The 5 Most Sought After Sterling Silver Tea Sets

• Posted on 12th March 2016
• in Antique Silver, antique silver buyers, Antique Silver Tea Set, antique sterling silver
• by Alan

Sterling silver tea sets have become synonymous with great occasions and tasty drinks. Sterling silver tea sets are a valuable addition to any home and they are best for serving fantastic drinks, like delicious hot tea, on special occasions. Sterling silver tea sets vary in size and shape, and they come in a lot of different patterns depending on the manufacturer. Because of this, sterling silver tea set prices and value can vary greatly. This depends on a lot of things. From the quality of the set, to how old it is, to what manufacturer developed the pattern.

If you are in the market for a tea set, or if you have one that you would like to sell, check out some of the five most sought after sterling tea sets.

1. Gorham Chantilly Grand Sterling Tea Set

In 1895, famous Gorham designer, William C. Codman, designed the Gorham Chantilly Grand sterling silver tea set. William C. Codman was a designer at Gorham for 23 years and he patented 54 other flatware patterns, beyond the designs he did for the Chantilly Grand sterling silver tea set.

While there were many patterns, all with varying degrees of popularity, none of those patterns were as enduring and desired as Chantilly. To this day, the Gorham Chantilly has become one of Gorham’s most famed flatware patterns and matching flatware has been made in both sterling and silver plate. The pattern was created in a Louis XV style. For three years after Gorham’s Chantilly was created, it was selected nationally as ”the runaway favorite design.”

2. Steiff Sterling Silver Tea Set – Rose Pattern

The Stieff Company was very well known for the quality and value of its silver products along with the beautiful hand chasing & Repoussé work. The most famous pattern that was developed by Steiff was the Maryland Rose, developed and introduced in 1892. The Maryland Rose pattern later became known as Stieff Rose. The Steiff Rose sterling silver tea set typically has four, beautiful and ornate pieces. Because of the ornate designs and intricate patterns, the Steiff sterling silver tea sets are very desireable and sought after, one of the most famous in the antique tea set world.

3. Plymouth Sterling Silver Tea Set by Gorham

Gorham Manufacturing Company is one of America’s largest manufacturers of sterling silver items and sculptures. Through the years, they have developed many patterns and sets that have become highly desired throughout the world. The Plymouth Sterling Silver Tea Set is one of the many patterns by Gorham that has reached that extremely desired level. The complete sterling silver tea set typically has a coffee pot, teapot, cream jug, covered sugar bowl, and waste bowl. The pattern was developed in 1911 and consists of a clean, simple and elegant design. When trying to purchase a Plymouth sterling silver tea set, the quality and value is always more when there is clearly no damage or tarnish to the tea set.

4. Georgian Rose Sterling Silver Tea Set by Reed & Barton

The Georgian Rose Sterling Silver Tea Set by Reed & Barton is a mid-20th century sterling silver coffee and tea service set. The pattern was released in 1962 after Reed & Barton developed the set to accompany the Savannah flatware pattern. Both of the patterns consisted of polished surfaces that are accented with flowers and scrolls, and both patterns were designed to celebrate traditional Georgian elegance. The five-piece collection includes a sterling silver coffee pot, a teapot, a creamer dispenser, a covered sugar dish and a oval silver serving tray.

For more than 150 years, the Reed & Barton produced sterling silver of exceptional quality. Reed & Barton operated between 1824 and 2015 as a prominent American silversmith manufacturer based in the city of Taunton, Massachusetts. While operating, they produced goods such as sterling silver and silverplate flatware.

5. Tiffany Repousse Tea Set – Ivy Pattern

The Tiffany Repousse Tea Set in the ivy pattern is a rare pre-Civil War five piece silver set that was developed by Tiffany & Co. The pattern consists of richly detailed repousse of winding ivy leaves and additional decorative accents. The background of the design is fully textured with minute detail. Additionally, all of the handles and spouts display a woody motif that is accompanied by oak leaves and acorns.

Each piece in the ivy pattern repousse tea set has an engraved crest that consists of a shield that is surmounted by a boar’s head, along with a sword that is entwined by two serpents along with a banner that reads “Est Nec Astu.” The set typically includes a large coffee pot, a medium tea pot, lidded creamer, lidded sugar and a waste bowl. Pre-Civil War era silver is rarely seen on the market, and it is especially rare coming from an important maker such as Tiffany & Co.

If you have any of the sets listed above, it is important to note that the full sets will fetch more money than an incomplete set and that extra pieces are a plus. Furthermore, the condition of your sets is key in getting the best price. Monograms tend to devalue a set. With those notes in mind, as a leading Sarasota antique buyer, we are happy to take a look at any antiques that you may have for appraisal and value. Our expert team is well-versed in many different antiques from all over the world. We buy antiques of all variety and we have the most successful record of buying antiques in cities like Tampa, Englewood and Palmetto . If you want to know the value of your antiques, bring them in for appraisal and we can tell you all about the sets that you have.