Silver Demitasse Set
A silver demitasse set brings small-scale elegance to after-dinner coffee through fitted cases and intricate spoon handles.
Silver Demitasse Set
When you search for a silver demitasse set, you encounter cased collections of small spoons designed specifically for after-dinner coffee, often accompanied by sugar tongs, porcelain cups, or saucers. These ensembles range from plain sterling spoons to elaborate arrangements featuring enamel work and gilt finishes.
The version you are most likely to meet on this page dates from the early twentieth century, particularly the Art Deco and Edwardian eras. Cased sets from makers in Birmingham and Sheffield appear frequently, housed in original fitted boxes lined with velvet, satin, or silk.
Earlier Victorian examples and later mid-century modern designs also surface, demonstrating how these small sets adapted across decades. Whether plain silver or brightly enamelled, each grouping preserves the specific social rituals of serving small cups of strong coffee.
Materials and construction
Makers utilised sterling silver and silver plate as the foundational metals, frequently applying a layer of gold wash known as silver-gilt to the bowl interiors. Handles often incorporated guilloché enamel in vibrant colours, or featured specialised terminals like bean knops and figural motifs.
Cases relied on sturdy wooden frames covered in leatherette or textured materials, then lined with fitted velvet, satin, or silk to cradle each piece securely. Metal components received traditional hallmarks from assay offices in locations such as Birmingham, Sheffield, and Chester to certify their metallic purity.
Silver Demitasse Set Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for silver demitasse set among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Several coffee spoon sets feature terminals shaped specifically to resemble individual coffee beans, ready to stir your morning brew.
Distinctions in quality
The standard of a silver demitasse set rests on the crispness of the hallmarking, the weight of the metal, and the preservation of any applied enamel or gilding. Sets that retain their original fitted presentation cases with intact interior linings command greater interest than loose spoons.
Execution of decorative details separates standard production pieces from finer works. Sharp casting on figural handles, unblemished guilloché patterns, and robust hinges on fitted boxes indicate superior craftsmanship from established firms.
Turner and Simpson·David Andersen·Elkington·Walker and Hall·Liberty and Co·Cooper Brothers and Sons
The Silver Demitasse Set Glossary
- Demitasse
- A small cup used for serving Turkish coffee or espresso. The term also applies to the small spoons designed to accompany these miniature cups.
- Guilloché
- A decorative technique where a precise, intricate geometric pattern is mechanically engraved into a metal surface. Translucent enamel is frequently layered over this engraving to create depth and shimmering colour.
- Silver-gilt
- Sterling silver or silver plate that has been coated with a thin layer of gold. This process is also referred to as vermeil.
- Hallmark
- An official stamp applied by an assay office to indicate the metal purity, the maker, and the year of manufacture. British pieces typically show a standard mark, a city mark, and a date letter.
- Bean knop
- A decorative terminal shaped like a coffee bean, commonly found on the handles of early twentieth-century coffee spoons.
Silver Demitasse Set: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a demitasse set used for?
These sets are designed for serving small portions of strong coffee after a meal. The miniature spoons stir sugar or cream into small cups.
Historically, they formed part of formal dining traditions and were kept in dedicated presentation cases for special occasions.
How do I store a cased set?
Keep the set inside its original fitted box away from direct sunlight and damp conditions. The velvet or satin linings protect the silver from unnecessary scratching.
Ensure the room humidity remains stable to prevent tarnishing and to preserve the delicate wooden structure of the case.
How do I identify the date?
Examine the metal components for official hallmarks stamped by an assay office. These tiny marks include a specific letter code that corresponds to the year of testing.
Stylistic cues such as geometric Art Deco lines or floral Edwardian motifs also help narrow down the decade of manufacture.
Are all sets made of sterling silver?
Materials vary across different periods and makers, encompassing both solid sterling silver and silver plate. Some pieces also feature gold washes or enamel decorations.
Checking the stamps on the back of the spoon handles will confirm whether the metal is solid sterling or plated.