Sterling Silver
1890s Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Dutch Sterling Silver
Silver
20th Century Danish Art Deco Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 2000s European Modern Sterling Silver
Silver
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Silver
1840s British Early Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1980s Italian Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1970s Italian Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 1800s British George III Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Sterling Silver
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
1980s Italian Rococo Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s British Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Crystal, Sterling Silver
17th Century English Other Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Mexican Neoclassical Revival Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1730s English George II Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Renaissance Revival Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1790s English George III Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Sterling Silver
Silver
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1910s English Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
1920s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Victorian Sterling Silver
Crystal, Sterling Silver
1750s English George II Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1920s English Egyptian Revival Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Gold
20th Century French Adirondack Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1980s Italian Empire Vintage Sterling Silver
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 1900s English Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century European Modern Sterling Silver
Quartz, Sterling Silver
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
1910s English Other Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
20th Century Art Deco Sterling Silver
Silver, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
Early 1800s English George III Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Argentine Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 2000s Italian Georgian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
16th Century English Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Sterling Silver
Metal, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Danish Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Enamel
1940s Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century American Antique Sterling Silver
Silver, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Silver Plate
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Israeli Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1940s American Vintage 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.