$399 / set
H 1.19 in Dm 10.63 in
The Sultan's Garden Hand-Painted Ceramic Dinner Plates - Set of 6, Made in Italy
By Les Ottomans
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Elevate your table with The Sultan's Garden plate, a harmonious blend of artistry and elegance. The
Ceramic
Sultan Beyazit Ceramic Plate by Les Ottomans, Handmade in Italy
By Les Ottomans
Located in Firenze, IT
Ceramic plate representing Sultan Beyazit with digital ikat print for food and dishwasher use
Ceramic
Sultan Hurrem Ceramic Plate by Les Ottomans, Handmade in Italy
By Les Ottomans
Located in Firenze, IT
Ceramic plate representing Sultan Hurrem with digital Ikat print for food and dishwasher use
Ceramic
Sultan Selim III Ceramic Plate by Les Ottomans, Handmade in Italy
By Les Ottomans
Located in Firenze, IT
Ceramic plate representing Sultan Selim III with digital Ikat print for food and dishwasher use
Ceramic
Unavailable
H 0.79 in Dm 11.03 in
Sultan Abdulmecid I Ceramic Plate by Les Ottomans, Handmade in Italy
By Les Ottomans
Located in Firenze, IT
Ceramic plate representing Sultan Abdulmecid I with digital ikat print for food and dishwasher use
Ceramic
Rosso Wall Mirror
By Specchi Veneziani
Located in Milan, IT
Crafted in the finest Murano tradition, this exquisite Venetian mirror is a true work of art. Assembled with crystal and gold elements, and adorned with red glass flowers, each piece...
Glass
$264 / item
H 9.45 in W 14.18 in D 0.79 in
21st Century ‘Greek Coupe’, in White Ceramic, Hand-Crafted in France
By Inhee Ma
Located in Marchaux-Chaudefontaine, FR
A part of a captivating new line blending ancient Greek pottery with contemporary design, the ‘Greek Coupe’ vase showcases delicate blue underglaze illustrations that harmonize tradi...
Clay, Stoneware
Bubble Bowl in Light Pink Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Our Bubble Bowl is handmade in marbled light pink resin. Its modern, fun and unique design makes it a statement piece and can be used as decor or as a fruit platter. Designed by Pao...
Resin
$192 / item
H 18.1 in W 5.9 in D 16.5 in
Whisper Vase Sculpture, Handmade Organic Shape in Terracotta Red
Located in New York, US
Unique and organic shape featuring a stunning hand-crafted textures giving a touch of elegance to any space. Each piece is the work of individual artisan, making each piece one-of-a-...
Terracotta
$545Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 4.14 in W 2.56 in D 4.14 in
Set of 12 Handmade Unique Goto Murano Drinking Glasses
By Roberto Beltrami
Located in Murano, VE
The Murano Glass Goto collection brings a piece of authentic Italian art to your dining table. Hand-blown with artistic expertise, these glasses are inspired by the traditional Venet...
Murano Glass
Hand-Painted Iron Trays - Zodiac Set of 2
By Bertrando Di Renzo
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Celebrate the cosmos with our set of hand-painted iron trays, each intricately featuring the Zodiac signs. Perfect for decorative use, these trays bring astrological charm and artist...
Iron
Armadillo Sterling Silver Lighter
By Fratelli Lisi
Located in Milan, IT
Playful true-to-life silver armadillo that serves as a lighter other than being a decorative artwork in its own right. Expertly made by the Florentine silversmiths, the Lisi brothers...
Sterling Silver
The 'Matisse' Etagere
Located in London, GB
The 'Matisse' wrought iron side table. A hand made and patinated wrought iron etagere with whimsical Matisse style cut-out decoration. Made to order based on a 1960s original. Avail...
Wrought Iron
Luigi Massoni ‘Dilly Dally’ Vanity Set in Cognac Leatherette
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, ‘Dilly Dally’ vanity set, leatherette, mirrored glass, plastic, brass, lacquered wood, metal, Italy, 1968 Outstanding Italian dressing table designe...
Metal, Brass
Zodiaco Charger
By Laboratorio Paravicini
Located in Milan, IT
This superb charger is part of the Zodiaco collection and, either alone or combined with other pieces from the same series, will give a precious accent to any table. Its colorful dec...
Ceramic
Blue Floral Painted Cupboard with Sunflowers
Located in Vo', Veneto
Alpine Blue Painted Wardrobe with Sunflowers Measurements: H. 183 cm - W. 128 (150 to the frames) cm - D. 55 (66 to the frames) cm Period: Late 18th century Origin: Bavarian Alps Wo...
Fir
$17,624
H 59.06 in W 37.41 in D 19.69 in
Rare Italian Liberty Style/Art Nouveau Commode with Painted Wood Inlays
Located in Milano, IT
Rare commode in the style of Louis Majorelle with front and sides inlaid in painted wood. Two doors on the front that hide a cabinet with open compartments and small drawers in light...
Wood
Beautiful Modern Ottoman in the Style of Josef Frank
By Josef Frank
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful Modern Ottoman in the style of Josef Frank, ottoman has four solid wood bun feet, fabric is by Robert Allen. Ready for a new home, excellent condition.One ottoman ready to ...
Cotton, Wood
Bathers, Oil on Canvas, 1914
By Roger Grillon
Located in Saint Amans des cots, FR
Oil on canvas by Roger GRILLON (1881-1938), France, 1914. "Bathers". With frame: 114x94 cm - 44.9x37 inches ; without frame: 92x73cm - 36.2x28.75 inches. 30F format. Signed lower lef...
Canvas, Oil
Umran Sink
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Introducing the Umran Sink—a signature piece from our inaugural stone collection, meticulously crafted in Afyon, Türkiye, a region renowned for its ancient stonework. Named in honor ...
Travertine, Marble
Moia Fireside Chair by RALPH M
Located in Geneve, CH
Moia Fireside Chair by RALPH M Dimensions: W 104.5 x D 106 x H 86 cm. Materials: Solid beech, Fabric. Details: Frame: Solid beech. Seat springing: Interlaced elastic webbing. Seat...
Fabric, Beech
While it isn’t always top of mind for some, antique and vintage tableware can enhance even the most informal meal. It has been an intimate part of how we’ve interacted with our food for millennia.
Tableware has played a basic but important role in everyday life. Ancient Egyptians used spoons (which are classified as flatware) made of ivory and wood, while Greeks and Romans, who gathered for banquets involving big meals and entertainment, ate with forks and knives. At the beginning of the 17th century, however, forks were still uncommon in American homes. Over time, tableware has thankfully evolved and today includes increasingly valuable implements.
Tableware refers to the tools people use to set the table, including serving pieces, dinner plates and more. It encompasses everything from the intricate and elaborate to the austere and functional, yet are all what industrial product designer Jasper Morrison might call “Super Normal” — anonymous objects that are too useful to be considered banal.
There are four general categories of tableware — serveware, dinnerware, drinkware and, lastly, flatware, which is commonly referred to as silverware or cutlery. Serveware includes serving bowls, platters, gravy boats, casserole pans and ladles. Most tableware is practical, but it can also be decorative. And decorative objects count as tableware too. Even though they don’t fit squarely into one of the four categories, vases, statues and floral arrangements are traditional centerpieces.
Drinkware appropriately refers to the vessels we use for our beverages — mugs, cups and glasses. There is a good deal of variety that falls under this broad term. For example, your cheerful home bar or mid-century modern bar cart might be outfitted with a full range of vintage barware, which might include pilsner glasses and tumblers. Specialty cocktails are often served in these custom glasses, but they’re still a type of drinkware.
Every meal should be special — even if you’re using earthenware or stoneware for a casual lunch — but perhaps you’re hosting a dinner party to mark a specific event. The right high-quality tableware can bring a touch of luxury to your cuisine. Young couples, for example, traditionally add “fine china,” or porcelain, to their wedding registry as a commemoration of their union and likely wouldn’t turn down exquisite silver made by Tiffany & Co. or Georg Jensen.
It’s important to remember, however, that when you’re setting the dining room table to have fun with it. Just as you might mix and match your dining chairs, don’t be afraid to mix new and old or high and low with your tableware. On 1stDibs, find an extraordinary range of vintage and antique tableware to help elevate your meal as well as the mood and atmosphere of your entire dining room.