Find the exact piece of antique silver spoon jewelry you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of
Silver,
Sterling Silver and
Gold, this item was constructed with great care. Making the right choice when shopping for an item from our selection of antique silver spoon jewelry may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 18th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 20th Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. A choice in our collection of antique silver spoon jewelry from
Emile Puiforcat,
Gorham and
Hester Bateman — each of whom created a beautiful version of this treasured accessory — is worth considering. While most can agree that any object in our assortment of antique silver spoon jewelry from our collection can easily elevate most outfits, but the choice of a
Carnelian version from the 1 available is guaranteed to add a special touch to your ensemble. Today, if you’re looking for a
cabochon version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes alternatives. When shopping for an option in this array of antique silver spoon jewelry, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or
men today than there are for
women.
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.