Wooden Cutlery
Antique 1820s Italian Gothic Revival Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Silver
Vintage 1960s British Modern Flatware and Serving Pieces
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
2010s British Barware
Sterling Silver
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2010s Hong Kong Contemporary More Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique 1880s Link Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Vintage 1960s French Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Platinum
2010s Hong Kong Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches
18k Gold
20th Century Wrist Watches
Gold
20th Century Wrist Watches
Yellow Gold
2010s British Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Italian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
2010s American Pendant Necklaces
Diamond
Vintage 1960s American Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique Early 19th Century Brooches
Diamond
2010s British Contemporary Barware
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold, Platinum
Recent Sales
Vintage 1920s British George V Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
Wooden Cutlery For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Wooden Cutlery?
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.
- Is wooden cutlery eco friendly?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021Yes, wooden cutlery is eco-friendly because it’s compostable and can be made without the use of any chemicals or environmentally harmful methods.