$8,858 / set
H 12 in W 18 in D 18 in
Florence Nightingale by Alvin Sterling Silver Flatware Set 68 Pcs S Monogram
By Alvin Silver Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Rare dinner and luncheon size Florence Nightingale by Alvin circa 1919 sterling silver Flatware set
Sterling Silver
Cellini by Alvin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 34 Pieces S Monogram
By Alvin Silver Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Cellini by Alvin sterling silver flatware set, 34 pieces. This set includes: Six dinner size knives
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in
Old Orange Blossom by Alvin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 55Pc B Monogram
By Alvin Silver Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Gorgeous dinner size Old Orange Blossom by Alvin sterling silver flatware set - 55 pieces. This set
Sterling Silver
$7,749 / set
H 0.1 in W 0.1 in D 0.1 in
Orleans by Watson Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service Dinner Size Rare
By Watson Silver
Located in Big Bend, WI
Beautiful Orleans by Watson sterling silver flatware set of dinner size 56 pieces. This scarce, circa 1915, pattern is a lost art in sterling flatware! This set includes: Eight dinn...
Sterling Silver
$5,975 / set
H 12 in W 18 in D 18 in
Trousseau by International Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 45 Pieces
By International Silver
Located in Big Bend, WI
Trousseau by International Sterling silver flatware set - 45 pieces. This set includes: 8 knives, 9 1/8" 8 forks, 7 1/4" 8 salad forks, 6 1/2" 8 teaspoons, 6" 8 cream soup spoons, ...
Sterling Silver
$7,306 / set
H 0.1 in W 0.1 in D 0.1 in
Angelique by International Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service, 55 Pieces
By International Silver
Located in Big Bend, WI
Stunning Angelique by International sterling silver flatware set, 55 pieces. This set includes: Eight knives, 9 1/4". Eight forks, 7 1/4". Eight salad forks, 6 5/8". Eight teaspoons...
Sterling Silver
$15,511 / set
H 0.1 in W 0.1 in D 0.1 in
Pointed Antique Engraved Dominick & Haff Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set
By Dominick and Haff Silver
Located in Big Bend, WI
Beautiful pointed antique engraved by Dominick & Haff huge dinner & luncheon sterling silver flatware set - 119 pieces. This set includes: 12 dinner size knives, 9 1/2". 12 dinner s...
Sterling Silver
$9,744 / set
H 0.1 in W 0.1 in D 0.1 in
Mademoiselle by International Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service 67 Pieces
By International Silver
Located in Big Bend, WI
Since 1898, International Silver has been taking great pride in crafting high quality sterling silver flatware. Classic and incredibly versatile, this timeless design will complement...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. San Lorenzo Silver Flatware Service, 248 Pieces
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New Orleans, LA
This extensive 248-piece sterling silver flatware service was crafted by the legendary Tiffany & Co. in the classic San Lorenzo pattern. Inspired by and named after the famous Fl...
Sterling Silver
$16,799 / set
H 0.1 in W 0.1 in D 0.1 in
Orchid by International Sterling Silver Flatware Dinner Service Set 120 Pieces
By International Silver
Located in Big Bend, WI
Orchid by International sterling silver flatware set - 120 pieces. This set includes: 12 dinner size knives, 9 1/2". 12 dinner size forks, 7 3/4". 12 knives, 8 3/4". 12 forks, 7 1/8...
Sterling Silver
$4,362 / set
H 0.1 in W 0.1 in D 0.1 in
Courtship by International Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service Luncheon 35 Pc
By International Silver
Located in Big Bend, WI
Courtship by international sterling silver flatware set of 35 pieces. This set includes: 8 KNIVES, 9 1/8", 8 FORKS, 7 1/4", 8 SALAD FORKS, 6 3/8", 8 TEASPOONS, 6", 1 SERVING SPOO...
Sterling Silver
$5,085 / set
H 12 in W 18 in D 18 in
Foxhall by Watson Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service for 8 - 43 Pieces
By Watson Silver
Located in Big Bend, WI
Foxhall by Watson sterling silver flatware set, 43 pieces. This set includes: Eight knives, 9". Eight forks, 7 1/8". Eight salad forks, 6 1/4". Eight teaspoons, 5 7/8". Eight hollow...
Sterling Silver
$8,759 / set
H 0.1 in W 0.1 in D 0.1 in
English Shell by Lunt Sterling Silver Flatware Service for 12 Set 68 Pieces
By Lunt Silver
Located in Big Bend, WI
Beautiful English Shell by Lunt sterling silver flatware set of 68 pieces. This set includes: 12 knives, 8 7/8". 12 forks, 7 1/4". 12 salad forks, 6 1/4". 12 teaspoons, 6". 12 cream...
Sterling Silver
$4,423 / set
H 12 in W 18 in D 18 in
Commonwealth Engraved by Watson Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 32 pcs Bow
By Watson Silver
Located in Big Bend, WI
Gorgeous Commonwealth Engraved by Watson, c1908, with bright-cut bow and leaf design sterling silver Flatware set, 32 pieces. This set includes: 8 Regular Knives, 8 7/8" 8 Regular F...
Sterling Silver
$7,871 / set
H 12 in W 18 in D 18 in
American Colonial by Amston Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service, 60 Pieces
By Amston Silver Co.
Located in Big Bend, WI
Stunning American Colonial by Amston sterling silver flatware set of 60 pieces. This set includes: 12 knives, 8 7/8" 12 forks, 7" 12 salad forks, 6 5/8" 12 teaspoons, 6" 12 cream so...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Flatware '5 Piece Setting Service for 24'
By Wallace Silversmiths
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This set of sterling silver flatware has 120 pieces, that’s service for 24 / 5 piece settings. Tailored and understated, the pattern is Classic. This set goes with any decor, and any...
Sterling Silver
$6,453 / set
H 0.1 in W 0.1 in D 0.1 in
French Colonial Engraved by Blackinton Sterling Silver Flatware Set 48 Pieces
By W&S Blackinton Co. 1
Located in Big Bend, WI
French Colonial Engraved by Blackinton sterling silver flatware set, 48 pieces. This set includes: 8 knives, 9" 8 forks, 7 1/4" 8 salad forks, 6 1/4" 8 teaspoons, 5 7/8" 8 cre...
Sterling Silver
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.