Skip to main content

German Knives

1
117
1
to
10
55
53
118
118
118
29
17
10
5
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
15
100
1
34
42
12
6
4
5
5
1
10
11
8
103
57
35
26
20
99
82
8
6
3
16
13
7
4
3
Sort By
German Solingen J.A. Henckels cutlery set in box, ca 1900
By J. A. Henckels
Located in Delft, NL
, 48.5 cm wide and 28.5 cm deep. The weight is approx. 3.5 kilos J. A. Henckels is a German knife-maker
Category

Early 20th Century German Tableware

Materials

Metal

German Silverplate Master Butter Knife, Cheese Knife & Master Sugar; 3pcs
Located in Malibu, CA
Set of German silver-plate master butter sugar & spreader. This flatware set is from one of the
Category

Early 20th Century German French Provincial Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

1900's Rare Tortoiseshell 'Swiss Army' Pen Knife
Located in Hong Kong, HK
other useful implements, 9 cm long. The Swiss Army knife (German: Schweizer Offiziersmesser) is a pocket
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Tableware

Materials

Metal

Friedr. Herder Solingen Knife Scissors and Shaving Razor Advertising Enamel Sign
By Friedrich Herder A. Sn Solingen
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
advertising sign. Never used, it was found on the original packaging. Perfect gloss. German made 1900-1915
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Arms, Armor and Weapons

Materials

Metal

Antique Richard Garten Baroque Reticulated 800 Silver Porcelain Handle Knife 7"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 800 silver porcelain serving knife by Richard Garten, featuring a reticulated baroque blade
Category

Early 20th Century Baroque Tableware

Materials

Silver

Bremer Silberwarenfabrik, Germany, Art Deco Fish Cutlery Service in Silver
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Bremer silberwarenfabrik, Germany. Art Deco fish cutlery service in silver complete for 12 people
Category

Vintage 1910s German Art Deco Tableware

Materials

Silver

Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Tableware Set for 6 Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Stainless Steel and Horn 12 Pieces Tableware Set, Germany 1930s A rustic tabelware set
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Tableware

Materials

Metal

Antique Stainless Steel and Horn 12 Pieces Tableware Set, Germany 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Stainless Steel and Horn 12 Pieces Tableware Set, Germany 1930s A rustic tabelware set
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Tableware

Materials

Metal

A German silver (800 standard) canteen of cutlery for 12 people
By Bruckmann & Söhne
Located in London, GB
each of the following - Large tablespoon (for soup), Hors d'oeuvre knifes, Hors d'oeuvre forks, fish
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Deco Tableware

Materials

Silver

Silver 800 Cutlery Set for 12 People, Düsseldorf, Germany, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Silver 800 cutlery set for 12 people. Düsseldorf, Germany, late 19th century. Jugendstil period
Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Jugendstil Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Art Deco Silver Fish Service for 12 Germany circa 1920 Karl Kaltenbach & Sohne
Located in Toronto, Ontario
24 piece Art Deco silver fish service Germany circa 1920. Karl Kaltenbach & Sohne. The service
Category

Vintage 1920s German Art Deco Tableware

Materials

Silver

Silver 925 Cutlery Set for 12 People Signed Bruckmann Germany Late 19th Century
By Bruckmann & Söhne
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Silver 925 Cutlery set for 12 people signed Bruckmann. Germany, late 19th century. Complete for 12
Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Neoclassical Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Stainless Steel Flatware by Villeroy and Boch, Model Avant Garde, Germany, 1971
By Helen von Boch, Villeroy & Boch
Located in Amsterdam, NL
. The set normally comes in a set of 4 ( 4x knife, spoon, fork, and teaspoon). We only have 2 spoons and
Category

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

SOLINGEN - Set of 4 Horn Handled Steak Knives & Forks - Germany - Circa 1950's
By Bestecke Solingen
Located in Chatham, ON
stainless steel engraved knife blades - each piece signed - Germany - circa 1950's. Excellent vintage
Category

Mid-20th Century German Country Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vintage German Sterling Silver Canteen of Cutlery for Twelve Persons
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive vintage German sterling silver Lotus pattern canteen of cutlery
Category

Vintage 1970s British Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Homag 90 German Silverplated Flatware Set Vintage 66 Pieces
Located in Big Bend, WI
Vintage German silverplated flatware set stamped "Homag 90", 72 pieces. This set includes: 12
Category

20th Century Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Cantone by Wilkens Germany 800 Silver Flatware Set Service 108 Pieces Modern
By John Wilkins
Located in Big Bend, WI
Mid-Century Modern cantone by Wilkens German 800 silver flatware set - 108 pieces. This set
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Homag 90 German Silverplated Flatware Set 133 Pieces Service for 12 Vintage
Located in Big Bend, WI
Large German Silverplated Flatware Set stamped "Homag 90", 133 pieces. This set includes: 12
Category

20th Century Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

German Silverplated Flatware Set by Carl Eickhorn Solingen 102 Pc Dinner Service
Located in Big Bend, WI
Monumental German silver plated flatware set by Carl Eickhorn Solingen, 102 pieces. This set
Category

20th Century Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Alt Spaten by Robbe & Berking Germany 800 Silver Flatware Service Set 73 Pcs
By Robbe & Berking
Located in Big Bend, WI
"Alt Spaten" by Robbe & Berking (Germany) 800 silver flatware set with classic fiddle shape design
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Vintage Cutlery Set, Mid-20th Century
By J. A. Henckels
Located in Roma, IT
up of 61 cutleries (forks, knifes, spoons) realized by Zwilling J. A. Henckels. Includes their
Category

Mid-20th Century German Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Vintage Cutlery Set, Mid-20th Century
Vintage Cutlery Set, Mid-20th Century
H 7.49 in W 9.85 in D 14.18 in
Art Nouveau/Jugenstil Sterling Flatware Set
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1900-05, .800 Silver, Franz Bahner, Germany. This 84-piece solid silver flatware set was made
Category

Early 20th Century German Jugendstil Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Complete Silverware Set by WMF in Art Deco Box
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Oakland, CA
initials of the famous German foundry ” Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik”, most often simply called WMF
Category

Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

136-Piece Set of Silver Plated Flatware in Canteen made by Wellner
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Nice set of silver plated flatware for 12 persons made by August Wellner and Sons, Germany. The
Category

Vintage 1920s German Louis XVI Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

High-Quality Stainless Steel and Horn Tableware Set for 6 by Hubertus Solingen
By Bestecke Solingen
Located in Vienna, AT
knife: 28.5cm Meat fork: 26.2cm.
Category

Early 20th Century German Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Romance, Bijorn Windblad Rosenthal Silverplate Flatware for 12 with Case 79 Pcs
By Bijorn Winblad, Rosenthal
Located in St. Louis, MO
following. 12 salad forks 12 dinner forks 12 dinner knifes 12 butter knifes 12 tables spoons 13
Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Steel

MCM Teak & Stainless Steel Carving Set by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
includes a 14" carving knife and a 11" double pronged serving fork. Both pieces are in very good vintage
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

70 Piece Cutlery Set Made of 24 Carat Gilded Stainless Steel in Cassette by SBS
Located in Doornspijk, NL
synonymous with cutlery and knives of the highest level. Since the 16th century, the most talented knife and
Category

Vintage 1970s German Hollywood Regency Tableware

Materials

Gold Plate, Stainless Steel

Complete WMF 156 Piece Cutlery Set. Model 34 Number 34
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in London, GB
large serving fish knife and one large serving fish fork. Four pickle forks and a palette knife and fish
Category

Early 20th Century German Arts and Crafts Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

WMF Rare Art Nouveau Silver Plated Cutlery Set for 24 Persons
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in London, GB
two large serving fish forks. Two large serving fish spoons. Four palette knives. 18 knife rests. 24
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

A Fine Early 20th Century 152 Piece Austrian Flatware Set by Berndorf Alpacca
By Berndorfer Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Los Angeles, CA
ladle 1 Meat carving knife 1 Meat carving fork 1 Salad fork All inside its original lined wooden
Category

Antique Early 1900s Austrian Neoclassical Revival Tableware

Materials

Alpaca, Wood

Alt Kopenhagen by Robbe & Berking 800 Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 87 Pc
By Robbe & Berking
Located in Big Bend, WI
quality combined with German workmanship. Beautiful Alt Kopenhagen by Robbe & Berking Germany 800 silver
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Cutlery Set by Helmut Alder for Amboss Model 2070, 32 Pieces, 1960s
By Amboss Austria, Helmut Alder
Located in Vienna, AT
exhibitions in Austria, Italy and Germany. Our cutterly was bought in the late 60‘s by an Austrian Architect
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Anacapri by Clementi Buccellati Italy 800 Silver Flatware Set 165 Pcs Dinner
By Mario Buccellati
Located in Big Bend, WI
bread knife w/stainless blade, 12", 1 vegetable serving set, 2-pc, 9 3/4", 1 ice tongs, 8 1/2", one
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of Six Silver Plated Pierrot Clown Motif Knife Rests
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of six silver plated figural flatware knife rests in the form of Pierrot, circa 1920s
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Tableware

Materials

Metal

WMF An Art Nouveau Silver Plated 123 Piece Cutlery Service for 12 places
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in London, GB
12 smaller forks. 12 large spoons and 12 smaller spoons. 12 tea spoons. Ten knife rests. One carving
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Set of 12 Hunting Animal Knife Rests by WMF ‘Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik’
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Kent, GB
This a rare complete set in its original box of 12 hunting related knife rests featuring pairs of
Category

Early 20th Century German Jugendstil Tableware

Materials

Pewter

Unusual Antique German Silver Flatware Set, Thistle Design
Located in New York, NY
Antique German, 800 silver, flatware set for 12 people. An unusual, custom-made, hand-forged
Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Tableware

Materials

Silver

Flatware Service for 12, Koch & Bergfeld, Germany, circa 1910
By Koch & Bergfeld
Located in Vienna, AT
hallmark, weight without knives circa 7.000 gramm, 115 pieces: 12 spoon, 12 knife, 12 fork, 12 appetizer
Category

Vintage 1910s German Art Nouveau Tableware

Materials

Silver

Flatware Service for 12, Koch & Bergfeld, Germany, circa 1910
Flatware Service for 12, Koch & Bergfeld, Germany, circa 1910
Free Shipping
H 18.31 in W 24.41 in D 9.65 in
Pair of German Silver Fish Servers, circa 1900, .800 Standard
Located in New York, NY
Pair of German silver fish servers, circa 1900, .800 standard, with engraved gilt metal blade
Category

Antique Early 1900s German Tableware

Materials

Silver

Set of 20 Jugendstil Fish Cutlery Set by Orivit Cologne, Designed in 1907
By Orivit
Located in Vienna, Vienna
The striking fish cutlery set was produced in 1907 by the German silver manufacturer 'Orivit
Category

Antique Early 1900s German Jugendstil Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver

Composition Cutlery by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 1963
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Vienna, AT
16-piece table set for 4 persons, consisting of table knife 21 cm, table fork 18.8 cm, soup spoon
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Dansk Jens Quistgaard "Kongo" Flatware
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Lambertville, NJ
featuring stainless steel with ebony nylon handles (dishwasher safe). Crafted in Germany circa 1958
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tableware

Dansk Jens Quistgaard "Kongo" Flatware
Dansk Jens Quistgaard "Kongo" Flatware
H 8.5 in W 0.5 in D 0.75 in
Fjord Flatware by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk Design
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Klintehamn, SE
than 60 years old but it is as smart and modern today as it was then. All pieces are original German
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Art Deco German Bakelite Fruit Knife Set Holder and Knives
Located in Daylesford, Victoria
Art Deco German bakelite fruit knife set, of 6, with fantastic translucent red bakelite handles
Category

Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Tableware

Materials

Bakelite

Art Deco German Silver Plate Fruit Knives in Stand Holder
Located in Daylesford, Victoria
Art Deco German six fruit knife set, silver plate handles, each Hallmarked “90” within a circle
Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Tableware

Silver cake knife. Approx. 1900. Presumably German.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Silver cake knife. Approx. 1900. Presumably German, Art Nouveau style. Marked 800. In good
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Tableware

Materials

Silver

Dansk Designs Germany 1954 IHQ Fjord Butter Knife Teak & Stainless by Quistgaard
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Chula Vista, CA
One Butter Knife Dansk IHQ Fjord Designs from Germany by Jens Quistgaard designed in 1954 Maker
Category

Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Gianni Versace for Rosenthal, Five Knife Rests in White Porcelain
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Gianni Versace for Rosenthal. Five knife rests in white porcelain with gold ornamentation, late
Category

Late 20th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Gianni Versace for Rosenthal, Six "Arabesque" Knife Rests in Porcelain
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Gianni Versace for Rosenthal. Six "Arabesque" knife rests in porcelain. Late 20th century. In
Category

Late 20th Century German Post-Modern Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

17 Meissen Blue Onion Knife Rests in Hand-Painted Porcelain, Approx 1900
Located in Copenhagen, DK
17 Meissen blue onion knife rests in hand-painted porcelain. Approx. 1900. Measures: 10 x 2 cm
Category

Early 20th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Antique German Silver Fish Service for Eight Persons
By Julius Lemor
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique German silver fish cutlery set for eight persons; an
Category

Antique 1890s German Tableware

Materials

Silver

English Sheffield Sterling Silver 925 Challah Bread Knife Judaica Shabbat
Located in Dayton, OH
"Vintage Shabbat challah knife made in Sheffield, England with stainless steel blade and ornate
Category

Late 20th Century Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel

Antique German Silver Canteen of Cutlery for 12 Persons
By Michael Wimmer
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique German silver boxed canteen of cutlery for 12 persons
Category

Antique 1850s German Tableware

Materials

Silver

Set of JETTE Flatware by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Germany
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in New York, NY
Germany, in the Jette pattern. Priced at $350 per place setting. A total of 12 place
Category

Vintage 1960s German Tableware

Silver Flatware Cutlery 24 Persons, Bremer Silberwarenfabrik, Germany, 1910
By Bremer Silberwarenfabrik
Located in Vienna, AT
Gorgeous German cutlery set of flatware / dinnerware consisting of 396 pieces. Most elegant design
Category

Vintage 1910s German Chippendale Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

19th Century German Silver-Gilt and Porcelain Cutlery Service
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early-19th century German solid silver-gilt and porcelain cutlery service, comprising
Category

Antique Early 19th Century German Tableware

Materials

Silver

19th Century German Silver-Gilt and Porcelain Cutlery Service
19th Century German Silver-Gilt and Porcelain Cutlery Service
Free Shipping
H 3.15 in W 28.75 in D 14.57 in
Antique 1930s German Silver Canteen of Cutlery for Six Persons
By Karl Hohmann
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
mark: Crescent moon and crown The blade of each knife bears the German word 'Rostfrei', which
Category

Vintage 1930s German Tableware

Materials

Silver

Antique German Silver Canteen of Cutlery for 12 Persons
By H. Meyen & Co.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique German silver flatware service for twelve persons; an
Category

Vintage 1920s German Art Nouveau Tableware

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Robbe & Berking, Germany, Large Complete Old Danish Service for 18 People
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Robbe & Berking, Germany. Large complete old Danish service for 18 people in plated silver, 150
Category

Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

  • 1
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "German Knives", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

German Knives For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of German knives available for sale. Frequently made of metal, bakelite and ceramic, all German knives available were constructed with great care. German knives have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. German knives are generally popular furniture pieces, but Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Hollywood Regency styles are often sought at 1stDibs. German knives have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Dansk Designs, Friedrich Herder A. Sn Solingen and Jens Quistgaard are consistently popular.

How Much are German Knives?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $333, while they’re typically $125 on the low end and $3,219 highest priced.

Finding the Right Tableware for You

While it isn’t always top of mind for some, antique and vintage tableware can enhance even the most informal meal. It has been an intimate part of how we’ve interacted with our food for millennia.

Tableware has played a basic but important role in everyday life. Ancient Egyptians used spoons (which are classified as flatware) made of ivory and wood, while Greeks and Romans, who gathered for banquets involving big meals and entertainment, ate with forks and knives. At the beginning of the 17th century, however, forks were still uncommon in American homes. Over time, tableware has thankfully evolved and today includes increasingly valuable implements.

Tableware refers to the tools people use to set the table, including serving pieces, dinner plates and more. It encompasses everything from the intricate and elaborate to the austere and functional, yet are all what industrial product designer Jasper Morrison might call “Super Normal” — anonymous objects that are too useful to be considered banal.

There are four general categories of tableware — serveware, dinnerware, drinkware and, lastly, flatware, which is commonly referred to as silverware or cutlery. Serveware includes serving bowls, platters, gravy boats, casserole pans and ladles. Most tableware is practical, but it can also be decorative. And decorative objects count as tableware too. Even though they don’t fit squarely into one of the four categories, vases, statues and floral arrangements are traditional centerpieces.

Drinkware appropriately refers to the vessels we use for our beverages — mugs, cups and glasses. There is a good deal of variety that falls under this broad term. For example, your cheerful home bar or mid-century modern bar cart might be outfitted with a full range of vintage barware, which might include pilsner glasses and tumblers. Specialty cocktails are often served in these custom glasses, but they’re still a type of drinkware.

Every meal should be special — even if you’re using earthenware or stoneware for a casual lunch — but perhaps you’re hosting a dinner party to mark a specific event. The right high-quality tableware can bring a touch of luxury to your cuisine. Young couples, for example, traditionally add “fine china,” or porcelain, to their wedding registry as a commemoration of their union and likely wouldn’t turn down exquisite silver made by Tiffany & Co. or Georg Jensen.

It’s important to remember, however, that when you’re setting the dining room table to have fun with it. Just as you might mix and match your dining chairs, don’t be afraid to mix new and old or high and low with your tableware. On 1stDibs, find an extraordinary range of vintage and antique tableware to help elevate your meal as well as the mood and atmosphere of your entire dining room.

Questions About German Knives
Prices for most german knives on 1stdibs are negotiable. You’ll see a "Make an Offer" button on the item details page, indicating that the seller is willing to consider a lower price. It’s not uncommon for customers to get 15–25% off the list price after negotiating. See our tips for negotiating like a pro.
Only experienced, professional sellers who have applied and been thoroughly vetted by our team of experts can sell german knives and other quality items on our site. Learn more about becoming a 1stdibs seller.
The 1stdibs Buyer Protection Guarantee provides coverage for qualified purchases in the unlikely event that the item arrives not as described or is damaged. We’ll work with you and the seller to find a resolution, ensuring your satisfaction. View details
We have partnerships with the world's best shipping providers to facilitate seamless and fully-insured delivery from the seller's location directly to you, wherever you are in the world. Our logistics team is comprised of dedicated members who arrange all the details with our partners, servicing and supporting all shipments. Learn more about shipping on 1stdibs.
For your convenience, we offer multiple payment methods, including all major credit cards and PayPal. For many purchases we also offer financing options or wire transfer. Learn more about payment options on 1stdibs.

Read More

How the Chunky, Funky Ceramics of 5 Mid-Century American Artists Balanced Out Slick Modernism

Get to know the innovators behind the pottery countercultural revolution.

Ready for a Cinderella Moment? This Glass Handbag Is a Perfect Fit

Glass slippers might be the stuff of fairytales, but glass handbags? Artist Joshua Raiffe has made them a reality, and they're far less delicate than you might imagine, but just as dreamy.

With Dansk, Jens Quistgaard Delivered Danish Simplicity to American Tables

When a visionary Copenhagen designer teamed up with an enterprising Long Island couple, Scandi-style magic landed in kitchens and dining rooms across the United States.

Hostess Extraordinaire Aerin Lauder Shares Entertaining Tips and Auction Picks

The arbiter of good taste, who has curated a collection for 1stDibs Auctions, invites 1stDibs inside her family’s Hamptons barn for a firsthand look at her welcoming style.

Handmade with Lab-Grade Glass, This Decanter Holds Your Favorite Cocktail Concoctions

Artist Simone Crestani conjures the fascination you remember from Chemistry 101.

28 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name

Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.

Meet the Celebrated Hostess Whose Magical Tabletops Enhance Every Occasion

For Stephanie Booth Shafran, entertaining guests is about opening her heart as well as her home.

How to Identify Real Capodimonte Porcelain

Early examples by the Italian manufacturer can be hard to come by, but the best later pieces possess the same over-the-top charm.