Tea Sets
152
1
to
16
107
40
153
153
153
222
163
146
143
101
83
65
52
37
29
24
24
24
13
6
4
4
3
54
83
15
1
5
7
1
1
1
2
76
75
62
59
42
139
130
116
3
2
7
6
6
4
3
Tea Sets For Sale
Style: Georgian
Style: Regency
Derby Porcelain Tea Bowl, Artichoke Pattern in Turquoise, Georgian ca 1785
By Derby
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful tea bowl and saucer made by Derby in about 1785. The set has the distinctive "artichoke" moulding and a bright turquoise ground with the white artichoke surface ...
Category
1780s English George III Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Sterling Silver Teapot
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive 19th Century antique George IV English sterling silver teapot; an addition to our silver teaware collection
This ex...
Category
1820s British George IV Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Scottish Sterling Silver Teapot
By William Davie
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George II Scottish sterling silver teapot; an addition to our Georgian silver teaware collection
This exceptional antique Georgian sterling silver teapot has an globular bullet-shaped onto a cast circular spreading foot.
The surface of this silver teapot is embellished with flat engraved foliate and floral decoration to the upper portion.
The body of the teapot incorporates the engraved crest of on a mount, a centaur with a bow and arrow, all above the motto 'Ut Quocunque Paratus' - As prepared for whatever may happen*.
This antique 18th century silver teapot...
Category
18th Century Scottish Georgian Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Teacup Trio Barr Flight & Barr Maroon and Gilt Neoclassical ca 1812
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful true trio made by Barr, Flight & Barr, consisting of a teacup, a coffee can and a saucer. The set has a deep maroon ground and a very gracious gilt neoclassical b...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Antique George III (1819) Sterling Silver Three Piece Tea Service
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Georgian English sterling silver three piece tea service/set made by Joseph Angell I; an addition to our silver teaware collections.
This...
Category
1810s British Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
New Hall Hybrid Hard Paste Porcelain Tea Service, Palm Tree patt. 484, ca 1810
By New Hall
Located in London, GB
This is a spectacular 17-piece tea service serving four, made by New Hall around the year 1810. The service consists of a teapot with cover on a stand, a sucrier with cover, a milk j...
Category
1810s English Georgian Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Spode Porcelain Tea Service, Imari Tobacco Leaf Pattern 967, Georgian ca 1810
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a stunning tea service made by Spode in about 1810, consisting of a large teapot with cover, a milk jug, a sucrier with cover, a slop bowl, a saucer dish and 4 teacups with s...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
New Hall Hybrid Hard Paste Teacup, Palm Tree patt. 484, Georgian ca 1810
By New Hall
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful teacup and saucer made by New Hall around the year 1810. The set is decorated in the very desired but rare palm tree pattern with the number 484.
We also have a ...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Spode Porcelain Teacup, Imari Tobacco Leaf Pattern 967, Regency ca 1810
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful teacup and saucer made by Spode in about 1810. The set is decorated with the famous Imari Tobacco Leaf pattern 967, which was first introduced by Spode in 1806.
...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Flight & Barr Porcelain Teacup Trio, Brown and Gilt Pattern, Georgian, 1792-1804
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful "true trio" consisting of a teacup, a coffee cup and a saucer, made by Flight & Barr between 1792 and 1804. The items are decorated with a sohpisticated abstract-looking pattern of brown and gilt daisies playfully trailing between brown half circles set in a gilt band.
In the late 18th and early 19th century cups and saucers...
Category
1790s English George III Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Spode Porcelain Teacup Trio, Lavender Blue with Flower Sprays, Regency ca 1815
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful "true trio" consisting of a teacup, a coffee cup and a saucer, made by Spode in about 1815. It is decorated with pattern 2234 with a striking lavender or periwinkle blue border and finely painted flower sprays.
In the late 18th and early 19th Century a "true trio" is how cups and saucers were sold; as you would never drink tea and coffee at the same time, why invest in an extra saucer?
Josiah Spode was the great pioneer among the Georgian potters in England. Around the year 1800 he perfected the bone china recipe that has been used by everyone ever since, and he was also the leading potter behind the technique of transferware, making it possible for English potters to replace the import of Chinese china that had come to an end around that time, with their own. This was fundamental to a thriving industry that would last for about 150 years and provide half the world with their tableware.
This set is made in the famous "London" shape, which was brought out by Spode in 1812 and was quickly copied by all other makers. It then remained the most popular shape for about 10 years. The set is potted in fine white porcelain - by the year 1810 Spode had perfected his recipe for bone china and it became beautifully smooth, white, thin and translucent.
All three items are marked with the red hand painted SPODE mark and the pattern number 2234.
CONDITION REPORT The set is in excellent antique condition without any damage, repairs or crazing. There is some minimal wear as visible in the pictures...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Flight Worcester Teapot Set, Monochrome Print "Ruins" Pattern, Georgian ca 1790
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful set of a teapot, a sucrier with cover, and a plate made by Worcester in its Flight period, around 1790. You can tell from the generous size of the teapot that it ...
Category
1790s English George III Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Worcester Coffee Cup, Monochrome Black Print "Tea Party no.3", Georgian ca 1760
Located in London, GB
This is a very charming coffee cup and saucer made by Worcester in their First Period (sometimes called the Dr Wall Period) in about 1760. The items are decorated in a black overglaz...
Category
1760s English George III Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
New Hall Hybrid Hard Paste Teacup Trio, Elephant Pattern, Regency ca 1810
By New Hall
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful true trio made by New Hall around the year 1810. The set is decorated in the very desired but rare Elephant pattern.
A true trio is how cups and saucers were sol...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Spode Teacup and Saucer, Red, Gilt with White Chrysanthemum, Regency ca 1810
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful teacup and saucer made by Spode around 1810. The set is shaped in the "bute" shape and decorated with a bright Neoclassical pattern of a warm red ground with gilt...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Teacup Flight Barr & Barr, Regency Imari Pattern, ca 1815 (2)
Located in London, GB
This is a colourful teacup and saucer made by Flight Barr & Barr around the year 1815. The set is decorated with a bright Imari design in the Regency taste.
This teacup would have f...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Flight Barr & Barr Teacup, Regency Imari Pattern, ca 1815
Located in London, GB
This is a colourful teacup and saucer made by Flight Barr & Barr around the year 1815. The set is decorated with a bright Imari design in the Regency taste.
This teacup would have f...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Teacup Trio Coalport John Rose, Flowers in Gilt Squares and Stars, ca 1800
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful true trio made by John Rose at Coalport around the year 1800. It consists of a teacup and a coffee can sharing one saucer. In the 18th and early 19th Century, th...
Category
Early 1800s English George III Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Samuel Alcock Teacup and Milk Jug, Pale Yellow, Gilt and Flowers, ca 1824
Located in London, GB
A teacup and saucer with milk jug in the “melted snow” shape with double drop handles, pale yellow ground with rich gilt and cobalt blue acanthus pattern and finely painted flower re...
Category
1820s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Antique English George III Copper Gooseneck Bird Spout Coffee Tea Kettle 12"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 18th century George III copper tea / water / coffee kettle with right angle gooseneck / bird spout, fixed brass handle with turned ceramic / porcelain grip and mushroom shaped porcelain finial...
Category
Late 18th Century George III Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Copper
Samuel Alcock Solitaire Tea Set, Cobalt Blue, Gilt Vines and Flowers, ca 1825
Located in London, GB
A solitaire tea set consisting of a teapot with cover, a milk jug and a small cup and saucer, in “melted snow” shape, the cup with double drop handle, with deep cobalt blue ground, r...
Category
1820s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Antique George III Sterling Silver Tea Urn London 1813 Paul Storr
By Paul Storr
Located in London, GB
A truly stunning silver hemispherical tea urn decorated with gadroon borders for highlights. The body has a stylish upper girdled wire and a ‘serpent’ themed tap. The lion mane ha...
Category
1810s British Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Antique George III Sterling Silver Tea-Coffeeset ivory Handles & Tray 1798-1800
Located in VALENZA, IT
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
Derby Porcelain Coffee Cup, Artichoke Pattern in Turquoise, Georgian ca 1785
By Derby
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful coffee cup and saucer made by Derby in about 1785. The set has the distinctive "artichoke" moulding and a bright turquoise ground with the white artichoke surface...
Category
1780s English George III Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Samuel Alcock Porcelain Solitaire Tea Set, Cobalt Blue, Gilt, Landscapes, ca1825
Located in London, GB
A solitaire tea set consisting of a teapot with cover on a stand and a trio consisting of a teacup, a coffee cup and a saucer, in “half orange” shape with deep cobalt blue and yellow...
Category
1820s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Derby Porcelain Tea Service, Artichoke Pattern in Turquoise, ca 1785
By Derby
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful and extremely rare tea service made by Derby in about 1785. The set has the distinctive "artichoke" moulding and a bright turquoise ground with the white artichok...
Category
1780s English George III Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Samuel Alcock Porcelain Teacup, White with Flower Sprays, ca 1823
Located in London, GB
A teacup and saucer in the “half orange” shape, white with simple gilt rim and beautiful hand painted flower sprays
Pattern unknown but similar to 1082
Year: ca 1823
Size: cup diameter 10cm (4”), saucer diameter 14.2cm (5.5”)
Condition: excellent, some rubbing to gilt
There are several items available in this design, please see group image and ask for more info if interested.
The Samuel Alcock factory was operative in Staffordshire between 1822 and 1856, after which it was bought by Sir James Duke and Nephews. The factory started as a partnership between the young Samuel Alcock and the older Ralph Stevenson, who provided the factory and capital. Alcock quickly took the factory to great heights, building one of the biggest factories of its time. Alcock jumped on the new Rococo Revival fashion and served a huge new middle class market. The reason we now don't hear much about Samuel Alcock porcelain...
Category
1820s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
George II Bullet Teapot Made in London by John Swift in 1734
By John Swift
Located in London, GB
A Very Fine George II Bullet Teapot Made in London in 1734 by John Swift
The "Bullet" shaped Teapot is one of the best known shapes of the George II period and this represents an ea...
Category
18th Century English George II Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
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
Early 19th Century Regency Period Flame Mahogany Tea Caddy Box
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Regency period early 19th century flame mahogany tea caddy box with swing handle complete with an original hallmarked sterling silver George III tea caddy spoon
Comes with working key, item opens to reveal a fitted interior with twin caddies & central crystal mixing bowl which is a later addition.
A tea caddy is a box, jar, canister, or other receptacle used to store tea. When first introduced to Europe from Asia, tea was extremely expensive, and kept under lock and key. The containers used were often expensive and decorative, to fit in with the rest of a drawing-room or other reception room. Hot water was carried up from the kitchen, and the tea made by the mistress of the house, or under her supervision.
As the use of the jar waned and the box became more popular, the provision of different receptacles for green and black tea...
Category
19th Century British Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver, Brass
Antique Regency Quality Rosewood Tea Caddy
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Regency quality rosewood tea caddy having a quality carved rosewood lift up top opening to reveal two lidded tea compartments, original escutcheon
A quaint piece displaying...
Category
19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Other
Bloor Derby Porcelain Breakfast Cup with Plate, Gilt with Purple Flowers, Ca1825
By Derby, Bloor Derby
Located in London, GB
This is a very charming "breakfast" teacup and saucer with a plate, made by Derby / Bloor Derby between 1806 and 1825. It is likely that the set was potted between 1806 and 1825, then decorated and brought to the market around 1825.
A breakfast cup is a large teacup...
Category
1820s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Coalport hand painted creamer
Located in East Geelong, VIC
This very attractive hand painted porcelain creamer is by John Rose Coalport and is decorated with cartouches of colourful floral sprays, outlined in gildin...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
First period Worcester hand painted blue and white bowl Mansfield pattern.
Located in East Geelong, VIC
This first period Worcester bowl is decorated with the hand painted blue and white "Mansfield" pattern with a hand painted border (refer border pattern No 29, page 409 "Worcester Blu...
Category
1760s English Georgian Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Large Antique George III Quality Oval Shaped Copper Kettle
Located in Suffolk, GB
Large antique George III quality oval shaped copper kettle with a shaped handle, spout and lift off lid
We stock a large selection of copper kettles of all sizes, please ask for fu...
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Copper
19th Century Austrian Silver Coffee Pot with Spirit Burner
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Austrian silver coffee pot with spirit burner; an addition to our Georgian silver teaware collection
This exceptional antique Austrian silver coffee pot has a plain cylindrical form.
The coffee pot body is plain and encompassed with an applied moulded girdle to the upper portion.
This exceptional coffee pot is fitted with the original push fit cover, encompassed with a palmette leaf style border to the rim.
The cover is surmounted with an impressive cast silver foliated finial.
This coffee pot is fitted with an elongated handle overlaid with the original interwoven wicker, strategically interlaced to produce a segmented braided design; this finely detailed feature indicates the high quality of the piece.
The pot detaches from the original hallmarked silver stand, supported by four impressive scrolling legs.
The circular frame and base of the stand are encompassed with further palmette decorated borders.
The stand bears a circular receiver to the centre, accommodating the original detachable rounded spirit burner.
This hallmarks to this 19th century coffee pot...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Georgian Style Sterling Silver Tea Articles, 4
Located in New York, NY
Group of four (4) Georgian style sterling silver tea articles, all marked "sterling" and comprising two sets of cream and sugar vessels, one set with shell-headed pad feet, the other...
Category
19th Century Georgian Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Five-Piece Sterling Silver Coffee & Tea Service by Whiting
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GEORGE III STYLE FIVE-PIECE STERLING SILVER COFFEE AND TEA SERVICE SET
By Whiting Manufacturing Co., New York; each with Whiting hallmark (two-headed chimera w/ encircled W), "3358 / 3 GILLS / PAT. 1892 / 925/1000 FINE"
Item # 104VAD21S
An exquisite five-piece tea and coffee service executed entirely in .925 sterling silver by Whiting...
Category
20th Century American George III Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Ridgway hand painted and gilded slop bowl
Located in East Geelong, VIC
This John and William Ridgway hand painted and gilded slop bowl is decorated with their pattern 2/1041 where each of the almost paisley shaped gilt edged cartouches contain sprays of...
Category
1820s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Ridgway hand painted and gilded sucrier on stand
Located in East Geelong, VIC
This hand painted and gilded porcelain sucrier on stand is by John and William Ridgway. Each of the almost Paisley shaped gilt edged cartouches on the lid, the side and the stand con...
Category
1820s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Antique George III Quality Copper Kettle
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III quality copper kettle having a shaped handle, spout and lift off lid.
In lovely original condition.
Dimensions:
Height 29 cm
Width 28.5 cm
Depth 20 cm
Dat...
Category
19th Century English George III Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Copper
Unusual Small Antique George III Quality Oval Shaped Copper Kettle
Located in Suffolk, GB
Unusual small Antique George III quality oval shaped copper kettle having an unusual small Antique George III oval shaped copper kettle with a shaped handle and spout with lift off l...
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Copper
Vintage Regency 19th Century Gien French Faience Earthenware Chocolate Set
Located in west palm beach, FL
A stunning vintage Regency Chocolate set. Made by the coveted Gien group and marked on the bottom. A charming hand painted set open deep rich colors. Acquired from a Palm Beach estat...
Category
Late 19th Century French Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Earthenware
Large Antique George III Quality Copper Kettle
Located in Suffolk, GB
Large antique George III quality copper kettle with a shaped handle, spout and lift off lid.
In lovely original condition.
Dimensions:
Height 38.5 cm (15.15 in)
Width 41 cm (16.14...
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Copper
A Hand Painted Apple Shaped Tea Caddy
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A 20th Century Hand Painted Hinged Lidded Tea Caddy In The Shape Of An Apple With A Metal Patinated Stalk
Category
19th Century British Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Wood
Chamberlain's Worcester Fancy Birds Trio painted by George Davis, 1800-05
By George Davis
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Chamberlain's Worcester Fancy Birds Trio painted by George Davis, 1800-05
Additional information:
Date : 1800-05
Period : George III
Marks : None
Origin : Worcester, England
Colour ...
Category
19th Century English George III Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
18th Century Whieldon-type Large Tortoise-shell Teapot and Cover
Located in Downingtown, PA
18th Century Whieldon-type Tortoise-shell Teapot and Cover,
Circa 1765
The tortoise-shell molded teapot and cover is decorated with a molded design of gr...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Creamware, Pottery
Antique George II Georgian Silver Kettle on Stand London 1745 Teapot
By William Grundy
Located in London, GB
An excellent George II Georgian Solid Silver Kettle on Stand. The Tea Pot has an ornate chased design including floral, foliate and scroll patterning, and each side has a shaped cartouche with an engraved crest in it. The Teapot has a hinged domed lid with an impressive finial, and a substantial scroll shaped swing handle with a shaped wooden section. The Tea Kettle stands...
Category
18th Century English George II Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
George III antique silver teapot by Hester Bateman
Located in London, GB
Classic late George III period antique silver teapot made by acclaimed female silversmith, Hester Bateman. The teapot features her signature bead...
Category
18th Century British George III Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
English Georgian Sterling Silver Coffee Pot from Late 18th/ Early 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
English, sterling silver coffee pot from the Georgian era (late 18th/early 19th century) with a wood handle. It measures 8 1/8'' in height by 6 3/4'' from handle to spout, weighs 14....
Category
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Joseph Stubbs Pearlware Tea bowl, Blue and White with Swans, Regency, circa 1825
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful and very rare tea bowl and saucer made by Joseph Stubbs in about 1825. The bowl is quite large and made of pearlware, and has a beautiful transfer printed blue an...
Category
1820s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Pearlware
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
Vauxhall Porcelain Tea Bowl and Saucer, c1755-60
By Vauxhall Porcelain Factory 1
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Vauxhall Porcelain Tea Bowl and Saucer, c1755-60
Eric Knowles Comments : It is to be imagined that these pieces date from the earlier period of Crisp and Sanders' partnership when t...
Category
18th Century English George II Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
A Sarcophagus Shaped Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy With Separate Tea Compartments
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A Sarcophagus Shaped Regency Rosewood, Brass Tea Caddy With Two Separate Tea Compartments and Individual Handled Lids, Centred on Four Bun Feet Circa 1700's
Great patina embellishi...
Category
18th Century British Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Brass
New Hall Tea Service for Six, Elephant Pattern 876, Regency ca 1810
By New Hall
Located in London, GB
This is spectacular full tea service for six made by New Hall around the year 1810. The service consists of a teapot with cover, a sucrier with cover, a milk jug, six trios each consisting of a teacup, a coffee can and a saucer, a cake plate (saucer dish) and a slop bowl. The set is decorated in the super-charming and popular but very rare Elephant pattern...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
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
Worcester Porcelain Milkmaids Pattern Coffee Cup and Saucer, circa 1770
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Worcester Porcelain Milkmaids Pattern Coffee Cup and Saucer, circa 1770
Additional Information:
Date: c.1765-75
Period: George III
Marks: None
Origin: Worcester, England
Colo...
Category
18th Century English George III Antique Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
18th Century Meissen Miniature Turquoise-Ground Botanical Teapot and Cover
Located in Downingtown, PA
Meissen miniature Turquoise-ground teapot and cover,
1735-40
The Meissen porcelain miniature teapot has a turquoise ground with a shaped cartouche ...
Category
1730s German Georgian 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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Tea Cups And Saucers Gilt
Teapot And Tea Cups
Gold Tea Saucer
Silver Plate Tea And Coffee Pots
Tea Cup Saucer And Plate Set
English Silver 19th Century Tea Set
Sterling Silver English Tea Set
Tea Set Blue White
Blue Pattern Tea Set
Tea Set Blue And White
Antique Silver Tray Set
Vintage Spout
Antique Milk Jug
Tea Tree
White Tea Pot
Vintage Coffee Cup
Green Tea Cup
Tea Service Set Tray