Bone Flatware
20th Century Russian Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Silver
Antique Early 19th Century English George III Coffee and Tea Sets
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Flatware and Serving Pieces
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century Russian Coffee and Tea Sets
Silver Plate
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21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
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Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
1990s More Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary American Baroque More Jewelry
Gold, 24k Gold
Late 20th Century More Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary American More Jewelry
Gold, 24k Gold, Gold Plate
Vintage 1950s More Jewelry
2010s American Pendant Necklaces
Diamond
Vintage 1980s Swiss Wrist Watches
Diamond, Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary More Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American More Jewelry
24k Gold, Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Brooches
Yellow Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French More Jewelry
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1960s More Jewelry
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Antique 1890s Dutch Art Nouveau Centerpieces and Tazzas
Silver
20th Century British Victorian Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Silver
Lebanese Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Antique 19th Century British Victorian More Silver, Flatware and Silverp...
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1940s Italian Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Pitchers and Decanters
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1930s American Coffee and Tea Sets
Silver, Sterling Silver
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.