Sterling Silver
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1970s Italian Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1850s British Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1890s British Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1980s English Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1910s English Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
1940s Danish Hollywood Regency Vintage Sterling Silver
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
1930s Danish Rococo Revival Vintage Sterling Silver
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
19th Century Austrian Renaissance Revival Antique Sterling Silver
Agate, Silver, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1960s British Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
20th Century Danish Art Deco Sterling Silver
Silver
1970s Portuguese Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1930s English Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1810s British Georgian Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s British Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 20th Century French Victorian Sterling Silver
Silver
1930s American Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Victorian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Victorian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
1890s British Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century German Edwardian Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 1900s British Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Late 20th Century British Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Victorian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Victorian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1780s English George III Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1840s British Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
2010s Italian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 1700s English William and Mary Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1810s British Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1890s Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1880s French Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1930s North American Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1980s Italian Other Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 20th Century British Victorian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1770s English George III Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
19th Century English Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1810s European George III Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century British Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1790s English George III Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
18th Century and Earlier English Antique Sterling Silver
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
1980s Italian Greek Revival Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1920s American Art Nouveau Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1940s British Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1780s English George III Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
1920s German Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage, New and Antique Sterling Silver
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.