Tableware
2010s American Organic Modern Tableware
Ceramic, Stoneware
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Silver Plate
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Tableware
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tableware
Resin
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Tableware
Porcelain
20th Century Luxembourgish Hollywood Regency Tableware
Porcelain
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Blown Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Tableware
Porcelain
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Blown Glass
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Blown Glass, Cork
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Tableware
Porcelain
20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
1990s French Tableware
Silver Plate
20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Tableware
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Tableware
Porcelain
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Ceramic, Teak
1860s British Victorian Antique Tableware
Copper
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Tableware
Wood
1880s British Victorian Antique Tableware
Mahogany
19th Century English Antique Tableware
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tableware
Resin
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
18th Century English William IV Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Pewter
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Marble, Carrara Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Renaissance Revival Tableware
Majolica, Faience, Ceramic
1940s British Vintage Tableware
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Organic Modern Tableware
Stoneware
2010s Chinese Modern Tableware
Metal, Aluminum
2010s Chinese Modern Tableware
Aluminum, Metal
2010s Italian Tableware
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Blown Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Tableware
Porcelain
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Art Glass
1970s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century French Tableware
Pewter
1870s American American Classical Antique Tableware
Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Tableware
Ceramic
1970s Italian Vintage Tableware
Ceramic
1970s Italian Vintage Tableware
Ceramic
1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
1970s Italian Vintage Tableware
Ceramic
2010s North American Tableware
Cotton
Mid-20th Century American Tableware
Porcelain
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tableware
Porcelain
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Metal, Chrome
Late 20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Tableware
Crystal
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Tableware
Oak
20th Century Tableware
Stainless Steel
20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
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.