Gilded Sterling Flatware
Antique Late 19th Century American Gilded Age Barware
Sterling Silver
20th Century Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Revival Serving Bowls and Tureens
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Gilded Age Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century American Gilded Age Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
Antique 1880s American Gilded Age Platters and Trays
Sterling Silver
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Gilded Age Flatware and Serving Pieces
Gilt Metal, Sterling Silver
20th Century American Gilded Age Centerpieces and Tazzas
Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century More Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century Centerpieces and Tazzas
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s Finnish Modern Silver Bowls
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Coffee and Tea Sets
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s More Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1930s English George V Platters and Trays
Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1970s Finnish Modernist Centerpieces and Tazzas
Silver
20th Century German Gilded Age Coffee and Tea Sets
Sterling Silver
People Also Browsed
Early 2000s Italian Modern Choker Necklaces
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Pitchers and Decanters
Sterling Silver
Antique 1870s English Victorian Brooches
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Dangle Earrings
Antique 19th Century Russian Flatware and Serving Pieces
Gold, Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1980s Wrist Watches
Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s Spanish Retro Bangles
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Aesthetic Movement Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Russian Empire Enamel Frames and Objects
Silver, Enamel
Antique 16th Century German Signet Rings
Sterling Silver, Silver
Antique Early 1900s Russian Russian Empire Silver Bowls
Crystal, Silver
Early 20th Century Russian Russian Empire Enamel Frames and Objects
Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Band Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Recent Sales
20th Century German Gilded Age Centerpieces and Tazzas
Sterling Silver, Gilt Metal
British Centerpieces and Tazzas
20th Century French Edwardian Platters and Trays
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 19th Century French Georgian Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian More Silver, Flatware and Si...
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Russian Empire Coffee and Tea Sets
Sterling Silver, Gilt Metal
Antique Late 19th Century American Gilded Age Silver Bowls
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Serving Bowls and Tureens
Sterling Silver
20th Century Coffee and Tea Sets
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Gilded Age Centerpieces and Tazzas
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Centerpieces and Tazzas
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1940s American Silver Bowls
Sterling Silver
American Centerpieces and Tazzas
Antique 1860s British Victorian Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Sterling Silver, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Victorian Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Victorian Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Russian Russian Revival Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver, Silver
20th Century French Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
French Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
French Barware
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s British More Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Antique 1880s French Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary English Pitchers and Decanters
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Platters and Trays
Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
Vintage 1970s Danish Flatware and Serving Pieces
Gilt Metal, Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s British Pitchers and Decanters
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces
18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Gilded Sterling Flatware For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Gilded Sterling Flatware?
Finding the Right Silver, Flatware and Silverplate for You
While early utensils were often shaped from clay, wood or bone, silversmiths later crafted flatware from precious metal. In the 19th century, mass production of electroplated flatware made silver utensils accessible to the middle class. Now, antique and vintage silver, flatware and silver-plate objects for dining and the home are heritage pieces reflecting this history of design.
Silver spoons were so prized in 15th-century England that people would travel with the valuable utensils. Forks in the 17th century were frequently made with steel and likewise only available to the upper class. Silver flatware continued to be produced in small workshops in the 18th century and was a luxury reserved for the elite. When George I came to the throne in 1714, the silver dining service — including plates, dishes, soup tureens, chargers and sauceboats — became all-important.
Innovative manufacturing techniques such as the electroplating process in the 19th century would transform silversmithing with industrialization. Sheffield plate was used from 1750 to 1880 and involved a fusion method to fabricate everything from knife handles to serveware. French industrial chemist Henri de Ruolz discovered a gilding and silver-plating process for metals in 1841, with the silver-like results so celebrated that Napoleon III ordered a 3,000-piece flatware set. The expansion of table service in the Victorian era also led to an increasing number of flatware and serving pieces in a canteen, or cutlery chest, all with specific uses, from toast forks to butter picks.
While affordable metal flatware is widely available today, historic brands including Gorham Manufacturing Company — whose legendary contribution to the history of silver making started in 1831 — and Christofle continue the tradition of silver and silver-plate flatware.
Browse 1stDibs for both antique and contemporary silver, flatware and silver-plate objects in a range of elegant designs to enhance your dining table.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021The most expensive sterling silver flatware is said to be Grand Baroque by Wallace. Sterling silver is a combination of pure silver and copper in a 92.5% and 7.5% ratio. Sterling silver is more valuable because of the silver content. In addition, the age, design, and attractiveness of the silverware may mean its value far exceeds the silver value. Sterling silver flatware with ivory handles is always the most valuable. Find a collection of antique and vintage sterling silver flatware from different creators on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The most popular sterling silver flatware pattern is really a matter of preference because so many exist. Some of the most popular include Chantilly, Rondo, Repousse and Grand Baroque. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of antique and contemporary sterling silver flatware from some of the world’s top sellers.