Sterling Silver
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver, Enamel
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Blown Glass
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Dutch Sterling Silver
Silver
1970s Danish Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver Plate
1970s Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Scottish High Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1930s Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1830s British Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 18th Century Scottish George II Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1890s English Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
1960s American Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s American Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1920s Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century English Other Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
1880s American Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1830s English William IV Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1880s American Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1940s American Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1940s Danish Art Nouveau Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Victorian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
19th Century American High Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Sterling Silver
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1980s Italian Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
1890s English Regency Revival Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Art Deco Sterling Silver
Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1960s Northern Irish Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
20th Century American Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Early Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century American Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1960s English Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Danish Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1920s American Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1890s German Rococo Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Mid-20th Century American William and Mary Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Russian Sterling Silver
1930s Austrian Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1910s American Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Unknown Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1780s English George III Antique Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
1910s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Crystal, Sterling Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1910s English Adam Style Vintage Sterling Silver
Multi-gemstone, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Rococo Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1990s Mexican Modern 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.