
Vintage FB Rogers Victorian Silver Plated Tea Set with Tilting Pot - 6 Pc Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage FB Rogers Victorian Style Silver Plated Tea Set with Tilting Pot - 6 Pc Set. Circa Mid to Late 20th Century.
Measurements:
Tray: 2.5" H x 29" W x 18" D
Tilting Tea Pot: 14....
Category
Mid-20th Century Victorian Tea Sets
Materials
Silver Plate
Antique Silver Plated Octagonal Tea Caddy with Lapis Lazuli Colored Detail
Located in Tilburg, NL
Antique silver plated tea caddy with Lapis Lazuli colored detail. First half of the 20th century.
Beautiful and wonderfully patinat...
Category
Early 20th Century Tea Sets
Materials
Silver, Silver Plate
WAS Benson. A good quality small Arts & Crafts copper and brass teapot
Located in London, GB
W A S Benson. A good quality small copper and brass teapot.
Category
Early 1900s Arts and Crafts Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Copper
Darte Frères Faux Tortoise and Gilt Partial Coffee Service
By Darte Frères
Located in New York, NY
Darte Frères Faux Tortoise and Gilt Partial Coffee Service. Antique Empire Paris porcelain by Darte Frères 1795-1825 in a rich mocha faux tortoise pattern with neoclassical decorativ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
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.