Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Danish Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Late 19th Century French Gothic Revival Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Agate, Chalcedony, Pearl, Sterling Silver
1970s Japanese British Colonial Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
1890s Chinese Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
20th Century American Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Modernist Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
20th Century European Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Crystal
20th Century German Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
19th Century Russian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Gold, Silver, Enamel
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Persian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Early 20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Crystal, Amethyst
20th Century Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1960s English Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s Dutch Empire Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century German Art Deco Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver Plate
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Mexican Artisan Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Turquoise, Silver Plate
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Gold, Sterling Silver
1970s Japanese Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
20th Century Art Deco Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century British Post-War Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Revival Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
19th Century European Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1930s American Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1940s Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Unknown Baroque Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1980s Portuguese Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Asian Artisan Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Early 1900s German Rococo Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Late 19th Century Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1860s English Edwardian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1910s Australian Edwardian Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
19th Century Swiss Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Gold, Enamel
1880s American Early Victorian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
2010s Greek Artist Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
20th Century Mexican Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century German Artisan Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Blue Sapphire, Silver
1890s Austrian Renaissance Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Garnet, Turquoise, Silver, 18k Gold, Gold-filled
2010s Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Brass
2010s Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Base Metal
2010s Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Brass
1790s French Edwardian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Antique and Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silver Plate
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.