Dessert Service Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Sterling Silver
Silver, Brass, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s English Victorian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century English Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century French Sterling Silver
Vermeil, Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
Antique 1840s English Tableware
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique 1890s English More Dining and Entertaining
Sterling Silver
20th Century French Art Nouveau Tableware
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Sheffield and Silverplate
Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
Antique 1870s English Sterling Silver
Silver
Antique 1880s French Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Gold
Antique 1870s English Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1910s British Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1910s British Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver, Brass
Vintage 1920s English Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique 1820s English George IV Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Antique 1850s English Victorian Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1910s British Sheffield and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Tableware
Sterling Silver
Antique 1890s English Victorian Tableware
Sterling Silver
20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1910s English Belle Époque Tableware
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique 1850s British Victorian Tableware
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Other Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique 1870s British Victorian Serving Pieces
Silver
Antique 1890s English Victorian Tableware
Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Tableware
Antique Early 1800s English George III Tableware
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1910s English Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1920s English Other Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Tableware
Silver
Vintage 1920s English Tableware
Silver
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Sheffield and Silverplate
Silver Plate, Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel
Antique 1890s French Baroque Tableware
Sterling Silver
Dessert Service Sterling Silver For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Dessert Service Sterling Silver?
Finding the Right Sterling-silver for You
Dining and entertaining changed drastically when we began to set our tables with sterling silver for holiday gatherings, wedding receptions, engagement parties and, in some of today’s homes, everyday meals.
Often called the “Queen of metals,” silver has been universally adored for thousands of years. It is easy to see why it has always been sought after: It is durable, strong and beautiful. (Louis XIV had tables made entirely of silver.) Sterling silver is an alloy that is made of 92.5 percent silver — the “925” stamp that identifies sterling-silver jewelry refers to this number. The other 7.5 percent in sterling silver is typically sourced from copper.
Neoclassical-style sterling-silver goods in Europe gained popularity in the late 18th century — a taste for sterling-silver tableware as well as tea sets had taken shape — while in the United States, beginning in the 19th century, preparing the dinner table with sterling-silver flatware had become somewhat of a standard practice. Indeed, owning lots of silver goods during the Victorian era was a big deal. Back then, displaying fine silver at home was a status symbol for middle-class American families. And this domestic silver craze meant great profitability for legendary silversmith manufacturers such as Reed & Barton, Gorham Manufacturing Company and the International Silver Company, which was incorporated in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1898, a major hub of silver manufacturing nicknamed “Silver City.”
Today, special occasions might call for ceremonial silver designed by Tiffany & Co. or the seductive sterling-silver cutlery from remarkable Danish silversmith Georg Jensen, but there really doesn’t have to be an event on the calendar to trot out your finest tableware.
Event- and wedding-planning company maestro Tara Guérard says that some “investment pieces,” such as this widely enamored alloy, should see everyday use, and we’re inclined to agree.
“Sterling-silver flatware is a must-have that you can use every single day, even to eat cereal,” she says. “Personally, I want a sterling-silver goblet set for 12 to 20; I would use them every time I had a dinner party. Ultimately, there are no criteria for buying vintage pieces: Buy what you love, and make it work.”
Whether you’re thinking “ceremonial” or “cereal,” browse a versatile collection of vintage, new and antique sterling-silver wares on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021The value of a sterling silver tea service is based on its age, maker, and the pieces included. A sterling set can start at $1,000 but the value can be a wide range. If it is sterling, it will typically have a hallmark of .925. This demonstrates that the piece is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper alloy. Simply put, the more pieces you have in the set, the more it will be worth. Find a collection of antique and vintage sterling silver tea service on 1stDibs today.
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