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Tableware For Sale
Gorgeous Very Large Antique E Cooper & Sons Copper Pot
Gorgeous Very Large Antique E Cooper & Sons Copper Pot

Gorgeous Very Large Antique E Cooper & Sons Copper Pot

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Beautiful rare very large copper pot, fully functional but so gorgeous needs to be displayed! Iron handle extends 13.5 “; dovetailed and marvelous patina. Inside has been retinned...

Category

Early 1900s American Country Antique Tableware

Materials

Copper, Iron

Beaded Asprey English Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 124 Pcs Dinner Luxury
Beaded Asprey English Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 124 Pcs Dinner Luxury

Beaded Asprey English Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 124 Pcs Dinner Luxury

Located in Big Bend, WI

Asprey, founded in 1781 by William Asprey, was originally based in Mitcham, Surrey until the company moved into its current New Bond Street premises. From its central London location...

Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Arne Jacobsen for Anton Michelsen. Four demitasse spoons in stainless steel.
Arne Jacobsen for Anton Michelsen. Four demitasse spoons in stainless steel.

Arne Jacobsen for Anton Michelsen. Four demitasse spoons in stainless steel.

By Arne Jacobsen

Located in København, Copenhagen

Arne Jacobsen for Georg Jensen, set of four demitasse spoons. Set of four stainless steel demitasse spoons featuring Arne Jacobsens iconic minimalist design. Produced by Georg Jense...

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Arne Jacobsen for Anton Michelsen. Salad serving set in stainless steel.
Arne Jacobsen for Anton Michelsen. Salad serving set in stainless steel.

Arne Jacobsen for Anton Michelsen. Salad serving set in stainless steel.

By Arne Jacobsen

Located in København, Copenhagen

Arne Jacobsen for Georg Jensen, salad serving set. Elegant stainless steel salad serving set featuring Arne Jacobsens iconic minimalist design. Produced by Georg Jensen, marked, wit...

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Arne Jacobsen for Anton Michelsen. Set of six dinner forks in stainless steel.
Arne Jacobsen for Anton Michelsen. Set of six dinner forks in stainless steel.

Arne Jacobsen for Anton Michelsen. Set of six dinner forks in stainless steel.

By Arne Jacobsen

Located in København, Copenhagen

Arne Jacobsen for Anton Michelsen, set of six dinner forks. Set of six stainless steel dinner forks featuring Arne Jacobsens iconic minimalist design. Produced by Anton Michelsen, ...

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Arne Jacobsen for Anton Michelsen. Set of five dinner spoons in stainless steel.
Arne Jacobsen for Anton Michelsen. Set of five dinner spoons in stainless steel.

Arne Jacobsen for Anton Michelsen. Set of five dinner spoons in stainless steel.

By Arne Jacobsen

Located in København, Copenhagen

Arne Jacobsen for Anton Michelsen, set of five dinner spoons. Set of five stainless steel dinner spoons featuring Arne Jacobsens iconic minimalist design. Produced by Anton Michelse...

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Victorian Sterling Silver Goblet, London 1853, Floral Engraving
Victorian Sterling Silver Goblet, London 1853, Floral Engraving

Victorian Sterling Silver Goblet, London 1853, Floral Engraving

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian sterling silver goblet, an addition to our wine and drinks related silverware collection. This exceptional antique Victorian ...

Category

1850s English Victorian Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Set of Six Haviland Limoges Bread and Butter Plates, Bergère, 1958
Set of Six Haviland Limoges Bread and Butter Plates, Bergère, 1958

Set of Six Haviland Limoges Bread and Butter Plates, Bergère, 1958

Located in Coral Gables, FL

A beautiful Set of six Haviland Limoges porcelain bread and butter plates in the Bergère pattern, made in France and decorated with delicate pale blue floral sprays over a luminous w...

Category

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Contemporary Handmade Madagascan Vetiver Rectangular Place Mats
Contemporary Handmade Madagascan Vetiver Rectangular Place Mats

Contemporary Handmade Madagascan Vetiver Rectangular Place Mats

Located in Hook, Hampshire

Contemporary Handmade Madagascan Vetiver Rectangular Place Mats Contemporary Handmade Madagascan Vetiver Rectangular Place Mats. Handmade in Madagascar using Vetiver. Vetiver is trad...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Tableware

Materials

Other

French Art Nouveau Salt & Pepper Shakers, Facetted Crystal Glass from the 1920s
French Art Nouveau Salt & Pepper Shakers, Facetted Crystal Glass from the 1920s

French Art Nouveau Salt & Pepper Shakers, Facetted Crystal Glass from the 1920s

Located in Vienna, AT

A set of beautiful Art Nouveau salt and pepper shakers, made of facetted glass. Made in France in the 1920s, in excellent condition.

Category

1920s French Art Nouveau Vintage Tableware

Materials

Crystal

Pair of Mid-19th Century Austrian Silver Candlesticks
Pair of Mid-19th Century Austrian Silver Candlesticks

Pair of Mid-19th Century Austrian Silver Candlesticks

Located in Delft, NL

A pair of mid-19th century Austrian silver candlesticks An Austrian silver pair candlesticks with baluster columns on circular bases, floral borders and knobs Silver Austrian Hal...

Category

Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver

George & Martha by Westmorland Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service 42 Pieces
George & Martha by Westmorland Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service 42 Pieces

George & Martha by Westmorland Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service 42 Pieces

By Westmorland

Located in Big Bend, WI

8 Knives 8 3/4", 8 Forks 7", 8 Salad Forks 6", 8 Teaspoons 6", 8 Cream Soup Spoons 6", 1 Sugar Spoon 5 7/8", 1 Flat Handle Master Butter Knife 7" Includes bonus brand new st...

Category

1940s Vintage Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of 4 Napkin Rings in Pink Swirl Resin by Paola Valle
Set of 4 Napkin Rings in Pink Swirl Resin by Paola Valle

Set of 4 Napkin Rings in Pink Swirl Resin by Paola Valle

By Paola Valle

Located in Ciudad De México, MX

Our colourful, modern and playful resin napkin rings will be the perfect addition to your spring and summer tablescape. The set includes 4 napkin rings. Designed by Paola Valle ...

Category

2010s Mexican Modern Tableware

Materials

Resin

Piuma by Enzo Mari for Zani&Zani
Piuma by Enzo Mari for Zani&Zani

Piuma by Enzo Mari for Zani&Zani

By Enzo Mari, Zani & Zani 1

Located in Milano, IT

Enzo Mari Piuma Flatware Set, Italy, 1960s Rare Piuma flatware complet set, composed by six fork, six knives, six spoon, six tea spoon. Designed by Enzo Mari, one of the most influ...

Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Iron

21st Century Federico Peri Stilla Liquida Crystal Large 2-Tumblers Murano
21st Century Federico Peri Stilla Liquida Crystal Large 2-Tumblers Murano

21st Century Federico Peri Stilla Liquida Crystal Large 2-Tumblers Murano

By Federico Peri, Purho Murano

Located in Brembate di Sopra (BG), IT

Stilla, the Latin word for a drop of water. Liquid, transparent, perfect. Federico Peri designed the Stilla Liquida glasses for Purho in spring 2024, tumblers with textured surface...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware

Materials

Murano Glass

Hand-Painted Ceramic Dinner Plate - Dragonfly, Insect Collection
Hand-Painted Ceramic Dinner Plate - Dragonfly, Insect Collection

Hand-Painted Ceramic Dinner Plate - Dragonfly, Insect Collection

By Bertrando Di Renzo

Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT

Step into the charm of an English garden with our ceramic plates, hand-painted with the design of a dragonfly. Perfect as enchanting tableware to elevate your dining experience or as...

Category

2010s Italian Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

Extensive Silver-Plate Table Service by English Firm Elkington
Extensive Silver-Plate Table Service by English Firm Elkington

Extensive Silver-Plate Table Service by English Firm Elkington

By Elkington & Co.

Located in London, GB

Extensive silver plate table service by English firm Elkington English, circa 1850 Size: Chest height 48cm, width 87cm, depth 59cm Mirrored base: Height 5.5cm, width 90cm, depth 37cm Small desert...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

English Imari Style Assembled Partial Service, 36 Pieces, 19th Century
English Imari Style Assembled Partial Service, 36 Pieces, 19th Century

English Imari Style Assembled Partial Service, 36 Pieces, 19th Century

Located in Astoria, NY

English Imari Style Assembled Partial Ceramic Service, 19th century, various makers and comprising: six teacups, a teacup and saucer, probably 18th century, two cups and saucer, five...

Category

19th Century British Japonisme Antique Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

Coffee Set For 6 Guests, Raymond Loewy & Richard Latham, Rosenthal
Coffee Set For 6 Guests, Raymond Loewy & Richard Latham, Rosenthal

Coffee Set For 6 Guests, Raymond Loewy & Richard Latham, Rosenthal

By Raymond Loewy, Richard Latham, Rosenthal

Located in St Ouen, FR

Timeless elegance both of shape and pattern for this modernist line created in 1954 by Raymond Loewy and Richard Latham for the prestigious German manufacture. The particularly moder...

Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Table Barometer Weather Station Vienna Around, 1950s
Table Barometer Weather Station Vienna Around, 1950s

Table Barometer Weather Station Vienna Around, 1950s

Located in Wien, Au

Table Barometer Weather Station Vienna Around, 1950s Original condition

Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Metal, Brass

Exceptional Limoges porcelain fish service, circa 1895, 15 pieces
Exceptional Limoges porcelain fish service, circa 1895, 15 pieces

Exceptional Limoges porcelain fish service, circa 1895, 15 pieces

By Limoges

Located in Paris, FR

Limoges porcelain fish service with a scalloped border evoking a shell, framing hand-painted aquatic decoration. The whole is enhanced with rich gilding and raised gold forming a del...

Category

Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Tableware

Materials

Gold

Rare Bread Box with cut glass Vienna Around, 1920s
Rare Bread Box with cut glass Vienna Around, 1920s

Rare Bread Box with cut glass Vienna Around, 1920s

Located in Wien, Au

Rare Bread Box with cut glass Vienna Around, 1920s Brass polished Original cut glass

Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Tableware

Materials

Brass

New Modern Serving Tray in Marble Creator Matteo Cibic
New Modern Serving Tray in Marble Creator Matteo Cibic

New Modern Serving Tray in Marble Creator Matteo Cibic

By Matteo Cibic

Located in Milan, IT

Serving tray in black Marquinia, red Levanto and white Michelangelo marble. Size: 40 x 19 x 4 cm, 15.7 x 7.5 x 1.6 in, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Romeo, Homage Collection by...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Tableware

Materials

Marble

Parallel by Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service 60 pieces Dinner
Parallel by Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service 60 pieces Dinner

Parallel by Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service 60 pieces Dinner

By Georg Jensen

Located in Big Bend, WI

Georg Jensen Sterling Silver “Parallel” AKA “Relief” flatware. Designed by Oscar Gunlach-Pedersen, for Georg Jensen's Silversmithy 1931. Gunlach-Pedersen trained as a sculptor and ar...

Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

French Art Deco Cutlery, SCOF by Andre Verdier
French Art Deco Cutlery, SCOF by Andre Verdier

French Art Deco Cutlery, SCOF by Andre Verdier

By France Design S. A.

Located in Delft, NL

French Art Deco Cutlery, SCOF by Andre Verdier SCOF "Société de Coutellerie et d’Orfèvrerie Française" 44 pieces in Art Deco style Eight large knifes Eight large forks Seven sma...

Category

20th Century Art Deco Tableware

Materials

Metal

Fleurs Des Indes Coffee & Dessert Set For 6 Persons, Herend Hungary 20th Century
Fleurs Des Indes Coffee & Dessert Set For 6 Persons, Herend Hungary 20th Century

Fleurs Des Indes Coffee & Dessert Set For 6 Persons, Herend Hungary 20th Century

By Herend

Located in Vienna, AT

Herend service consisting of 21 parts: 1 coffee pot with lid, 1 milk jug, 1 sugar bowl, 6 cups, 6 saucers and 6 dessert plates. Shape: Osier / basket weave, model number 612 Decor: ...

Category

20th Century Hungarian Baroque Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Mother-of-Pearl and Silver Salt and Pepper Set with Spoons, 1970s
Vintage Mother-of-Pearl and Silver Salt and Pepper Set with Spoons, 1970s

Vintage Mother-of-Pearl and Silver Salt and Pepper Set with Spoons, 1970s

Located in PARIS, FR

This exquisite salt and pepper set, dating back to the 1970s, is a stunning combination of mother-of-pearl and silver craftsmanship. Each piece measures 10.5 cm and 11 cm in length, ...

Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Silver

Amber Depression Glass Cordial Set, Art Deco Style, 1930s, USA
Amber Depression Glass Cordial Set, Art Deco Style, 1930s, USA

Amber Depression Glass Cordial Set, Art Deco Style, 1930s, USA

Located in Coral Gables, FL

A beautiful amber Depression Glass cordial set dating to the 1930s, composed of a sculptural round pitcher and six matching footed glasses. The set h...

Category

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Glass

A Victorian Continental Silver Pepperette In The Form of An Owl With Glass Eyes
A Victorian Continental Silver Pepperette In The Form of An Owl With Glass Eyes

A Victorian Continental Silver Pepperette In The Form of An Owl With Glass Eyes

Located in Reading, Berkshire

A Continental Silver Pepper Peperette In The Form of An Owl With Glass Eyes. A lovely 19th century (Victorian era) German silver pepperette or pounce pot (used to contain fine sand ...

Category

Mid-19th Century German Aesthetic Movement Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver

Delafosse by Christofle France Silver Plate Flatware Set 12 Service 137 Pieces
Delafosse by Christofle France Silver Plate Flatware Set 12 Service 137 Pieces

Delafosse by Christofle France Silver Plate Flatware Set 12 Service 137 Pieces

By Christofle

Located in Big Bend, WI

Delafosse by Christofle silver plated flatware set of 137 pieces. This set includes: 12 dinner size knives, 9 3/4", 12 dinner size forks, 8 5/8", 12 luncheon knives (some blade we...

Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique 19thC French Solid Silver Salt And Pepper Mills, Odiot, Paris c.1880
Antique 19thC French Solid Silver Salt And Pepper Mills, Odiot, Paris c.1880

Antique 19thC French Solid Silver Salt And Pepper Mills, Odiot, Paris c.1880

By Maison Odiot Paris, Odiot

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Antique 19th Century French solid silver exceptional and highly unusual pair of pepper mills by the celebrated Parisian maker Odiot, executed to an extraordinary standard of craftsma...

Category

19th Century French Other Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver

Tulipe Tulip by Boulenger French 950 Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 135 pc
Tulipe Tulip by Boulenger French 950 Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 135 pc

Tulipe Tulip by Boulenger French 950 Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 135 pc

By Charles Boulenger

Located in Big Bend, WI

Tulipe is an exceptionally refined Art Nouveau pattern produced by Charles Boulenger & Cie. Featuring graceful flowing tulip blossoms, floral, and foliate motifs, this elegant design...

Category

20th Century French Art Nouveau Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Dinner set for 6  (12 pieces)  Hand Painted  Italian Faience Garofano Faenza
Dinner set for 6  (12 pieces)  Hand Painted  Italian Faience Garofano Faenza

Dinner set for 6 (12 pieces) Hand Painted Italian Faience Garofano Faenza

Located in London, GB

Hand painted dinner ware set with Garofano pattern (6 covers - 12 pieces: 6 soup bowls and 6 plates) hand-painted majolica from Faenza, Italy . Created and decorated entirely by hand by master craftsmen from Faenza, Italy. The set can be fully customised in terms of number of place settings and additional bespoke elements that can be added to complement the set: side dishes, serving plates, trays and many more. Faenza, located between the Adriatic Sea and Bologna, is known as the “City of Ceramics.” The term faience is a French version of the town’s name. Faience (majolica) production occurred in Faenza during the Middle Ages. In the 1500s, a week-long fair took place where local ceramic manufacturers set up stalls. Faenza majolica was highly regarded among the wealthy, many of whom commissioned ceramic mastesr to create pieces featuring heraldry, hunting, and mythological designs. During the Renaissance, Faenza became well known for its “beautiful lady” plates...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Renaissance Revival Tableware

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Bacchanalian English Sterling Silver Flatware Dessert Set 12 pieces Vermeil
Bacchanalian English Sterling Silver Flatware Dessert Set 12 pieces Vermeil

Bacchanalian English Sterling Silver Flatware Dessert Set 12 pieces Vermeil

Located in Big Bend, WI

Superb Bacchanalian (unknown maker) English vermeil lightly gold-washed figural multi-motif sterling silver flatware set, 12 pieces. This set includes: 4 Dessert Knives hollow handl...

Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Meissen Coffee Mocha & Dessert Set For 6 Persons 1001 Arabian Nights 25 Pieces
Meissen Coffee Mocha & Dessert Set For 6 Persons 1001 Arabian Nights 25 Pieces

Meissen Coffee Mocha & Dessert Set For 6 Persons 1001 Arabian Nights 25 Pieces

By Heinz Werner, Meissen Porcelain, Ludwig Zepner

Located in Vienna, AT

Meissen service, consisting of 25 pieces: 1 mocha pot with lid, 1 milk jug, 1 lidded sugar bowl, 1 small bowl, 1 tea caddy, 1 bottle for rose essence, 6 cups, 6 saucers, 6 dessert pl...

Category

1980s German Other Vintage Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Hermès Paris Toucan Porcelain Small Cup Bowl & Dish
Hermès Paris Toucan Porcelain Small Cup Bowl & Dish

Hermès Paris Toucan Porcelain Small Cup Bowl & Dish

By Hermès

Located in Forney, TX

Add a touch of whimsical elegance and sophistication at your next dinner party with these charming Hermès Paris table articles! Comprising a scarce diminutive handleless cup / bowl,...

Category

Late 20th Century French Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Lino Sabattini stainless steel six coasters .
Lino Sabattini stainless steel six coasters .

Lino Sabattini stainless steel six coasters .

By Lino Sabattini

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Nice collection of six Sabattini coasters in stainless steel. All marked with the standard Sabattini hallmark .

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Fabergé Silver Flatware Service
Fabergé Silver Flatware Service

Fabergé Silver Flatware Service

By Fabergé

Located in New Orleans, LA

This exceptional 77-piece complete service by Fabergé is a rare treasure from the world-renowned firm. Enclosed in its original oak chest, the exquisite service remains complete and in pristine condition—a feat given the rarity of Fabergé silver from this era. Featuring specialty items for an elaborate fish service, this flatware set is a testament to the unparalleled elegance of Fabergé. This exemplary set epitomizes the height of Fabergé silver craftsmanship, with each piece and its original fitted chest meticulously hallmarked with the Fabergé seal...

Category

19th Century Russian Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver

Gense, Sweden. Fish cutlery for six people. Stainless steel. Late 20th C.
Gense, Sweden. Fish cutlery for six people. Stainless steel. Late 20th C.

Gense, Sweden. Fish cutlery for six people. Stainless steel. Late 20th C.

Located in København, Copenhagen

Gense, Sweden. Fish cutlery for six people consisting of six knives and six forks. Stainless steel. Late 20th century. In perfect condition. Appears unused. Knife: L 20.0 cm. Fork: L...

Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vintage Silver-Plated Butterfly Knife Holder Set of Six Decorative Butter Knives
Vintage Silver-Plated Butterfly Knife Holder Set of Six Decorative Butter Knives

Vintage Silver-Plated Butterfly Knife Holder Set of Six Decorative Butter Knives

Located in Wembley, GB

Vintage Silver-Plated Butterfly Knife Holder Set with Six Butter Knives: Decorative Tableware afternoon tea / Breakfast table An elegant vintage silver-plated knife holder set featur...

Category

Early 1900s British Art Deco Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver, Other, Silver Leaf

Set of 6 colored leaves Napking rings
Set of 6 colored leaves Napking rings

Set of 6 colored leaves Napking rings

By Casarialto

Located in Milan, IT

Set of 6 Murano glass-colored leaves Napkin rings. Handcrafted in Venice. Colors include lime, gray, orange, light blue, and violet.

Category

2010s Italian Tableware

Materials

Glass

1924 René Lalique, Set of Tablewares Glasses Savergne Clear Glass, 34 Pieces
1924 René Lalique, Set of Tablewares Glasses Savergne Clear Glass, 34 Pieces

1924 René Lalique, Set of Tablewares Glasses Savergne Clear Glass, 34 Pieces

Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR

Set of tablewares glasses "Savergne" made in frosted glass created by René Lalique in 1924. Engraved signature under each piece. All pieces are in perfect condition. Set of 34...

Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Tableware

Materials

Art Glass

Vintage Midcentury Salt and Pepper Shakers by Ehrenreich of Denmark in Teak
Vintage Midcentury Salt and Pepper Shakers by Ehrenreich of Denmark in Teak

Vintage Midcentury Salt and Pepper Shakers by Ehrenreich of Denmark in Teak

By Hans Gustav Ehrenreich

Located in Søborg, DK

Vintage midcentury salt and pepper shakers by Ehrenreich of Denmark in teak. It was the late 1950s, and in Ehrenreich’s small workshop, there was no shortage of imagination. No two things were ever alike. Small silver fish were inlaid in hand-turned bowls...

Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Teak

1960 Nencioni Moleri Space Age design Zani Steel Flatware _ 75 pieces
1960 Nencioni Moleri Space Age design Zani Steel Flatware _ 75 pieces

1960 Nencioni Moleri Space Age design Zani Steel Flatware _ 75 pieces

By Zani, Nencioni & Moleri

Located in Brescia, IT

Cutlery Set Design Carla Nencioni, Armando Moleri Prod. Zani _ Design Line 1960s 12 Person Service + 3 Serving Flatware 75 Steel Pieces Complete with Original Box Excellent condit...

Category

1960s Italian Space Age Vintage Tableware

Materials

Steel

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.