Do you have an old vintage silver tea set in your kitchen cabinets? There are high chances you could be hiding a valuable collectible that can earn you up to $20,000 or more! Vintage Sterling silver tea sets have been a collectors’ favorite, with some paying instance prices!
So, let’s discover the most sought-after vintage silver tea sets. In the end, I will also share some expert tips for spotting old tea sets that are actually worth the money!
10 Most Valuable Vintage Silver Tea Sets to Look For!
From Tiffany & Co. to Gorham, Sterling silver tea sets are one of the most desired vintage kitchen items today. In this list, you will find the 10 highly collectible sets and what makes them worth not hundreds, but THOUSANDS!
1. Stieff Rose Pattern Tea Set
Brand: The Stieff Company
Pattern: Rose (1892)
One of the most sought-after Sterling silver patterns, Rose features intricate hand-chased roses (inspired by the wild roses that grew in Maryland), leaves, and stems in high relief against a stippled background. Each piece features fluted borders and carved handles.
The rose silverware remained The Stieff Company’s most popular line until it ceased production in 1999.
Today, complete Stieff Rose tea sets (including teapot, coffee pot, creamer, sugar bowl, and waste bowl) can command $8,000-$15,000 depending on condition and completeness. Individual teapots or small sets alone often sell for $2,500-$5,000.
2. Keller Louis XVI 19th Century Silver Tea Set
Brand: Gustave Keller (Maison Keller)
Pattern Name: Louis XVI
Keller’s iconic Sterling silver tea set in the Louis XVI reflects French neoclassical design with its symmetry, refined proportions, and ornamentation. It features fluted bodies with delicate, precisely engraved garlands, ribbons, and laurel wreaths.
The borders showcase pearl or bead patterns (perlé) with neatly curved feet, handles, and spouts.
Keller was renowned for producing exceptional silver in the Louis XVI revival style during the Belle Époque period. Its silverware is noted for using the higher French silver standard of 950/1000, higher than the standard 925 sterling, making it highly collectible.
Value: One of the most expensive vintage silver tea sets, complete Keller Louis XVI tea sets in 950 silver generally sell for $18,000-$35,000, with exceptional examples or those with royal or notable provenance fetching $50,000 or more at specialized auctions.
3. Gorham Plymouth Silver Tea/Coffee Set
Brand: Gorham Manufacturing Company
Pattern Name: Plymouth (1911)
Introduced in 1911 and desisted in 1991, the Plymouth pattern reflects the American Colonial Revival style from the early 20th century. It shows simple silverware featuring clean, colonial-inspired lines with subtle beading along the borders.
You’ll see elegant, plain spouts and pointy handles, and the finials often depict pineapples. Being a discontinued pattern, Plymouth tea sets have a high value in the antique market.
Value: These tea/coffee services range from $2,000-$6,000, depending on the number of pieces and condition.
4. Gorham Fairfax Sterling Silver Tea & Coffee Set
Brand: Gorham Manufacturing Company
Pattern Name: Fairfax (1910)
Introduced in 1910, Fairfax became one of Gorham’s most popular patterns and remained in production for decades. It features a clean, elegant design with subtle beading around the rims and feet and ribbed walls, reflecting the simplicity of the Edwardian design.
The collectibility of Fairfax tea sets is thanks to their refined aesthetic and versatility of complementing both traditional and modern interiors.
Value: 5-piece Fairfax tea sets typically sell for $2,000-$7,500, based on condition. Bigger sets with additional pieces, such as trays, can reach up to $10,000.
5. Gorham Chantilly Grand Sterling Tea Set
Brand: Gorham Manufacturing Company
Pattern Name: Chantilly/Château de Chantilly (1895)
Chantilly is one of the most valuable Sterling silverware patterns known for its Louis XV rococo-style scrollwork inspired by French 18th-century designs. This tea set displays high-relief scrolls, floral elements, and shell motifs on the surface and ornate handles and finials.
Value: Complete Chantilly tea sets can command $12,000-$20,000. Small 5-piece sets can also fetch up to $5,000, thanks to the intricate detailing and substantial weight.
6. Tiffany & Co. Art Deco Sterling Silver Tea Set
Brand: Tiffany & Co.
Art Deco tea sets from Tiffany feature sleek geometric designs, clean lines, and minimal ornamentation characteristic of the Art Deco movement. These sets often have angular handles, streamlined forms, and may incorporate geometric patterns or stepped designs.
Value: Complete Tiffany Art Deco tea sets can range from $15,000-$30,000 or more, depending on the design, condition, and provenance. Sets with original fitted cases command premium prices.
7. International Silver Prelude Tea & Coffee Set
Brand: International Silver Company
Pattern Name: Prelude (1939)
International Silver Company produced many popular silverware patterns, and Prelude is one of them. Designed by Alfred G. Kintz, Prelude is known for its classic, elegant design with clean lines and subtle decoration. It has a graceful floral garland design with blossoms at the tips.
Thanks to its elegance, Prelude became one of ISC’s signature designs during the mid-20th century, representing a transition from the ornate design to a more refined, modern style.
Value: Complete Prelude tea and coffee sets range from $3,000-$7,500 today. Sets with matching trays can command prices of $8,000 or more.
8. Reed & Barton Georgian Rose Silver Tea Set
Brand: Reed & Barton
Pattern Name: Georgian Rose (1962)
As the name indicates, this tea set features the iconic mid-20th century Georgian Rose pattern. The pattern, introduced by Reed & Barton Co., features elegant hand-chased rose motifs with scrolling foliage against a stippled background. The pieces also have curved, fluted forms with scalloped borders and ornate handles.
Value: Full Georgian Rose tea sets typically sell for $4,000-$7,500, depending on condition and the number of pieces. Small sets with 4-5 pieces can also fetch up to $1,500.
9. Frank M. Whiting Talisman Rose Sterling Silver Tea Set
Brand: Frank M. Whiting & Company
Pattern Name: Talisman Rose (1940)
This vintage silver tea set belongs to the popular line, Talisman Rose, released by Frank M. Whiting Company in the 1940s. Founded in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, in 1878, Frank M. Whiting & Company established a reputation for high-quality silver.
The Talisman Rose pattern was created during a period when naturalistic floral designs were quite popular. It features exquisite hand-chased roses in high relief set against a stippled background. Each piece is adorned with intricately detailed rose blossoms, stems, and leaves that create a romantic, garden-inspired aesthetic.
The company remained independent until 1960, when it was acquired by Gorham.
Value: Large Talisman Rose tea can sell for $1,000-$5,000 today, with sets with matching trays or unusual pieces such as kettle-on-stands reaching $8,000 or more. Small 3-4-piece sets can easily fetch up to $1,500.
10. Tiffany Repousse Tea Set – Ivy Pattern
Brand: Tiffany & Co.
Pattern Name: Ivy
Just like the name, the Ivy tea set from Tiffany & Co. shows ornate repoussé-style ivy vines, leaves, and tendrils winding across the surface of each piece. The repoussé technique of hammering the silver from the inside to create raised designs makes the pattern more 3D-like.
Moreover, each piece of the set features high-relief lifelike ivy foliage against a stippled or textured background. The handles, spouts, and finials also feature ivy elements.
Value: Complete Tiffany Ivy pattern tea sets are exceptionally valuable, often commanding $5,000 to $20,000 or more. Rare or unusual pieces can significantly increase the value, with exceptional sets selling at auction for $60,000 or more.
What Makes a Vintage Silver Tea Set Valuable?
Identifying a valuable vintage silver tea set from the lot can be tricky if you don’t know what to look for. Generally, the value of a set will depend on several factors,
Silver Purity and Composition
The composition of an antique silver tea set largely impacts its value. A tea set made from sterling silver (92.5% silver content) is far more valuable than silver-plated sets with only a thin layer of silver over a base metal.
Hallmarks & Purity Marks
Authentic sterling silver pieces with clear purity hallmarks often fetch higher prices than unmarked pieces. Some common silver hallmarks to look for are:
- “925” or “Sterling” (Common in American silver after 1868)
- British Hallmarks – Look for a lion passant (for sterling) and assay office marks from London, Birmingham, or Sheffield.
- French Minerva Head Mark (indicating at least 95% silver)
- German Crescent Moon & Crown (indicating silver content)
- Gorham, Tiffany & Co., or Reed & Barton marks (for U.S. manufacturers)
- Additional silversmith marks apart from hallmarks
Rarity of Patterns & Craftsmanship
Naturally, silver sets with ornate patterns, especially hand-chased or repoussé work, get more attention from collectors than simple and plain designs. Machine-made engravings are less valuable.
Moreover, patterns inspired by Rococo, Baroque, and Georgian styles are highly desirable due to their elaborate scrollwork and floral motifs. Similarly, unique designs, such as figural patterns, mythological scenes, or nature-inspired patterns (such as Tiffany’s Audubon or Gorham’s Chantilly), add to rarity and value.
Lastly, uncommon patterns (e.g., early Art Deco pieces from the 1920s) tend to be more valuable.
Completeness of the Set
If a tea set is complete with all its items, usually including a teapot, sugar bowl, creamer, and waste bowl, it will fetch higher returns than an incomplete set. Single pieces are valued even less, unless featuring an exceptional pattern.
Collector’s Tip: Having the original matching tray (especially large or footed trays) dramatically increases the set’s worth.
Brand Reputation & Historical Context
Generally, vintage tea sets from renowned silversmiths such as Tiffany & Co., Gorham, Reed & Barton, Paul Storr, and Stieff are more sought-after due to craftsmanship and brand prestige. Moreover, if the set was owned by royalty, aristocrats, or historical figures, it can skyrocket in value.
