Tableware
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Porcelain
1990s German Tableware
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century English Tableware
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tableware
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Brass
Early 20th Century English Late Victorian Tableware
Silver Plate
1980s Dutch Modern Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
18th Century English Georgian Antique Tableware
Silver
2010s Italian Tableware
Ceramic
1920s Scottish Vintage Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Belle Époque Tableware
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Plastic
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
1980s Dutch Modern Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
1920s Danish Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Tableware
Cotton, Linen, Thread
1950s Danish Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Tableware
Ceramic
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Porcelain
1960s Spanish Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Silver Plate
2010s Italian Tableware
Ceramic
2010s Italian Other Tableware
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Regency Tableware
Silver Plate
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Stainless Steel
1890s English Victorian Antique Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tableware
Stainless Steel
2010s South American Tableware
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Silver Plate
19th Century French Antique Tableware
Porcelain
20th Century American Folk Art Tableware
Shell
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Blown Glass
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Ceramic
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Plastic, Leather
1960s Danish Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
2010s Italian Other Tableware
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tableware
Resin
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Stainless Steel
20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
Early 1800s Dutch Antique Tableware
Silver
1990s Italian Tableware
Porcelain
1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Stainless Steel
1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
2010s Italian Tableware
Porcelain
Early 2000s British Tableware
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Glass, Leather
19th Century French Antique Tableware
Porcelain
20th Century Portuguese American Classical Tableware
Ceramic
2010s Italian Tableware
Porcelain
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Tableware
Porcelain
20th Century Tableware
Silver
2010s Tableware
Ceramic, Terracotta
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
2010s Australian Tableware
Aluminum
Antique and Vintage Tableware
While it isn’t always top of mind for some, antique and vintage tableware can enhance even the most informal meal. It has been an intimate part of how we’ve interacted with our food for millennia.
Tableware has played a basic but important role in everyday life. Ancient Egyptians used spoons (which are classified as flatware) made of ivory and wood, while Greeks and Romans, who gathered for banquets involving big meals and entertainment, ate with forks and knives. At the beginning of the 17th century, however, forks were still uncommon in American homes. Over time, tableware has thankfully evolved and today includes increasingly valuable implements.
Tableware refers to the tools people use to set the table, including serving pieces, dinner plates and more. It encompasses everything from the intricate and elaborate to the austere and functional, yet are all what industrial product designer Jasper Morrison might call “Super Normal” — anonymous objects that are too useful to be considered banal.
There are four general categories of tableware — serveware, dinnerware, drinkware and, lastly, flatware, which is commonly referred to as silverware or cutlery. Serveware includes serving bowls, platters, gravy boats, casserole pans and ladles. Most tableware is practical, but it can also be decorative. And decorative objects count as tableware too. Even though they don’t fit squarely into one of the four categories, vases, statues and floral arrangements are traditional centerpieces.
Drinkware appropriately refers to the vessels we use for our beverages — mugs, cups and glasses. There is a good deal of variety that falls under this broad term. For example, your cheerful home bar or mid-century modern bar cart might be outfitted with a full range of vintage barware, which might include pilsner glasses and tumblers. Specialty cocktails are often served in these custom glasses, but they’re still a type of drinkware.
Every meal should be special — even if you’re using earthenware or stoneware for a casual lunch — but perhaps you’re hosting a dinner party to mark a specific event. The right high-quality tableware can bring a touch of luxury to your cuisine. Young couples, for example, traditionally add “fine china,” or porcelain, to their wedding registry as a commemoration of their union and likely wouldn’t turn down exquisite silver made by Tiffany & Co. or Georg Jensen.
It’s important to remember, however, that when you’re setting the dining room table to have fun with it. Just as you might mix and match your dining chairs, don’t be afraid to mix new and old or high and low with your tableware. On 1stDibs, find an extraordinary range of vintage and antique tableware to help elevate your meal as well as the mood and atmosphere of your entire dining room.