Kirk 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.

The value of a sterling silver tea set is based on age, maker, and the pieces included. A set can start at $1,000, but the value can be a wide range. If it is sterling, it should have a hallmark of .925. This indicates that the piece is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper alloy. The more pieces in the set, the more it is likely to be worth in some cases. Find a collection of antique and vintage sterling silver tea sets on 1stDibs today.

To know how much your tea set is worth, you can consult a certified appraiser or other knowledgeable expert or research it on your own. If you opt for the latter option, start by using trusted online resources to determine who the set's maker is. Typically, you can use markings that commonly appear on the bottoms of teapots, saucers, teacups and other pieces. Once you know the maker, you can examine sales and auction records to see how much sets similar to yours have fetched in the past. Characteristics to consider when investigating comparable sets include the type and number of pieces yours includes, as well as the materials, pattern, age and condition. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of tea sets.

Silver is a chemically non-reactive metal, so as long as the tea set is clean and has been properly cared for, it is safe to use. However, silver is an excellent conductor of heat, so be careful not to burn your lips or tongue whilst drinking tea. Shop a collection of authentic silver tea sets from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

Silver tea sets can range in value depending on a variety of factors. A silver-plated tea set is not usually very high value, though certain pieces and who the maker is plays a large role. A sterling silver set can be worth at least $1000.

A basic sterling silver tea set costs around $1,000. However, the older the set is, the more expensive it will be. Some antique silver tea sets are worth up to $400,000.