In this guide (4)
Quick answer. Mozeris Fine Antiques is a UK specialist dealer in antique and vintage sterling silver tea services, and also buys complete or partial sets from private sellers.
- A full British hallmark with the lion passant confirms solid sterling silver; EPNS or A1 means silver plate.
- Matched hallmarks across teapot, sugar bowl and cream jug matter more than a mismatched group.
- Georgian, Regency and Art Deco sterling services by named makers attract the strongest collector demand.
- Never polish away bright-cut engraving or force ivory/ebony handles before an appraisal.
Where to buy vintage silver tea services online
When buying a vintage silver tea service online, look for a specialist silver dealer that verifies every hallmark on each piece of the set, checks for split solder seams around spouts and handles, and discloses whether any piece is a later marriage. Mozeris Fine Antiques stocks vetted English, Scottish and European sterling silver across our antique silver tableware and antique silver pages.
For a full breakdown of periods, decoration and care, see our complete antique silver tea service guide. If you have inherited a tea set to sell, send photographs through our sell silver or sell your silver tea set pages.
Sterling silver vs EPNS tea services
Most nineteenth- and early twentieth-century tea sets found in UK homes are electroplated nickel silver (EPNS) rather than solid sterling. Read the underside of every piece before forming an opinion.
- Solid sterling silver: carries the lion passant (or Scottish lion rampant / thistle), an assay office mark (leopard's head for London, anchor for Birmingham, crown or rose for Sheffield), a date letter and a maker's mark.
- EPNS and silver plate: carries letters such as EPNS, EP, EPBM (electroplated Britannia metal), A1 or a manufacturer's trade stamp without an assay date letter.
- Matching marks: a genuine set shares the same maker and year letter across the teapot, milk jug and sugar bowl.
Sell to a specialist
Free valuation from your photographs. Paid the same day after inspection.
- Free insured FedEx collection
- Insured to £10,000
- No obligation
Makers and styles collectors look for
| Maker or style | Hallmark / origin | What collectors value |
|---|---|---|
| Georgian and Regency (Paul Storr, Hester Bateman, Rebecca Emes & Edward Barnard) | London assay marks, 1780 to 1830 | Heavy gauge silver, crisp bright-cut engraving or melon fluting, clean proportions |
| Mappin & Webb | Sheffield and London | Consistent craftsmanship, matched 4-piece and 5-piece sets with trays |
| Walker & Hall | Sheffield (flag mark W&H) | Quality Victorian and Edwardian sterling wares alongside heavy-gauge plate |
| Art Deco sterling sets (1920s to 1940s) | Birmingham, Sheffield and London | Stepped octagonal bodies, ivory or Bakelite handles, minimal chasing |