Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1960s American Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century English Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1880s English Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
2010s Sterling Silver
Silver Plate
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1920s Russian Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1940s Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1930s American Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Unknown Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Scandinavian Modern Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1950s German Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver Plate, Stainless Steel
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Brass
Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century Gothic Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Late 19th Century German Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1760s British Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1820s English Georgian Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Rococo Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1910s European Art Nouveau Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1890s American Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1940s Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 1800s English George III Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1730s British George II Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1970s English Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1840s American Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Danish Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Enamel
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
19th Century Antique Sterling Silver
Cut Steel
1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Danish Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel
Early 20th Century French Sterling Silver
Opal, Tourmaline, Gold, Silver
1940s English Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Enamel
1890s British Late Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1970s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1940s Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century 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.