Sterling Silver
1910s German Neoclassical Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1830s Spanish Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Silver, Other
1780s English Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
19th Century Swiss Biedermeier Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
20th Century American Neoclassical Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1940s American American Classical Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1940s American American Classical Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1860s American Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Gold, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Sterling Silver
Vermeil, Silver
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Bronze, Vermeil, Silver
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1860s American Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Neoclassical Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1840s Italian Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century American American Classical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 18th Century Dutch Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1870s American American Classical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Sterling Silver
Silver
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Late 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Malachite, Silver
1790s English Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
19th Century Spanish Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
20th Century Neoclassical Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1820s Italian Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
19th Century German Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1820s Italian Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s Danish Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century American American Classical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century American American Classical Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1780s English Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1930s American American Classical Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s Austrian Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1820s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Austrian Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1790s English Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1840s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American American Classical Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1780s English Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1920s American Neoclassical Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 20th Century American American Classical Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century American American Classical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1820s Italian Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1870s Austrian Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1870s American Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century European Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
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.