Cup With Lithophane
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Porcelain
Porcelain
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Vintage 1920s Japanese Japonisme Tea Sets
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Finding the Right Dining-entertaining for You
Your dining room table is a place where stories are shared and personalities shine — why not treat yourself and your guests to the finest antique and vintage glass, silver, ceramics and serveware for your meals?
Just like the people who sit around your table, your serveware has its own stories and will help you create new memories with your friends and loved ones. From ceramic pottery to glass vases, set your table with serving pieces that add even more personality, color and texture to your dining experience.
Invite serveware from around the world to join your table settings. For special occasions, dress up your plates with a striking Imari charger from 19th-century Japan or incorporate Richard Ginori’s Italian porcelain plates into your dining experience. Celebrate the English ritual of afternoon tea with a Japanese tea set and an antique Victorian kettle. No matter how big or small your dining area is, there is room for the stories of many cultures and varied histories, and there are plenty of ways to add pizzazz to your meals.
Add different textures and colors to your table with dinner plates and pitchers of ceramic and silver or a porcelain lidded tureen, a serving dish with side handles that is often used for soups. Although porcelain and ceramic are both made in a kiln, porcelain is made with more refined clay and is more durable than ceramic because it is denser. The latter is ideal for statement pieces — your tall mid-century modern ceramic vase is a guaranteed conversation starter. And while your earthenware or stoneware is maybe better suited to everyday lunches as opposed to the fine bone china you’ve reserved for a holiday meal, handcrafted studio pottery coffee mugs can still be a rich expression of your personal style.
“My motto is ‘Have fun with it,’” says author and celebrated hostess Stephanie Booth Shafran. “It’s yin and yang, high and low, Crate & Barrel with Christofle silver. I like to mix it up — sometimes in the dining room, sometimes on the kitchen banquette, sometimes in the loggia. It transports your guests and makes them feel more comfortable and relaxed.”
Introduce elegance at supper with silver, such as a platter from celebrated Massachusetts silversmith manufacturer Reed and Barton or a regal copper-finish flatware set designed by International Silver Company, another New England company that was incorporated in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1898. By then, Meriden had already earned the nickname “Silver City” for its position as a major hub of silver manufacturing.
At the bar, try a vintage wine cooler to keep bottles cool before serving or an Art Deco decanter and whiskey set for after-dinner drinks — there are many possibilities and no wrong answers for tableware, barware and serveware. Explore an expansive collection of antique and vintage glass, ceramics, silver and serveware today on 1stDibs.
- What is a china cup?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Bone china cups are made from a type of porcelain consisting of bone ash, kaolin and feldspathic material, and it contains a minimum of 30% phosphate from animal bone.
- What is a wedding Cup?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021A wedding cup has a swiveling cup and a hollow dress which allows both the bride and groom to drink simultaneously. It is used for a toast and a trial for the bride and the groom. Find a collection of vintage and antique wedding cups on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A demitasse cup is used for serving Turkish coffee or espresso. In French, demitasse translates to “half cup,” and therefore holds between 2-3 ounces of liquid.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A demitasse is half the cup of a traditional mug. Demitasses usually come with accompanying saucers.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The tradition of the loving cup involves two people drinking out of the double-handled cup at the same time. It is a common part of Scottish wedding ceremonies and symbolizes the intimacy and selflessness that come with marriage. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of loving cups.
- What are espresso cups called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Espresso cups are called demitasses. The name means "half cup" in French and refers to the small size of the drinkware. Most demitasses hold 2-3 ounces of liquid, making them roughly half the size of mugs used to serve coffee. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of demitasses.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A loving cup was originally a drinking cup that was designed to be shared at banquets, weddings and other celebrations. It featured two handles to make it easier to pass along. Cups would also be used as trophies, and led to the classic double-handled cup trophy shape. Shop an array of loving cups from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a stirrup cup used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A stirrup cup is a drink or parting cup that’s given to guests when they’re leaving. This goes back to when guests would leave on horseback, literally with their feet in stirrups. Stirrup cups are also often tied to a hunt and handed to hunters as they arrive home or leave for a hunt. Find an assortment of stirrup cups from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What are stirrup cups used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Stirrup cups were traditionally used for giving a drink to someone on horseback. Most often, people presented them to those about to depart for hunts. As a result, many have deer, fox, dog or duck etchings. Find a variety of stirrup cups on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A plate under a teacup is a saucer. Often, saucers come with teacups and show off matching designs. The use of saucers dates back to the Middle Ages. During the 18th century, people often poured tea onto the saucer to cool it and then sipped from the dish. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of saucers.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The cup that a king drinks out of is known as a chalice. In addition to their association with members of the monarchy, the vessels are also a part of traditional Catholic masses for serving communion. You'll find a variety of antique chalices on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021While a little copper exposure can be healthy, too much may be bad for your health and more acidic liquids can leech more copper out of the cup but this is still highly unlikely. You can also find unlined copper cups to be extra safe.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Handleless tea cups are called “sipper cups”, and are probably the oldest form of tea cups. There’s also a proper way to use them - two fingers on the bottom and your thumb on top of the cup. On 1stDibs, find vintage and contemporary tea cups from some of the top sellers around the world.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Traditionally, hot beverages presented as small servings are served in a demitasse cup. Examples include single and double shots of espresso and other strong coffee drinks like Greek and Turkish coffee. Find a range of antique and vintage demitasse cups on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021Japanese tea cups are usually called Yunomi, which are cylindrical in shape. They do not have any handles. These tea cups are made of ceramic materials and are the most common tea cups used in Japan. Grab your unique Yunomi tea cups on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The tin cup necklace got its name after this delicate pearl necklace became famous for being worn by actress Rene Russo, who starred in the movie Tin Cup. On 1stDibs, find an array of tin cup necklaces to enliven your look.
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