Tableware
Early 20th Century Chinese Rustic Tableware
Wood
Late 20th Century French Tableware
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Regency Tableware
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century German Art Deco Tableware
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Tableware
Porcelain
1950s French Vintage Tableware
Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Tableware
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
1790s British Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Tableware
Glass
1980s Danish Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
2010s German Modern Tableware
Porcelain
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Stainless Steel
1960s Danish Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Porcelain
1960s Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Tableware
Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Porcelain
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tableware
Brass
2010s French Tableware
Porcelain
2010s Finnish Modern Tableware
Maple
18th Century British George II Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Danish Modern Tableware
Wood
2010s Italian Tableware
Sterling Silver
2010s French Tableware
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Stainless Steel
1970s Danish Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Argentine Modern Tableware
Steel
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Porcelain
2010s Brazilian Modern Tableware
Bronze
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Porcelain
2010s Italian Tableware
Porcelain
Late 19th Century German Antique Tableware
Porcelain
2010s Italian Tableware
Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Tableware
Porcelain
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Gold
1970s Danish Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
2010s French Modern Tableware
Porcelain
2010s French Modern Tableware
Porcelain
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
Blown Glass
1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Silver
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Country Tableware
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Deco Tableware
Porcelain
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Silver Plate
1850s British Victorian Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Italian Modern Tableware
Glass
Early 2000s Italian Modern Tableware
Glass
2010s French Minimalist Tableware
Wood, Ash, Chestnut, Fruitwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tableware
Resin
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Stoneware
2010s Mexican Modern Tableware
Yarn, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Tableware
Sterling Silver
2010s German Modern Tableware
Porcelain
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.