Tableware
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Tableware
Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Other Tableware
Fruitwood
1960s Vintage Tableware
Ceramic
2010s Tableware
Travertine
Early 20th Century German Tableware
Crystal, Silver
Early 20th Century Dutch Tableware
Silver
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Tableware
Oak
Mid-20th Century British Tableware
Porcelain
1930s American Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Tableware
Marble
19th Century English Antique Tableware
Brass
1880s French Country Antique Tableware
Copper, Iron
Late 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Tableware
Ormolu
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Silver Plate
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Tableware
Silver Plate
1860s British Victorian Antique Tableware
Copper
1880s British Victorian Antique Tableware
Mahogany
18th Century English William IV Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
2010s Dutch Modern Tableware
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Tableware
Art Glass, Murrine, Murano Glass, Blown Glass
20th Century French Tableware
Ceramic, Majolica
2010s Palestinian Modern Tableware
Blown Glass
2010s Italian Tableware
Ceramic
2010s American Organic Modern Tableware
Ceramic, Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tableware
Resin
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Quartz
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Murano Glass
Early 2000s Korean Modern Tableware
Stainless Steel
2010s Chinese Modern Tableware
Aluminum, Metal
2010s Chinese Modern Tableware
Aluminum, Metal
Early 2000s Italian Modern Tableware
Glass
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Blown Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Tableware
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Tableware
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Tableware
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Tableware
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Tableware
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Brass
2010s Italian Tableware
Ceramic
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Marble
1980s Swedish Vintage Tableware
Silver Plate, Brass
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Silver Plate
2010s European Tableware
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Wood
20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Brass, Gold Plate
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Gold Plate, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Marble
Antique and Vintage Tableware
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.