Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
19th Century Chinese Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century European Neoclassical Revival Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1980s Italian Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1950s Danish Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s American Art Deco Antique Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century French Sterling Silver
Silver
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver Plate
1940s Danish Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Late Victorian Sterling Silver
Crystal, Silver
1860s British Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1850s Austrian Georgian Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1920s American Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Modern Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1890s American Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1950s American Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Belgian Sterling Silver
Crystal, Wrought Iron
1970s Italian Baroque Vintage Sterling Silver
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century French Modern Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
2010s Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Sterling Silver
Crystal, Silver
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1890s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1980s Italian Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century American American Classical Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century French Sterling Silver
Silver
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Gold, Sterling Silver
1950s American Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Victorian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-18th Century English Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1960s Italian Louis XVI Vintage Sterling Silver
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1910s English Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Sterling Silver
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.