Solid Silver Fork
20th Century Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
2010s American Classical Greek Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
People Also Browsed
Antique 1890s Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Silver
2010s Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s African Empire Loose Gemstones
Citrine
2010s African Artisan Loose Gemstones
Ruby
Antique 18th Century Italian Victorian More Jewelry
18k Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s African Artisan Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s African Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Rubelite, Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary African Modern Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
2010s African Artisan Loose Gemstones
Amethyst
2010s African Artisan Loose Gemstones
Blue Sapphire
2010s African Artisan Loose Gemstones
Blue Sapphire
Late 20th Century Bridal Rings
Diamond, Sapphire
20th Century Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
2010s African Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Amethyst
2010s African Artisan Loose Gemstones
Ruby
Recent Sales
Mid-20th Century American Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
French Jewelry & Watches
Sterling Silver
20th Century Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Victorian Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
20th Century Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Danish Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1920s Spanish Art Deco Flatware and Serving Pieces
Silver
Late 20th Century French Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century German Rococo Flatware and Serving Pieces
Silver
Early 2000s French Modern Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver, Silver
20th Century Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
20th Century Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
20th Century Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s American Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
French Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Danish Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel
Early 20th Century French Edwardian Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Edwardian Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Edwardian Jewelry & Watches
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Edwardian Jewelry & Watches
Sterling Silver
English Jewelry & Watches
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.
- What does solid silver mean?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Solid silver means that the percentage of the metal that is actually silver is 99%. This means that the purity of the metal is 99%, with the remaining 1% of the metal being a different metal.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A sterling silver spoon is mostly fine silver, but not quite solid silver. Sterling silver is an alloyed form of silver, and is 92.5% fine silver and 7.5% copper. You can shop a collection of authentic sterling silver items from some of the worlds top dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024To tell if silver is solid or plated, try holding a magnet near it. Solid silver is not magnetic, but the base metals used in silver plating often are. As a result, if the magnet sticks strongly, the piece likely features silver plating. Another way to determine the materials is to look for markings. On silver wares produced in the U.S., the markings “STER,” “925” or “.925” usually indicate solid silver, while “EP,” “EPNS,” “A1” and “AA” typically indicate silver plating. When in doubt, seek the opinion of a knowledgeable expert, such as a certified appraiser or experienced dealer. Find a variety of silver wares on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, sterling silver, no matter what its used to make, is not solid silver. In most countries, the sterling standard is 92.5% silver with an additive alloy, usually copper, making up the rest of the sterling silver. Sterling silver is harder than pure silver and much more useful as tableware. Shop a collection of sterling silver from some of the worlds top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 11, 2024No, Patek Philippe silver dials are not solid silver. The Swiss watchmaker’s dials are most frequently made of brass. The use of the word “silver” in describing a Patek Philippe silver-dial watch is intended to refer to its color, which usually owes to finishing that involves a galvanic painting or enameling process.
Find vintage Patek Philippe watches on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021How much a solid silver spoon is worth will depend upon what silver is worth per ounce at any given moment — likely between $22 and $25 per ounce — as well as other factors. With respect to sterling silver, what a sterling spoon is worth will depend on condition as well as rarity, age, design quality and more. Sterling silver spoons are sold for anywhere from $5 to $2,500. It’s a broad range! Find a collection of antique and vintage sterling spoons on 1stDibs today.