Antique Silver Soup Tureens
The most imposing piece on the dining table — a grand lidded silver tureen for soup, often weighing many ounces and made by the greatest makers. A guide to identifying, dating, valuing and selling antique silver soup tureens in the UK.
What Is Your Silver Soup Tureen Worth?
Send a photo — including the marks on the base and cover — and we'll value it free, with no obligation. We reply within one working day.
Of all dining silver, the soup tureen is the grandest — a large, lidded, footed vessel that anchored the table and showed off both a household's wealth and a maker's skill. Heavy, often cast and beautifully finished, the finest Georgian tureens by makers such as Paul Storr are among the most valuable pieces of domestic silver to come to market.
Silver soup tureens: what they are
A soup tureen is a large covered serving vessel for soup, raised on a spreading foot or feet, with loop or cast handles, a domed cover and usually a decorative finial. Forms range from elegant Georgian oval boat shapes with gadrooned rims to grander Regency and Victorian cast examples, sometimes with armorial engraving and on a matching stand. Weight, maker and date drive value heavily — and many are substantial pieces of silver. See our silver collection.
What collectors look for
Great makers
Paul Storr and the leading Georgian and Regency makers command the strongest prices.
Weight
Tureens are heavy; fine, thick-gauge silver greatly increases both metal and collector value.
Georgian date & form
Elegant Georgian and Regency shapes with crisp cast borders over plain later copies.
Complete & matching
Cover, finial, liner and any matching stand present; armorials adding provenance.
What are antique silver soup tureens worth?
Among the highest-value table silver — driven by weight, maker and date:
Indicative only — your tureen depends on maker, hallmark date, weight and condition. Send a photo for a free, accurate valuation.
What Determines Value
The factors we assess on a silver soup tureen:
- Maker — Paul Storr and leading makers over unmarked pieces.
- Weight — Heavy, thick-gauge silver lifts value markedly.
- Date — Georgian and Regency examples most prized.
- Completeness — Cover, finial, liner and matching stand.
- Marks — Body and cover both marked to one maker and date.
- Condition — No splits, dents, repairs or erased armorials.
Marks are on the base and cover — look for the lion passant for sterling. Plate is marked EPNS.
How to identify and date your soup tureen
Check the base and the cover for the lion passant (sterling), town mark, date letter and maker's mark — ideally body and cover share the same marks, confirming an original piece. Plated tureens stamped EPNS are worth far less — see our EPNS vs sterling silver guide. The date letter dates it — use our how to read silver hallmarks guide. Because tureens are heavy, the silver price valuation guide and live silver price matter for the metal-value floor.
Tureens belong with the grandest dining and table silver. See our guides to epergnes, Paul Storr silver and browse our silver for sale. When you're ready to sell, visit sell your silver.
Value Your Soup Tureen
Send photographs of the tureen, the cover and the marks, and we'll give you an honest, no-obligation valuation.
⚠️ Strictly by appointment only — no walk-ins at either showroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Antique silver soup tureens — common questions.
What is a silver soup tureen?
A large covered serving vessel for soup, raised on a foot, with loop or cast handles, a domed cover and a finial. The grandest piece of table silver, made from the 18th century onward.
How much is an antique silver soup tureen worth?
Among the most valuable table silver. From moderate (strong silver weight) for a plain Victorian tureen up to a high collector premium for Georgian or named-maker examples. Maker, weight and date decide. Send a photo for a free valuation.
Why are tureens worth so much?
They are large and heavy — significant silver weight — and the best were made by the leading makers with fine casting and engraving, so they combine strong metal value with high collector appeal.
How do I tell sterling from plate?
Look for the lion passant hallmark on the base and cover. Plated tureens are marked EPNS or A1 and worth far less. Send a photo of the marks and we'll confirm.
Does an engraved armorial matter?
A period armorial can add provenance and interest. A crudely erased crest, or a later-added one, can detract. We can advise from a photo.
Where can I sell an antique silver soup tureen in the UK?
Mozeris Fine Antiques are specialist silver buyers with showrooms in Mayfair, London and Braintree, Essex. We offer free, no-obligation valuations — send photos or visit by appointment.
Send Us Your Photographs
Attach photos of the tureen, cover and the marks. We'll respond within one working day.