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Tea Sets For Sale
Silver Plate Tea and Coffee Set, Bamboo Model by Christofle, France, circa 1890
Silver Plate Tea and Coffee Set, Bamboo Model by Christofle, France, circa 1890

Silver Plate Tea and Coffee Set, Bamboo Model by Christofle, France, circa 1890

By Christofle

Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires

Silver-plate tea and coffee set, bamboo model by Christofle, France, circa 1890. 1 tray, 1 samovar, 1 teapot, 1 coffeepot, 1 sugar bowl and 1 milk jug. All pieces are signed.

Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Silver Plate

19th-Century Majolica Minton Chinese Man Figural Teapot
19th-Century Majolica Minton Chinese Man Figural Teapot

19th-Century Majolica Minton Chinese Man Figural Teapot

By Minton

Located in LOS ANGELES, CA

19th-Century Majolica Minton Chinese man figural teapot. It is wonderfully whimsical and features a Chinese man form with excellent coloring. Additio...

Category

19th Century Chinoiserie Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Pottery

Rare American Aesthetic Movement Six-Piece Silver-Plated Coffee and Tea Service
Rare American Aesthetic Movement Six-Piece Silver-Plated Coffee and Tea Service

Rare American Aesthetic Movement Six-Piece Silver-Plated Coffee and Tea Service

Located in Los Angeles, CA

An Impressive and Rare American Aesthetic Movement Six-Piece Silver-Plated Coffee and Tea Service. The ornately designed service with griffon finials and raised on a tapered and foo...

Category

Early 1900s American Aesthetic Movement Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Silver Plate

Espresso set for 6 people with Stone Age painting Lascaux, France 1960s
Espresso set for 6 people with Stone Age painting Lascaux, France 1960s

Espresso set for 6 people with Stone Age painting Lascaux, France 1960s

Located in Hannover, DE

Stunning espresso set for 6 people. The pot is 15cm high and the plates are 10cm wide, 9cm deep and 1.5cm high. This dreamy service reflects a piece of contemporary history, created ...

Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Pottery

1940s Bauhaus Stainless Tea Kettle Pot Style Peter Behrens
1940s Bauhaus Stainless Tea Kettle Pot Style Peter Behrens

1940s Bauhaus Stainless Tea Kettle Pot Style Peter Behrens

By Peter Behrens

Located in Chula Vista, CA

For your consideration, a D & S personal tea kettle pot stainless steel. Bauhaus clean modern design style of Peter Behrens. Handle with cane wrap. Stamped at the bottom. Dimensio...

Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Tea Sets

Materials

Stainless Steel

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

Tiffany & Co. Style Art Deco Silverplate Tea Kettle or Coffee Pot
Tiffany & Co. Style Art Deco Silverplate Tea Kettle or Coffee Pot

Tiffany & Co. Style Art Deco Silverplate Tea Kettle or Coffee Pot

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous antique Art Deco or Victorian silver plate tea kettle or coffee pot In the manner of Tiffany & Co. By Civic England, Circa Early 20th Century Measures: 10.75"W x ...

Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Tea Sets

Materials

Silver Plate

Set of 2 Japanese Postmodern Stainless Steel Kettle
Set of 2 Japanese Postmodern Stainless Steel Kettle

Set of 2 Japanese Postmodern Stainless Steel Kettle

Located in Hamburg, DE

Japanese Postmodern Stainless Steel Kettle, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 Additional information: Materials: Metal, Pla...

Category

20th Century Japanese Post-Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Metal

Italian Tea Service Guido Andlovitz Italy 1940s with Venice and Gondolas Laveno
Italian Tea Service Guido Andlovitz Italy 1940s with Venice and Gondolas Laveno

Italian Tea Service Guido Andlovitz Italy 1940s with Venice and Gondolas Laveno

By Guido Andloviz

Located in Palermo, Sicily

Saucers diameter 14.5 cm Cups diameter 12 cm, height 4 cm Teapot height 20 cm, width 25 cm, depth 10 cm Sugar bowl 13 cm high, 14 cm wide, 7 cm deep. Spout 11 cm high, 14 cm wide...

Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen, Rich Court Dragon, Five-Person Purple Tea Service with Gold Decoration
Meissen, Rich Court Dragon, Five-Person Purple Tea Service with Gold Decoration

Meissen, Rich Court Dragon, Five-Person Purple Tea Service with Gold Decoration

Located in København, Copenhagen

Meissen, Rich Court Dragon, a five-person purple tea service with gold decoration. Consisting of five pairs of teacups and a cream jug. Hand-painted. Approx. 1920. In perfect cond...

Category

1920s German Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Art Deco Spanish Silver Coffee and Tea Set
Art Deco Spanish Silver Coffee and Tea Set

Art Deco Spanish Silver Coffee and Tea Set

Located in London, GB

Art Deco Spanish silver coffee and tea set Spanish, c. 1930 Tray: height 3cm, width 56cm, depth 35cm Milk jug: height 10cm, width 13cm, depth 8cm ...

Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Art Deco Tea Sets

Materials

Silver

Reed & Barton Francis I Sterling Silver Teapot
Reed & Barton Francis I Sterling Silver Teapot

Reed & Barton Francis I Sterling Silver Teapot

By Reed & Barton

Located in New York, NY

Francis I sterling silver teapot. Made by Reed & Barton in Taunton, Mass. Bellied ovoid body on domed foot, high-looping leaf-capped scroll handle, and leaf-capped s-scroll handl...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Renaissance Revival Tea Sets

Materials

Sterling Silver

Glass Coffeemaker Handmade , Milady, Italy, Kanz
Glass Coffeemaker Handmade , Milady, Italy, Kanz

Glass Coffeemaker Handmade , Milady, Italy, Kanz

By kanz

Located in Venezia, Veneto

Milandy is a borosilicate glass filter coffee maker, not simply a coffee maker, but a functional object that enhances the essence of the chemical process of coffee extraction. Milad...

Category

2010s Italian Other Tea Sets

Materials

Blown Glass

Brass Teapot, Regency England 1820s
Brass Teapot, Regency England 1820s

Brass Teapot, Regency England 1820s

Located in Knivsta, SE

A striking teapot in brass with handle in wood. 1820s Regency England, during first the regency of the Prince of Wales as a result of his father's mental illness and the later reign of the aforementioned prince as George IV. The period, with its political, economic and cultural flourishing, was immortalized in the works of Jane Austen and Lord Byron. With a refined design and use of material, this teapot makes for a charming addition to any table. The refined simplicity in its use of form highlights the materiality of the piece, which is complimented by the patinated handle with its charming lion...

Category

1820s English Regency Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Brass

1935 Jean E Puiforcat Art Deco Modernist Tea Coffee Set Sterling Silver Rosewood
1935 Jean E Puiforcat Art Deco Modernist Tea Coffee Set Sterling Silver Rosewood

1935 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 1935s. Service including: - a coffee pot - a teapot - a milkpot - a sugar pot...

Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tiffany Silver Tea Caddy Set, circa 1910
Tiffany Silver Tea Caddy Set, circa 1910

Tiffany Silver Tea Caddy Set, circa 1910

Located in New York, NY

Consisting of a pair of tea caddies and a sugar box in its original wood container. "Reproduction original by Samuel Taylor London 1745."

Category

Early 20th Century American Tea Sets

Materials

Sterling Silver

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

Arne Jacobsen Mid Century Modern Tea or Coffee Set in Stainless by Stelton
Arne Jacobsen Mid Century Modern Tea or Coffee Set in Stainless by Stelton

Arne Jacobsen Mid Century Modern Tea or Coffee Set in Stainless by Stelton

By Arne Jacobsen, Stelton

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A vintage tea set by Arne Jacobsen from Denmark circa 1960s. It features all stainless steel and Bakelite construction. Comes with all of the pieces shown and sold as a set.

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Stainless Steel

Marius Giuge Fine Gilded Ceramic Tea and Coffee Set, Vallauris, circa 1960s
Marius Giuge Fine Gilded Ceramic Tea and Coffee Set, Vallauris, circa 1960s

Marius Giuge Fine Gilded Ceramic Tea and Coffee Set, Vallauris, circa 1960s

By Marius Giuge

Located in Antwerp, BE

The beautiful set comprised of a tea or coffee pot, a cream jug and a sugar bowl with lid and thirteen cups and saucers, each piece with gilded borders. Exquisite ceramic, a make pr...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Gianni Versace for Rosenthal, Five Large "Ivy Leaves" Teacups with Saucers
Gianni Versace for Rosenthal, Five Large "Ivy Leaves" Teacups with Saucers

Gianni Versace for Rosenthal, Five Large "Ivy Leaves" Teacups with Saucers

Located in København, Copenhagen

Gianni versace for Rosenthal. Five large "Ivy Leaves" teacups with saucers, late 20th century. In perfect condition. The cup measures: 10.5 x 6 cm. The saucer measures: 16.5 cm. ...

Category

Late 20th Century German Post-Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Italian Sterling Silver Teapot, Camel Design, Milan, 1990
Vintage Italian Sterling Silver Teapot, Camel Design, Milan, 1990

Vintage Italian Sterling Silver Teapot, Camel Design, Milan, 1990

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

A magnificent, exceptional, fine and impressive vintage Italian sterling silver teapot modelled in the form of a camel; an addition to our silver teaware collection. This magnificen...

Category

1990s Italian Tea Sets

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Memphis Silver Plate and Lucite Tea and Coffee Service by Guildart, circa 1980
Memphis Silver Plate and Lucite Tea and Coffee Service by Guildart, circa 1980

Memphis Silver Plate and Lucite Tea and Coffee Service by Guildart, circa 1980

Located in Atlanta, GA

Indulge in the artistry of the Memphis Movement with this extraordinary coffee and tea service, a rare, expertly crafted creation by renowned silversmith Guildart, Paris, circa 1980....

Category

1980s French Modern Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Metal

Tiffany & co staffordshire Porcelain Tea Cups and Saucers, 12 Pieces
Tiffany & co staffordshire Porcelain Tea Cups and Saucers, 12 Pieces

Tiffany & co staffordshire Porcelain Tea Cups and Saucers, 12 Pieces

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Plainview, NY

This exquisite Tiffany & Co porcelain tea set features 6 beautifully crafted tea cups and 6 matching saucers. The set, made in Staffordshire, is marked on the bottom and signed by th...

Category

20th Century Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Belleek 15 piece NEPTUNE Tea Set
Vintage Belleek 15 piece NEPTUNE Tea Set

Vintage Belleek 15 piece NEPTUNE Tea Set

By Belleek Pottery Ltd.

Located in Pasadena, TX

This is a highly sought after set of Belleek Neptune porcelain. This tea set has 15 pieces. It has 5 cups and 6 saucers. A teapot, a serving tray, a sa...

Category

1960s Irish Late Victorian Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Large Silver Plated Pedestal Punch Bowl Set w/ 12 Cups - 14 Pc Set
Vintage Large Silver Plated Pedestal Punch Bowl Set w/ 12 Cups - 14 Pc Set

Vintage Large Silver Plated Pedestal Punch Bowl Set w/ 12 Cups - 14 Pc Set

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage Large Silver Plated Pedestal Base Punch Bowl Set w/ 12 Pedestal Base Cups and Ladle (14 Pc Set). Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: Punch Bowl: 12.25" H x 16" W x 16" D (...

Category

Late 20th Century Victorian Tea Sets

Materials

Silver Plate

Postmodern Rare Tea Kettle Designed by Michael Graves
Postmodern Rare Tea Kettle Designed by Michael Graves

Postmodern Rare Tea Kettle Designed by Michael Graves

By Michael Graves (b.1934)

Located in San Diego, CA

A Classic postmodern Memphis era design teapot designed by Michael Graves, circa the 1980s, a rare design not many were produced it's in good condition except for a ding on the botto...

Category

20th Century North American Post-Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Stainless Steel

Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal Studio Linie  “Copper Luster” Coffee Service
Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal Studio Linie  “Copper Luster” Coffee Service

Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal Studio Linie “Copper Luster” Coffee Service

By Rosenthal, Bjorn Wiinblad

Located in Chicago, IL

Fifty piece coffee and tea service by Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal’s Studio Line. The set is called the “Hilton” as it first appeared at the Berlin Hilton Hotel, Germany. The set con...

Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Copper

1990s Memphis Milano Style Black and White Coffee Set by Taruschio
1990s Memphis Milano Style Black and White Coffee Set by Taruschio

1990s Memphis Milano Style Black and White Coffee Set by Taruschio

By Memphis Group

Located in Aci Castello, IT

This Memphis Milano-style Italian ceramic coffee set characterized by its bold, geometric design and avant-garde aesthetic. The coffee set features conical cups with triangular bases...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic

Sarreguemines Porcelain Minton Tea/Coffee Set, End 19th C.
Sarreguemines Porcelain Minton Tea/Coffee Set, End 19th C.

Sarreguemines Porcelain Minton Tea/Coffee Set, End 19th C.

By Sarreguemines

Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR

This beautiful Minton-pattern tea and coffee set by Sarreguemines captures the charm and elegance of late-19th-century French ceramic artistry. Made in France at the end of the 1800s...

Category

1890s French Napoleon III Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Cobalt Blue 24carat Gold Set.
Cobalt Blue 24carat Gold Set.

Cobalt Blue 24carat Gold Set.

$1,638Sale Price / set|20% Off

Cobalt Blue 24carat Gold Set.

Located in Nantwich, GB

Elegant Venetian Murano Demitasse Tea Set (9 pieces) hand painted enameled flowers finished in 24 carat gold. Add a touch of timeless elegance with this exquisite vintage hand blown ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Other Tea Sets

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Vintage Paragon Double Warrant Bone China Teacup & Saucer with Red Cabbage Rose
Vintage Paragon Double Warrant Bone China Teacup & Saucer with Red Cabbage Rose

Vintage Paragon Double Warrant Bone China Teacup & Saucer with Red Cabbage Rose

By Paragon

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This teacup and saucer set was made by the renowned Paragon fine bone china factory of England in approximately 1960. The set is done with a pastel mint green ground with a large red offset cabbage rose on the inside of the cup which is replicated on the saucer. Both the cup and saucer are marked with the Paragon 'Double Warrant...

Category

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

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Set of Four Samson Paris Polychrome Demitasse Cups & Saucers
19th Century Set of Four Samson Paris Polychrome Demitasse Cups & Saucers

19th Century Set of Four Samson Paris Polychrome Demitasse Cups & Saucers

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

This superb set of four demitasse cups and saucers is an exceptional example of the refined and richly decorative work produced by Samson, Paris, in the late 19th century. Each cup f...

Category

19th Century French Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

1970s Fitz And Floyd Hand Painted Owl Tea Set Tea Pot Creamer Sugar Salt Pepper
1970s Fitz And Floyd Hand Painted Owl Tea Set Tea Pot Creamer Sugar Salt Pepper

1970s Fitz And Floyd Hand Painted Owl Tea Set Tea Pot Creamer Sugar Salt Pepper

By Fitz and Floyd

Located in Kennesaw, GA

Such a cute set! This is an unused hand painted owl form tea set by Fitz and Floyd. The pieces were crafted in Japan in 1978. I believe it is unused as it still has several stickers ...

Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Victorian Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic

Astronomici Teapot

Astronomici Teapot

By Fornasetti

Located in Milan, IT

Refined zodiac motifs cover this elegant hand-decorated porcelain teapot with gold accents, turning an everyday object into a true collector's item. Any minor discrepancies between s...

Category

2010s Italian Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Berlin KPM Porcelain Five-Piece Cobalt-Blue and Parcel-Gilt Coffee Set
Berlin KPM Porcelain Five-Piece Cobalt-Blue and Parcel-Gilt Coffee Set

Berlin KPM Porcelain Five-Piece Cobalt-Blue and Parcel-Gilt Coffee Set

By Kerafina Royal Porzellan KPM

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A very fine 19th century Berlin KPM Porcelain Royal five-piece cobalt-blue and 24-carat gold parcel-gilt coffee set. The finely painted and decorated two-serving suite comprising of ...

Category

Late 19th Century German Empire Revival Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Amélie Tableware and Serveware, Cappuccino Coffee Mug, Handmade in Italy 2021
Amélie Tableware and Serveware, Cappuccino Coffee Mug, Handmade in Italy 2021

Amélie Tableware and Serveware, Cappuccino Coffee Mug, Handmade in Italy 2021

By Mosche Bianche

Located in San Miniato PI, IT

This wonderful collection encourages to participate in the process of combining small pleasures into a significant whole by regarding details as both minute and essential. Our artist...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic

Christofle (Cardeilhac) - 10pc. Antique French 950 Sterling Silver Tea Set
Christofle (Cardeilhac) - 10pc. Antique French 950 Sterling Silver Tea Set

Christofle (Cardeilhac) - 10pc. Antique French 950 Sterling Silver Tea Set

By Christofle Cardeilhac 1

Located in Wilmington, DE

Direct from Paris: A magnificent 10pc. sterling silver tea / coffee set by France’s premier silversmith Amelie Cardeilhac (Christofle) in the rare renaissance pattern "Silversmiths t...

Category

Early 20th Century Renaissance Tea Sets

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Gustav Hellstrøm enamel and gilt silver teaspoons, Norway, ca 1890
Gustav Hellstrøm enamel and gilt silver teaspoons, Norway, ca 1890

Gustav Hellstrøm enamel and gilt silver teaspoons, Norway, ca 1890

Located in Delft, NL

Gustav Hellstrøm enamel and gilt silver teaspoons, Norway, ca 1890 Beautiful set of teaspoons, silver purity of 925/000 gilded with enamel. The spoon handle is black enameled with g...

Category

19th Century Norwegian Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Gold Plate, Silver, Enamel

Silver and enamels cloisonné tea strainer, Moscow, Russia 1896.
Silver and enamels cloisonné tea strainer, Moscow, Russia 1896.

Silver and enamels cloisonné tea strainer, Moscow, Russia 1896.

Located in Milan, IT

Tea strainer with handle, in 84 Zolotnik silver, gilded and decorated with blue and white cloisonné enamels. Moscow, Russia, 1896.

Category

Late 19th Century Russian Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Early 19th Century Staffordshire Pealware Tea Set with Strawberry & Vine Pattern
Early 19th Century Staffordshire Pealware Tea Set with Strawberry & Vine Pattern

Early 19th Century Staffordshire Pealware Tea Set with Strawberry & Vine Pattern

By Staffordshire

Located in Middleburg, VA

19th century Staffordshire Pealware tea set with strawberry pattern with vines and green leaves. England, 1830 circa Measurements: Teapot - 7.5" H, 11" W Sugar bowl - 6" H, 8" W ...

Category

Early 19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Pearlware

Rare Coco De Mer Tea Caddy
Rare Coco De Mer Tea Caddy

Rare Coco De Mer Tea Caddy

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Rare coco de mer tea caddy crafted with the unusual double lobe nut found on the Seychelles Islands and it is said to have mystical properties. Featuring h...

Category

20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tea Sets

Materials

Coconut

Antique Tiffany Clover Sterling Silver 4-Piece Coffee & Tea Set
Antique Tiffany Clover Sterling Silver 4-Piece Coffee & Tea Set

Antique Tiffany Clover Sterling Silver 4-Piece Coffee & Tea Set

Located in New York, NY

Clover sterling silver coffee and tea set. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, early 20th century. This set comprises four pieces: Coffeepot, teapot, creamer, and sugar. Coffeepot and...

Category

Early 1900s American Victorian Antique Tea Sets

Materials

Sterling Silver

80s Post Modern Memphis Design Handmade Marilee Hall Abstract Art Teapot Signed
80s Post Modern Memphis Design Handmade Marilee Hall Abstract Art Teapot Signed

80s Post Modern Memphis Design Handmade Marilee Hall Abstract Art Teapot Signed

Located in St.Petersburg, FL

Spectacular, Post Modern, Memphis Design, One of a Kind, Handmade, tossed pottery and painted yellow tea pot, with a crackle finish, I adorned with both incised and applied colorful...

Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Metal

Taxco Parrot Creamer Sugar Spoon Set Mexican Silversmithing 1960s
Taxco Parrot Creamer Sugar Spoon Set Mexican Silversmithing 1960s

Taxco Parrot Creamer Sugar Spoon Set Mexican Silversmithing 1960s

By Los Castillo

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Striking mid-century creamer, covered sugar bowl, and matching spoon set, designed and manufactured in Taxco, Mexico during the 1960s, representing the expressive artistry of Mexican...

Category

1960s Mexican Modern Vintage Tea Sets

Materials

Stone, Silver Plate, Brass

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.