Sterling Silver
20th Century French Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century French Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1880s American Late Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1930s Danish Art Nouveau Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1950s Mexican Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1920s English Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1970s Danish Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver Plate
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Baroque Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Danish Art Deco Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1790s English George III Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1970s Italian Baroque Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1850s English Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1910s English Other Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Multi-gemstone, Marble, Griotte Marble, Metal, Gold Plate, Silver, Brass
1870s English Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century European Antique Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
1910s Danish Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel
20th Century English Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1890s American Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Crystal, Sterling Silver, Enamel
20th Century English Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1950s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
1970s Italian Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 1900s American Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Victorian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Late 19th Century English Edwardian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 18th Century Scottish George II Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 2000s English Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1980s English Other Vintage Sterling Silver
Vermeil, Sterling Silver
1890s English Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1930s Unknown Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1910s English Art Nouveau Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 18th Century German Antique Sterling Silver
Gold Plate, Silver
1980s American Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1870s American Beaux Arts Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Danish Art Deco Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Danish Art Deco Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1740s English George II Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Silver
Early 20th Century Mexican Art Deco Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1960s Italian Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
1910s English Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
1950s English Edwardian Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1870s British Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1910s American Edwardian Vintage Sterling Silver
Crystal, Sterling Silver
1990s Other Sterling Silver
Silver
1930s French Art Deco Vintage 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.