Browse our collection of antique silver Tea Caddy Spoons, Teapot Stands, Tea Strainers, Spoon Trays etc. After tea was first introduced into England in the late 17th century women adopted the drink for their social gatherings and served tea after dinner. It was also an occasion to demonstrate wealth and good taste by showing off their complement of silver teawares. “Afternoon tea” in Great Britain was established by the seventh Duchess of Bedford in the 19th century. At that time, lunch was taken early and supper very late so the duchess made a habit of taking tea in the afternoon between three and four o’clock together with a light meal. Nowadays, the popular English tea tradition can still be enjoyed with an enchanting array of antique sterling silver accessories.

Tea Caddy Spoons, for measuring out tea leaves, were made from 1780 onwards. Many can be found in novelty shapes such as the collectible jockey cap.

Teapot Stands. Many flat based teapots were found to scorch the tea table so separate teapot stands were made in order to avoid this.

Tea Strainers became popular in the 20th century and are used to filter tea leaves when pouring tea. During the 18th century orange and lemon strainers were popular accessories for punch and they have become popular recently as tea strainers, although they are generally larger than the ones made nowadays.

The Tea Infuser is a device in which loose, dried tea leaves are placed for steeping or brewing, in a cup or teapot full of hot water; it is often called a teaball or tea maker, and sometimes a tea egg.

Spoon trays. Tea drinking became fashionable during the first half of the 18th century and part of the hostess’s tea silver would have been a spoon tray. On this would have been placed a teaspoon and a mote spoon (for straining tea leaves). These spoons were made by specialist flatware makers and are never found with these trays.

Toast racks are not known until the late 18th century. Prior to this toast must have been served on a dish or maybe wrapped in a napkin. Some of the earliest designs have oval or oblong tray bases.