Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Danish Art Deco Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Metal
1970s American Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Victorian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century North American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 1900s American Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1860s British Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
1790s Antique Sterling Silver
Silver, Brass
1850s American Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1920s Austrian Vintage Sterling Silver
Gold, Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1930s American Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1980s Italian Baroque Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1930s Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1740s British George II Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sterling Silver
Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Regency Revival Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1890s American Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Scottish Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1870s Russian Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century German Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 20th Century English George IV Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1820s British Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Late 19th Century Russian Other Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1790s English George III Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s European Edwardian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver Plate
1910s British Arts and Crafts Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1830s Antique Sterling Silver
Malachite, Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century American Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1950s French Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver, Gold Plate
1890s French Belle Époque Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
20th Century American Modern Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American American Colonial Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver, Enamel
1950s Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
18th Century British George III Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Silver
Mid-20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Late Victorian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American American Classical Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1890s Indian Late Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1910s English Adam Style Vintage Sterling Silver
Multi-gemstone, Sterling Silver
1690s English Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Sterling Silver
Silver
1930s Italian Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1980s Italian Renaissance Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Danish Art Deco Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
1980s Italian Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
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.