How do I identify an antique tea set?

To identify an antique tea set , look closely to determine who the manufacturer is. Locate the hallmark on the bottom of a saucer, teapot or cup. A maker’s mark on one of these items is the best indicator of the set’s origin. If you snap a photo with your smartphone or tablet, you can conduct a reverse image search to jump-start your research. Professionals recommend consulting auction catalogs, books and trusted online resources such as museum exhibition materials. With some research, you may be able to match the marking to the manufacturer's name and, from there, identify the pattern and age. In 17th-century England, Chinese tea began to arrive at ports in London. Mass production of porcelain tea sets took place in the 18th century, and during the early 1800s, tea became widely affordable, and the concept of teatime took shape all over England . Reputable soft-paste porcelain makers include Sèvres , Capodimonte and Chelsea , while Meissen was the first European maker of hard-paste porcelain. Bone china manufactories of note include Spode , Minton and Derby , which was later called the Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company .Generally, a tea set is considered vintage if it’s at least 20 years old, while antiques are at least 100 years old. Although a maker’s mark is generally a helpful indicator of a given manufacturer, forgeries have occurred over the years. Look for other signifiers of a material, time period or style if you are uncertain of your piece’s origin. For help with identification, seek out a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer.Find antique tea sets on 1stDibs.

Antique Cup Set

Blue And Gold Tea Set

Chinese Saucer

19th Century Cup And Saucer

Imari Tea Cups And Saucers

Japanese Imari Porcelain 18th Century

Saucers Japan

Silver On Porcelain Tea Sets

18th Century Chinese Tea Cup

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Cup Set

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Silver

Antique Chinese Impressive Gem Set and Silver Gilt Emperors Cup, circa 1880

$11,806

Antique Japanese Meiji Period Set Of Cup or Tea Bowl Porcelain Eggshell

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

A very nice set. Very nicely decorated. They are marked on the base. Scene is the Ode to the Red

Category

18th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cup Set

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Japanese Meiji Period Set Of Cup or Tea Bowl Porcelain Eggshell

$1,719

Odiot Faberge - 9pc. French 950 Sterling Silver Tea Set + 6 Faberge Cups

By Odiot

Located in Wilmington, DE

. Accompanying the set are 6 Faberge Imperial Egg espresso cups and matching saucers in delicate Limoges

Category

1890s French Napoleon III Antique Cup Set

Materials

Sterling Silver

Odiot Faberge - 9pc. French 950 Sterling Silver Tea Set + 6 Faberge Cups

$23,333 / set

Fine Quality Set of 6 Antique Edwardian Solid Silver and Glass Coffee Cups

Located in Suffolk, GB

Fine quality set of 6 antique Edwardian solid silver and glass coffee cups having pretty ornate

Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver

Fine Quality Set of 6 Antique Edwardian Solid Silver and Glass Coffee Cups

$1,126 / set

Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Plain Tea Cup with Saucer # 1/76. 3 Sets

Located in København, Copenhagen

Royal Copenhagen blue fluted plain tea cup with saucer # 1/76. 3 sets in stock. In perfect

Category

Early 20th Century Danish Victorian Antique Cup Set

Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Plain Tea Cup with Saucer # 1/76. 3 Sets

$270 / set

Set of 12 Period Empire Bisque Porcelain and Gilt Swan Cups, Marked Sevres

By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres

Located in Essex, MA

Set of twelve period empire early 19th century bisque and gilt swan cups - Each modeled as a

Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Cup Set

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 12 Period Empire Bisque Porcelain and Gilt Swan Cups, Marked Sevres

$8,900 / set

Early 20th Century Japanese Kutani Egg shell Tea cup and snack plates set

Located in Pomona, CA

Here are 8 pieces Bamboo Designed Tea/Snack Set from Japan. There are 4 saucers/plates and 4 cups

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Cup Set

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th Century Japanese Kutani Egg shell Tea cup and snack plates set

$230

Antique Sterling Silver Set Of Tot Cups - Mini Beer Mug Design - Birmingham 1921

By E.S. Barnsley Co. Ltd.

Located in London, London

Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1921 by E. S. Barnsley & Co., this handsome set of 6 Antique Sterling

Category

1920s English Antique Cup Set

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Sterling Silver Set Of Tot Cups - Mini Beer Mug Design - Birmingham 1921

$2,026

La Maison Desny Art Deco set of 6 silvered metal cocktail cups 1928

By La Maison Desny

Located in Paris, IDF

This beautiful set of 6 cocktail cups was made by La Maison Desny (1927-1933) in France in 1928

Category

1920s French Art Deco Antique Cup Set

Materials

Metal, Silver

La Maison Desny Art Deco set of 6 silvered metal cocktail cups 1928

$9,329 / set

Antique Chinese Solid Silver Set of Four Tea Cups and Saucers, circa 1880

By Da Xing

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Antique 19th century Chinese solid silver set of four tea cups and saucers, handcrafted and

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver

Antique Chinese Solid Silver Set of Four Tea Cups and Saucers, circa 1880

$2,740

Majolica Dish France Sugar Pot, Dish and Cup circa 1880 Set of 3

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

And a cup Diameter 14cm High 4cm it is in majolica made in France end of 19th Century and 20th Century

Category

19th Century French French Provincial Antique Cup Set

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Majolica Dish France Sugar Pot, Dish and Cup circa 1880 Set of 3

$538 / set

Vtg Towle Silver Plated Victorian Punch Bowl Set, 20 Cups Tray and Punch Bowl

By Towle Silversmiths

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage towle silver plated victorian style punch bowl set - 20 cups tray and punch bowl. Item

Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Vtg Towle Silver Plated Victorian Punch Bowl Set, 20 Cups Tray and Punch Bowl

$450 / set

John Rose Coalport Porcelain Teacup, Red Japan Imari with Birds, Regency, 1815

By Coalport Porcelain, John Rose

Located in London, GB

century, but the shape of these cups suggest this set is from circa 1815, so it is a re-use of an older

Category

1810s English Regency Antique Cup Set

Materials

Porcelain

John Rose Coalport Porcelain Teacup, Red Japan Imari with Birds, Regency, 1815

$450 / set

Set of 10 Antique American Sterling Silver Mint Julep Cups, Circa 1930 s-1940 s.

Located in New Orleans, LA

Set of 10 Antique American sterling silver hallmarked mint Julep Cups, Circa 1930's-1940's. Per the

Category

Early 20th Century American Antique Cup Set

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of 10 Antique American Sterling Silver Mint Julep Cups, Circa 1930 s-1940 s.

$5,500 / set

1924 René Lalique, Set of Pissenlit 10 Bowls Cups 10 Plates Glass 20 Pieces

By René Lalique

Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR

Set of 10 bowls and 10 plates "PIssenlit" made in clear and frosted glass by René Lalique in 1924

Category

1920s French Art Deco Antique Cup Set

Materials

Blown Glass

1924 René Lalique, Set of Pissenlit 10 Bowls Cups 10 Plates Glass 20 Pieces

$5,681 / set

Set Of 6 Cups Of Limoges Porcelain Tea Or Coffee From Chabrol and Poirier, 1925

Located in Crespières, FR

French Limoges porcelain tea or coffee service by Chabrol et Poirier, 1925 These 6 cups are

Category

1920s French Art Deco Antique Cup Set

Materials

Porcelain

Set Of 6 Cups Of Limoges Porcelain Tea Or Coffee From Chabrol and Poirier, 1925

$478 / set

KPM Berlin Narrative Cup and Saucer

By KPM Porcelain

Located in New Orleans, LA

friendship cups. This remarkable set would certainly have been a specially commissioned, humorous tongue-in

Category

19th Century German Other Antique Cup Set

Materials

Porcelain

KPM Berlin Narrative Cup and Saucer

$22,850

Berlin Porcelain Micromosaic Cup and Saucer

By KPM Porcelain

Located in New Orleans, LA

This exceptional KPM Berlin coffee cup and saucer features some of the most technically demanding

Category

19th Century German Other Antique Cup Set

Materials

Porcelain

Berlin Porcelain Micromosaic Cup and Saucer

$9,850

Blue Opaline Ewer And Cup 19th Century

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Blue opaline ewer and cup, 19th Century Set of a ewer and its cup In milky opaline of sky blue

Category

19th Century European Antique Cup Set

Materials

Opaline Glass

Blue Opaline Ewer And Cup 19th Century

$3,827

Antique Large Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp 19th Century

Located in London, GB

" or bands, like one leafy cup set within another. One of the most beautiful Corinthian capitals is

Category

1870s Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Large Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp 19th Century

$1,064

Rare Pair of George III Irish Loving Cups

Located in London, GB

scroll handles which are decorated with leaf capping. The front of each cup is engraved with a set of

Category

18th Century and Earlier Irish Antique Cup Set

Rare Pair of George III Irish Loving Cups

$7,554

Pair of Antique Irish Solid Silver Cups Dublin, 1775

Located in London, GB

- 10.5cm Approx. Width incl. Handles - 17.6cm Each Cup has a set of Irish Silver Hallmarks. These Cups

Category

18th Century Irish Antique Cup Set

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of Antique Irish Solid Silver Cups Dublin, 1775

$2,403

Antique Edwardian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp, 1920s

Located in London, GB

" or bands, like one leafy cup set within another. One of the most beautiful Corinthian capitals is

Category

1920s English Edwardian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Edwardian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp, 1920s

$618

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp, 19th Century

By Hawksworth, Eyre Co. Ltd.

Located in London, GB

Acanthus mollis. The leaves are generally carved in two "ranks" or bands, like one leafy cup set within

Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp, 19th Century

$927

Pair Antique Edwardian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamps Early 20th C

Located in London, GB

on the Acanthus mollis. The leaves are generally carved in two "ranks" or bands, like one leafy cup

Category

1910s English Edwardian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Pair Antique Edwardian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamps Early 20th C

$1,854 / set

Antique Pair Silver Plated Opaline Glass Corinthian Table Lamps 20th C

Located in London, GB

one leafy cup set within another. One of the most beautiful Corinthian capitals is that from the

Category

1920s Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Pair Silver Plated Opaline Glass Corinthian Table Lamps 20th C

$1,854 / set

Pair Antique Edwardian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamps Early 20th C

Located in London, GB

on the Acanthus mollis. The leaves are generally carved in two "ranks" or bands, like one leafy cup

Category

1910s English Edwardian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Pair Antique Edwardian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamps Early 20th C

$1,854 / set

Antique Pair Silver Plated Candlesticks Corinthian column Late 19th C

Located in London, GB

. The leaves are generally carved in two "ranks" or bands, like one leafy cup set within another. One of

Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Pair Silver Plated Candlesticks Corinthian column Late 19th C

$343 / set

Exceptional Strawberry Dish with its 4 Bohemian Crystal cups

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

"Exceptional Strawberry Dish with its 4 Bohemian Crystal cups" Strawberry set with its sugar bowl

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Cup Set

Materials

Crystal

Exceptional Strawberry Dish with its 4 Bohemian Crystal cups

$10,166 / set

Regency Flight Barr Worcester Porcelain Salmon-colored Covered Chocolate Cups

By Flight Barr Worcester

Located in Downingtown, PA

Flight & Barr Worcester Porcelain Salmon-colored Covered Chocolate Cups & Stands, Set of Nine

Category

Late 18th Century English Regency Antique Cup Set

Materials

Porcelain

Regency Flight Barr Worcester Porcelain Salmon-colored Covered Chocolate Cups

$9,000 / set

Late 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Nautilus Shell Cup

Located in Paris, FR

with a fantastic animal. The cup is set on a black marble base. Very good vintage condition. circa

Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Cup Set

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Late 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Nautilus Shell Cup

$6,458

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp, 19th Century

Located in London, GB

. The leaves are generally carved in two "ranks" or bands, like one leafy cup set within another. One of

Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp, 19th Century

$755

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp 19th C

Located in London, GB

. The leaves are generally carved in two "ranks" or bands, like one leafy cup set within another. One of

Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp 19th C

$789

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Onyx Corinthian Column Table Lamp 19th Century

Located in London, GB

generally carved in two "ranks" or bands, like one leafy cup set within another. One of the most beautiful

Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Onyx, Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Onyx Corinthian Column Table Lamp 19th Century

$755

Antique Pair Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamps, 1910s

Located in London, GB

generally carved in two "ranks" or bands, like one leafy cup set within another. One of the most beautiful

Category

1910s English Edwardian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Pair Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamps, 1910s

$2,129 / set

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp, 19th Century

Located in London, GB

Acanthus mollis. The leaves are generally carved in two "ranks" or bands, like one leafy cup set within

Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp, 19th Century

$1,064

Antique Large Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp 19th Century

Located in London, GB

" or bands, like one leafy cup set within another. One of the most beautiful Corinthian capitals is

Category

1870s English Victorian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver

Antique Large Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp 19th Century

$1,064

Early 20th Century Edwardian Silver Plated Glass Corinthian Table Lamps, Pair

Located in London, GB

Acanthus mollis. The leaves are generally carved in two "ranks" or bands, like one leafy cup set within

Category

1910s English Edwardian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Early 20th Century Edwardian Silver Plated Glass Corinthian Table Lamps, Pair

$1,717 / set

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp, 19th Century

Located in London, GB

Mollis. The leaves are generally carved in two "ranks" or bands, like one leafy cup set within another

Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp, 19th Century

$721

Antique Victorian Brass Corinthian Column Table Lamp, 19th Century

Located in London, GB

cup set within another. One of the most beautiful Corinthian capitals is that from the Tholos of

Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Brass Corinthian Column Table Lamp, 19th Century

$515

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp 19th Century

Located in London, GB

. The leaves are generally carved in two "ranks" or bands, like one leafy cup set within another. One of

Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp 19th Century

$1,064

Antique Pair Edwardian Ormolu Glass Corinthian Table Lamps Early 20th Century

Located in London, GB

on the Acanthus mollis. The leaves are generally carved in two "ranks" or bands, like one leafy cup

Category

1910s English Edwardian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Pair Edwardian Ormolu Glass Corinthian Table Lamps Early 20th Century

$2,266 / set

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp Late 19th C

Located in London, GB

one leafy cup set within another. One of the most beautiful Corinthian capitals is that from the

Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp Late 19th C

$892

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp 19th C

Located in London, GB

one leafy cup set within another. One of the most beautiful Corinthian capitals is that from the

Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp 19th C

$858

Antique Silver Plated Victorian Corinthian Column Table Lamp 19th Century

Located in London, GB

. The leaves are generally carved in two "ranks" or bands, like one leafy cup set within another. One of

Category

19th Century Victorian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Silver Plated Victorian Corinthian Column Table Lamp 19th Century

$995

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp 19th Century

Located in London, GB

cup set within another. One of the most beautiful Corinthian capitals is that from the Tholos of

Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp 19th Century

$858

Large Antique Irish Sterling Silver Mether Mead Cup 1899 Wine Cooler

By James Wakely Frank Clarke Wheeler

Located in London, GB

Handles - 16.6cm This Cup has a full set of Irish Hallmarks. This Mether Cup is in excellent condition

Category

19th Century Irish Antique Cup Set

Materials

Sterling Silver

Large Antique Irish Sterling Silver Mether Mead Cup 1899 Wine Cooler

$4,017

Antique Jeweled Gilt Encrusted Dresden Porcelain Signed Portrait Cup and Saucer

By Rosenthal, Dresden Porcelain

Located in Cincinnati, OH

This late 19th century jeweled gilt encrusted Dresden porcelain chocolate cup and saucer set

Category

Late 19th Century German Late Victorian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Enamel

Antique Jeweled Gilt Encrusted Dresden Porcelain Signed Portrait Cup and Saucer

$1,450

Antique Scottish Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp Late 19th Century

Located in London, GB

carved in two "ranks" or bands, like one leafy cup set within another. One of the most beautiful

Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver

Antique Scottish Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp Late 19th Century

$789

Antique Silver Plated Corinthian Column Telescopic Standard Lamp, 19th Century

Located in London, GB

are generally carved in two "ranks" or bands, like one leafy cup set within another. One of the most

Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Silver Plated Corinthian Column Telescopic Standard Lamp, 19th Century

$1,751

Antique Qianlong Enamel Bronze Rice Wine Cups Bowls Flowers Chinese China, 18thC

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Lovely set of wine cups with serving dish. Floral design on a yellow ground. The base and inside in

Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Cup Set

Materials

Bronze

Antique Qianlong Enamel Bronze Rice Wine Cups Bowls Flowers Chinese China, 18thC

$2,688 / set

19th Century Austrian Solid Silver Enamel Ostrich Cup, Rudolf Linke circa 1890

By Rudolf Linke

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Antique late 19th century Austrian exceptional solid silver, enamel and gem set two-headed cup

Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver, Enamel

19th Century Austrian Solid Silver Enamel Ostrich Cup, Rudolf Linke circa 1890

$11,531

11 Tiffany Antique English Cup and Saucers with Turquoise and Gold by Spode

By Copeland Spode

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This is for a set of 11 cups and 11 saucers, 22 pieces total. These match the dessert/luncheon

Category

1920s English Antique Cup Set

11 Tiffany Antique English Cup and Saucers with Turquoise and Gold by Spode

$2,450 / set

Antique Royal KPM Hand Painted Portrait Tea Cup Saucer with Heavy Gilt Accents

By KPM Porcelain

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This antique porcelain tea cup and saucer set was made in approximately 1815 by the Royal Porcelain

Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Cup Set

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Royal KPM Hand Painted Portrait Tea Cup Saucer with Heavy Gilt Accents

$4,500 / set

1900s Turkish Silver Coffee Service with Tray

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

emanating from the centre of the handpiece. Condition This silver coffee jug and cups set is an

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver

1900s Turkish Silver Coffee Service with Tray

$3,701 / set

Pair of Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamps, 19th Century

By Hawksworth, Eyre Co. Ltd.

Located in London, GB

mollis. The leaves are generally carved in two "ranks" or bands, like one leafy cup set within another

Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Cup Set

Materials

Silver Plate

Pair of Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamps, 19th Century

$1,854 / set

19th Century Moser Punch Bowl Set

By Moser Glassworks

Located in New Orleans, LA

punch bowl, featuring a rare fluted rim, joined by eight matching cups, each set upon gilded feet of

Category

19th Century Antique Cup Set

Materials

Enamel

19th Century Moser Punch Bowl Set

$38,850 / set

Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass Under $1,000

Antique and Vintage Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

19th Century Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Ceramic Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

European Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass on Sale

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Antique Cup Set For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the antique cup set you’re looking for. An antique cup set — often made from ceramic, porcelain and metal — can elevate any home. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect antique cup set — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. An antique cup set, designed in the Regency, Victorian or Georgian style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. A well-made antique cup set has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Chamberlains Worcester, Coalport Porcelain and Wedgwood are consistently popular.

How Much is a Antique Cup Set?

Prices for an antique cup set start at $23 and top out at $188,800 with the average selling for $779.

Questions About Antique Cup Set

How do I identify an antique tea set?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 5, 2024
To identify an antique tea set, look closely to determine who the manufacturer is. Locate the hallmark on the bottom of a saucer, teapot or cup. A maker’s mark on one of these items is the best indicator of the set’s origin. If you snap a photo with your smartphone or tablet, you can conduct a reverse image search to jump-start your research. Professionals recommend consulting auction catalogs, books and trusted online resources such as museum exhibition materials. With some research, you may be able to match the marking to the manufacturer's name and, from there, identify the pattern and age.

In 17th-century England, Chinese tea began to arrive at ports in London. Mass production of porcelain tea sets took place in the 18th century, and during the early 1800s, tea became widely affordable, and the concept of teatime took shape all over England.

Reputable soft-paste porcelain makers include Sèvres, Capodimonte and Chelsea, while Meissen was the first European maker of hard-paste porcelain. Bone china manufactories of note include Spode, Minton and Derby, which was later called the Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company.

Generally, a tea set is considered vintage if it’s at least 20 years old, while antiques are at least 100 years old. Although a maker’s mark is generally a helpful indicator of a given manufacturer, forgeries have occurred over the years. Look for other signifiers of a material, time period or style if you are uncertain of your piece’s origin. For help with identification, seek out a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer.

Find antique tea sets on 1stDibs.

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