Tableware
20th Century American American Classical Tableware
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Resin, Plastic
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Metal
Mid-20th Century Austrian Bauhaus Tableware
Stainless Steel
20th Century English Hollywood Regency Tableware
Porcelain
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Metal, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Carrara Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Japanese American Classical Tableware
Ceramic
2010s French Tableware
Porcelain
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Ceramic
18th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Tableware
Faience
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Tableware
Metal
18th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Tableware
Earthenware
20th Century American Victorian Tableware
Ceramic
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Blown Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Tableware
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Tableware
Porcelain
Early 2000s Italian Modern Tableware
Glass
Early 2000s Italian Modern Tableware
Glass
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Marble
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Metal
Early 20th Century German Tableware
Porcelain
2010s Italian Tableware
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Iron
1950s German Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Fabric
Early 20th Century German Tableware
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Porcelain
1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Danish Tableware
Porcelain
1890s French Art Deco Antique Tableware
Crystal
2010s Tableware
Copper, Enamel
Late 20th Century British Colonial Tableware
Porcelain
1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary English Tableware
Ceramic
1970s Danish Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary English Tableware
Ceramic
1970s German Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
2010s American Modern Tableware
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Tableware
Art Glass, Murrine, Murano Glass, Blown Glass
1960s Belgian Vintage Tableware
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century English Tableware
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary English Tableware
Ceramic
Early 20th Century British Victorian Tableware
Ceramic
20th Century English International Style Tableware
Ceramic
20th Century Japanese Tableware
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary English Tableware
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Danish Tableware
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary English Tableware
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Tableware
Porcelain
2010s European Modern Tableware
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary English Tableware
Ceramic
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.