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Finding the Right sterling-silver for You
Dining and entertaining changed drastically when we began to set our tables with sterling silver for holiday gatherings, wedding receptions, engagement parties and, in some of today’s homes, everyday meals.
Often called the “Queen of metals,” silver has been universally adored for thousands of years. It is easy to see why it has always been sought after: It is durable, strong and beautiful. (Louis XIV had tables made entirely of silver.) Sterling silver is an alloy that is made of 92.5 percent silver — the “925” stamp that identifies sterling-silver jewelry refers to this number. The other 7.5 percent in sterling silver is typically sourced from copper.
Neoclassical-style sterling-silver goods in Europe gained popularity in the late 18th century — a taste for sterling-silver tableware as well as tea sets had taken shape — while in the United States, beginning in the 19th century, preparing the dinner table with sterling-silver flatware had become somewhat of a standard practice. Indeed, owning lots of silver goods during the Victorian era was a big deal. Back then, displaying fine silver at home was a status symbol for middle-class American families. And this domestic silver craze meant great profitability for legendary silversmith manufacturers such as Reed & Barton, Gorham Manufacturing Company and the International Silver Company, which was incorporated in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1898, a major hub of silver manufacturing nicknamed “Silver City.”
Today, special occasions might call for ceremonial silver designed by Tiffany & Co. or the seductive sterling-silver cutlery from remarkable Danish silversmith Georg Jensen, but there really doesn’t have to be an event on the calendar to trot out your finest tableware.
Event- and wedding-planning company maestro Tara Guérard says that some “investment pieces,” such as this widely enamored alloy, should see everyday use, and we’re inclined to agree.
“Sterling-silver flatware is a must-have that you can use every single day, even to eat cereal,” she says. “Personally, I want a sterling-silver goblet set for 12 to 20; I would use them every time I had a dinner party. Ultimately, there are no criteria for buying vintage pieces: Buy what you love, and make it work.”
Whether you’re thinking “ceremonial” or “cereal,” browse a versatile collection of vintage, new and antique sterling-silver wares on 1stDibs today.
- What is a Victorian what-not?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A what-not is a French piece of furniture featuring an open-shelf design for small knick-knacks or ornaments. It’s generally a smaller piece of furniture used for display purposes. Browse a selection of what-not shelves on 1stDibs to proudly display your favorite collectibles.
- What is a Victorian chatelaine?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021A Victorian chatelaine is a decorative clasp worn by women on the waist during the Victorian era. These were popular between the 16th and 18th centuries, and during the 19th century, they weren’t seen as often but were still considered fashionable. Women suspended useful household accessories from a chatelaine, including scissors, a needle case for sewing, keys and more. While all members of society wore chatelaines, the especially sculptural ones were donned in public and were sometimes considered a fashion statement. Shop a collection of vintage and modern Victorian chatelaines from some of the world’s top jewelers on 1stDibs.
- What is a Victorian Canterbury?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Victorian canterbury is a type of furniture designed to hold sheet music. Canterburies are often designed with a drawer beneath for storage and are crafted with high-quality wood or metal, or a combination of both. Browse a selection of canterburies from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a Victorian ring?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021Victorian rings are usually made with fine metals and feature impressive gemstones in ornate settings. The style of Victorian jewelry was defined during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 to 1901). Early Victorian rings were large, brightly colored, and boldly designed, with gemstones such as bloodstones, chalcedonies, garnets, moss agate, rubies, smoky quartz and topazes. During the mid-Victorian period, the designs were more sophisticated, using gemstones such as opals, crystals, emeralds, diamonds, pearls, black glass, jet, and rubies. In the late-Victorian period, platinum became widely used in the jewelry of the era and replaced gold and silver settings for the first time. Find a collection of antique and vintage Victorian rings on 1stDibs.
- What is a Victorian Chiffonier?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Victorian chiffonier is a type of low, two-door cupboard with a long cutlery drawer and shelves on top. It’s similar to a sideboard but distinguished by its smaller size. Shop a collection of antique Victorian chiffoniers from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a Victorian washstand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023A Victorian washstand is a cabinet or stand designed to hold a pitcher and a basin. During the Victorian era, people used washstands to brush their teeth, wash their faces and perform other grooming tasks in their bedrooms. Shop a collection of washstands on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023Yes, Victorians had marble fireplaces. During the era, people also had fireplaces made of wood and other types of stone. The fireplace provided a source of heat and light on chilly nights. On 1stDibs, shop a range of fireplaces from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021Queen Victoria influenced fashion quite a bit during her reign. However, only the wealthy women had the luxury of wearing classic Victorian garb: corsets beneath full-skirted silk and satin dresses. Wealthy men dressed just as elaborately as their female counterparts: suits with long frock coats and bow ties. Poor Victorians, on the other hand, tended to wear thin cotton or linen clothing.
- What is a Victorian vesta case?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A vesta case is a small box that’s designed to hold matches. The name Vesta is taken from the Roman goddess of the hearth. Interestingly, in the 1830s, friction matches became as popular as strike-anywhere matches. However, they were unstable and could combust at any time, so a case to hold and protect the individual matches was necessary. Shop a range of antique and vintage vesta cases on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021The Victorian morning room is a room where the lady of the house prepares for the day ahead. The room is usually filled with light, bright furnishings and a writing desk where the mistress spends her mornings to keep her household running smoothly. You can find a variety of Victorian furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Victorian furniture often features dark woods with ornate carvings, heavy luxurious fabrics and often features natural images. Painted and gilded accents add to the luxe feel. From 1830 to 1890, during the reign of Queen Victoria, this very ornate style was popular with a great mix of other styles. Shop a collection of Victorian furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023To be able to tell if jewelry is Victorian, a buyer can look for certain characteristics that have come to define these pieces, but it may be difficult given that no single period has seen such a diverse group of jewelry attributed to it than the Victorian era. Victorian jewelry is named after Queen Victoria, whose reign lasted from 1837 to 1901, making her the second longest-ruling monarch. Queen Victoria loved serpentine jewels, and snake jewels made during the Victorian era came in a vast array of styles. Romantic period jewelry featured common decorative motifs and was embellished with seed pearls, coral and turquoise. Everything changed with the death of Prince Albert, and the Grand period is most often associated with mourning jewelry. Jewelry was smaller, lighter and more dainty during the late Victorian period. The best way to tell if jewelry is Victorian is generally to work with an antiques appraiser or otherwise qualified professional in the jewelry industry. Shop a collection of antique Victorian jewelry from some of the world's top jewelers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021As the name suggests, mourning jewelry represents connection to a deceased individual or loved one. In the Victorian era, people were expected to wear mourning clothing and accessories following the death of a loved one. As brooches were popular during the Victorian period, they became a favorite for those who wanted to memorialize the dead. Find a collection of vintage and antique brooches on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022A Victorian fainting couch is a piece of furniture that has one raised end and one low end. It accommodates one person who rests their back against the high end and stretches their legs out along the seat. Today, this piece of furniture is known as a chaise lounge. Find a selection of fainting couches on 1stDibs.
- What is a Victorian sofa called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A settee is the name given to long couches from the 17th century that were similar to the modern sofa but often much more elaborate than functional. Victorian furniture featured ornate carvings, heavy and luxurious fabrics and dark hardwoods. Shop a range of antique and vintage sofas and settees on 1stDibs.
- What is a Victorian book chain?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021A Victorian book chain is a piece of jewelry — usually a necklace — that can be found in gold, sterling silver and other materials. Each link in the chain is a rectangle-shaped piece of folded metal that resembles a book. Shop a collection of vintage and modern Victorian book chains from some of the world’s top jewelers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Victorian slipper chair is a chair that was made to be shorter than the average chair. The height of its seat was 15 inches from the floor, compared to the standard 17 to 18 inches. Shop a collection of Victorian slipper chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a Victorian-cut diamond?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021A Victorian-cut diamond features a top crown that is distinctly multifaceted — it has a small table and step-cut bottom pavilion that comprises 73 facets. It appears quite large when set. Relatedly, rose-cut diamonds are uncommon in modern jewelry and are often associated with antique styles like Victorian or Georgian.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023A Victorian rocking horse is a child’s toy produced during the Victorian era, which refers to the years of the reign of Queen Victoria of England, 1837 to 1901. Prior to the industrialization that took shape during the 19th century, which allowed these structures to be mass-produced, rocking horses were hand-carved in wood and hand-painted to resemble a horse. Two rockers, mirroring those of modern rocking chairs, are attached to the horse’s legs, and when a child sits on the seat, the horse gently rocks back and forth. On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique rocking horses.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 7, 2024To identify Victorian furniture, look closely at the details. Victorian furniture is regal, ornate and luxurious. Growing out of the earlier Gothic and Louis XV styles, it came into its own in the mid-1800s, during the reign of Queen Victoria in England. Some key characteristics of furniture from the period include curved lines and stately proportions, floral and geometric patterns, highly detailed embellishments and the use of rich, often exotic woods. If you are unsure whether a particular piece is Victorian, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can assist you. Find a wide range of Victorian furniture on 1stDibs.