Silverplate Teapots & Sets

Silverplate teapots and sets amplify the elegance and Old World sophistication of any home. Since they are plated with either sterling or pure silver, they possess the entrancing white glow that collectors desire, but can be purchased at a much more accessible price point. Sterling silver tea sets can be exorbitantly expensive, often in the thousands and sometimes tens of thousands of dollars. Thus, silverplate teapots and sets offer a more affordable way for collectors to furnish their homes.

Because silverplate only uses a small amount of pure silver, which cannot easily be extracted, the material itself has little resale value compared to that of sterling. As a result, the uniqueness and desirability of the design as well as the manufacturer and the quality of craftsmanship will have the greatest influence on its price point.

Silverplated teapots and sets can sell anywhere from $500 to several hundred dollars, sometimes more. A highly sought-after pattern by a reputable maker, such as a Winthrop-style tea set from Reed & Barton, often sells for more than $400 dollars at auction. However, that is still markedly less expensive than its retail price of around $1,000.

Quick Facts

• While silverplate teapots and sets generally have no marks to identify them as silverplate, they are a noticeably lighter weight than sterling
• In 2011, Skinner Auctioneers sold a Skyscraper tea set, designed in 1925 by Louis B. Rice, for more than $7,000
• Silverplated teapots and sets that are missing pieces or have condition issues can often be purchased for a song, often less than $100