Skip to main content

Tableware

to
663
7,136
1,288
111
5,904
4,569
1,460
4,264
4,000
4,846
1,067
8,535
7,784
8,427
Tableware For Sale
Seltmann Weiden Goldplated White Porcelain Dinnerware, Set of 82 Pieces
Located in Miami, FL
Offered are 82 pieces of the gold-plated rimmed porcelain "Annabell" pattern of Seltmann Weiden dinnerware. 18 Dinner Plates: 9.5" Diameter, 1" High 12 Butter Dishes: 2.325" Diame...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Beaux Arts Tableware

Materials

Gold Plate

Tray Hand Carved from Solid Block of White Marble, Rectangular, Made in Italy
Located in Ancona, Marche
Tray or serving plates carved by hand from a solid block of white Calacatta marble. Tray dimensions: L 40, W 29.5, H 2 cm, available in different marbles and onyx. Marble is a natur...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware

Materials

Marble

New Modern Bowl in Red Levanto Marble creator Cristoforo Trapani Stock
Located in Milan, IT
From stellar kitchens to the table. The memory bowl is an ancestral reminder, a symbol of the vital relationship between people and food. As necessary as i...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Tableware

Materials

Marble

Albi by Christofle France Silverplate Flatware Service for 12 Set 98 pieces
Located in Big Bend, WI
With a dedication to perfection and quality, Christofle flatware creations unite craftsmanship and modern technique, resulting in flatware to be handed down through generations. Th...
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sailor and Siren Ceramic Salt and Pepper Shakers by Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical pair of sailor and siren ceramic salt and pepper shakers by Jonathan Adler, circa 2000s. The set is in very good condition w...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

French First Empire Silver Coffee Pot, 1810
Located in Torino, IT
A very good quality French Empire Egyptian taste 950/°°° silver coffee pot, Paris 1819. Oviform body supported on three claw feet ornamented wit...
Category

19th Century French Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver

Japanese Meiji Era Cloisonne Enamel Napking Ring
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji Era copper and enamel napkin ring. circa: late 19th century to early 20th century. The ware is enameled with polychrome floral, and foliage patterns made in...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Tableware

Materials

Copper, Enamel

New Modern Centrepiece in Green Guatemala Marble Creator Ivan Colominas STOCK
Located in Milan, IT
Sculptural, bright white, well-defined and multi-fold. Colominas has created a table service inspired by Angelo Mangiarotti’s soft lines, exalting the shape and structure of objects ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Tableware

Materials

Marble

Vintage Sterling Silver Cutlery Set for Twelve Persons
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, comprehensive vintage Elizabeth II English sterling silver straight Bright Cut Old English pattern canteen of cutlery for twelve persons; an addition to our silver flatware set...
Category

1970s British Vintage Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Debussy by Towle Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service, 67 Pieces
Located in Big Bend, WI
Beautiful Debussy by Towle sterling silver flatware set of 67 pieces. This set includes: 12 knives, 9". 12 forks, 7 1/2". 12 salad forks, 6 1/2". 12 ...
Category

1950s Vintage Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Rock Handmade Ceramic Coffee Mugs - Set of 2 - Black & White Splatterware
Located in Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, AR
Beautifully handmade ceramic mugs designed to enhance the lovely experience of drinking well-made coffee. Beautiful to look at and highly functional, each handmade pottery mug is in...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Tableware

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery, Clay

33 Pc. Set of Lenox Venture Stemware in Black with Platinum Trim Ca 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional large set of stemware by noted maker Lenox, in the Venture pattern. The glasses are black glass with platinum band trim at the top rim. The set consists of three sizes as...
Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Tableware

Materials

Glass

Antique Georgian Paul Storr Silver & Glass Cruet Stand Condiment Set 1798
Located in London, GB
A magnificent Antique George III Sterling Silver Cruet Stand with a set of 8 Silver & Cut Glass Condiment Containers. This Large Antique Silver Condiment Stand includes a pair of Mustard Pots, and Pair of Oil & Vinegar Bottles and 4 smaller condiment bottles. There is a small crest engraved on the stand and on the bottles. Made in London, England in 1798 by Paul Storr. Approx. Weight (Stand Only) - 1142g / 36.7oz Approx. Length Stand - 39.6cm Approx. Width Stand - 21cm Approx. Height Stand - 28.5cm Approx. Height Oil & Vinegar - 20.6cm This Paul Storr Cruet Stand has Full English Hallmarks on the base and is part marked on the handle. Each Condiment Jar has hallmarks. This Antique Georgian Silver Cruet Set...
Category

18th Century English Georgian Antique Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Ibis by Boda Nova Stainless Steel Flatware set 19 pcs Modern IN BOOK Modern
Located in Big Bend, WI
Ibis by Boda Nova An example of this pattern is pictured in the hardcover book “Flatware that's not flat: Design and Production of innovative Table cutlery, 1890-2015” By William P....
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Spanish Silver Salt and Pepper Shakers in the Shape of Chicks, 1940s
Located in Delft, NL
Spanish Silver salt and pepper shakers in the shape of chicks, 1940s Lovely chicks with their green eyes as shakers for salt and pepper The tail of the chicks has a screw thread,...
Category

20th Century Spanish Tableware

Materials

Silver

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

Art Deco Style Sterling Silver Canteen of Cutlery for Eight Persons
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive vintage Elizabeth II English sterling silver flatware service for eight persons; an addition to our canteen of cutlery collection. The pieces of this exceptional vintage Elizabeth II straight sterling silver flatware set for eight persons have been crafted in the Glamis pattern. The plain tapering surface of each handle is embellished with a convex ribbed design to the terminal. This 20th century silver flatware set consists of 76 pieces: Basic service: 8 table knives 8 table forks 8 table spoons 8 soup spoons 8 salad forks 8 dessert knives 8 dessert forks 8 dessert spoons 8 teaspoons Additional pieces: 4 Serving spoons The fundamental components of this vintage service have been crafted by the Sheffield silversmiths Cooper Brothers & Sons Ltd in 1956, apart from the table and dessert knives, which are replacements***. This impressive vintage sterling silver canteen is supplied in felt cutlery rolls; which not only protect the items in storage but significantly reduce tarnishing. "Straight" means all the pieces are made by the same maker in the same year. Glamis pattern is a private design made by Copper Brothers & Sons Ltd. Predominately all vintage silver canteens...
Category

1950s British Art Deco Vintage Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Gio Ponti, Krupp Milan Branded Set of Twelve Pieces of Cutlery
Located in Milano, IT
Silver-plated metal cutlery set designed by Gio Ponti for Manifattura Krupp Milan. The set has a total of 48 pieces and is composed as follows: Twelve three-pronged forks, twelve tal...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Metal

Hester Bateman, George III, Antique Sterling Silver Tankard, London 1790
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1790 by Hester Bateman, this handsome, George III, Antique Sterling Silver Tankard, is in traditional form, wit...
Category

1790s English George III Antique Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Han Bai Yu Stone Elevated Tray by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited Edition
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stone elevated tray Han Bai Yu stone (White Marble) Hand carved Limited edition Each individual stone vary in inclusions and color. Each piece is ind...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Minimalist Tableware

Materials

Stone

Vintage Swan Napkin Rings, Set of Ten, Silver Plate Nickel Germany 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of ten silver plated napkin rings, circa 1970s, made by unknown company. A nice set of round rings, in the style of the Art Nouveau era. All of them with a nice patina. Can be ...
Category

20th Century German Art Nouveau Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate, Nickel

Group Vintage Copper Sauce And Saute Pans
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Two unmarked saute pans with lids (worn inside) Diam. 8", H. 2 1/4" without the lids, and a French sauce pan (worn inside) Diam. 7", H. 4" (no lid) stamped Bazar Francais...
Category

20th Century French French Provincial Tableware

Materials

Brass, Copper, Tin

Pewter Sugar Jar and Creamer by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
Located in Værløse, DK
Elegant set of Pewter Sugar Jar & Creamer made by Just Andersen in the 1930s. * Set (2) of pewter sugar jar and creamer with lugs and round chasings at the bottom * Designer: Just ...
Category

1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Tableware

Materials

Pewter

Brahms by Oneida Stainless Steel Flatware Set for 12 Service 68 pieces
Located in Big Bend, WI
Brahms by Oneida estate Stainless Steel Flatware set, 68 pieces. This set includes: 12 Dinner Knives, 9 1/4" 12 Forks, 7 1/2" 12 Salad Forks, 7" 12 Teaspoons, 6" 12 Place Soup Spoon...
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

English Victorian Silver Plate Tray
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian round silver-plate tray with a beaded edge and a floral and scroll etched surface
Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Tableware

Kopenhagen Gold by Wmf 800 Silver Flatware Service 12 Dinner Set 178 pcs Modern
Located in Big Bend, WI
Monumental Kopenhagen Vermeil by WMF 800 German silver (completely gold-washed) flatware set - 178 pieces. This set has a clean modern design. This set include...
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Art Deco Chrome and Macassar Chopstick Knife Rests, 12 Pieces in Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
Enhance your dining experience with this exquisite Art Deco service, a remarkable collection of twelve knife or chopstick rests masterfully designed in chrome and Macassar wood. Meti...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Tableware

Materials

Chrome

Fiore Pasta Bowl in Cream (Set of Four)
Located in London, GB
A warm, charming tabletop collection featuring our blue flower, a motif typical of Southern Italian ceramics. Handmade by our talented artisans, stock your kitchen with the full col...
Category

2010s Italian Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Pfaltzgraff Pottery Lidded Onion Soup Au Gratin Casseroles, Set/6
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of six Mid-Century earthenware Onion Soup au Gratins, The Pfaltzgraff Pottery Company, circa 1950-1960. Six oven proof individual casseroles with s...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stoneware

Tiffany & Co. San Lorenzo Silver Flatware Service, 248 Pieces
Located in New Orleans, LA
This extensive 248-piece sterling silver flatware service was crafted by the legendary Tiffany & Co. in the classic San Lorenzo pattern. Inspired by and named after the famous Florentine Church of San Lorenzo, the motif displays a highly architectural design that is typical of the Renaissance Revival style. From the fine piercing to the gilt accents, the care and attention given to the crafting of each piece embodies Tiffany's commitment to extraordinary craftsmanship. The complete service for 12 is housed in its two-tiered, custom-fitted Tiffany & Co. chest. The silver flatware of Tiffany & Co. is among the finest in the world, as well as the most enduring. Each hand-finished piece incorporates the timeless designs and quality craftsmanship that makes Tiffany one of the world's leading silversmiths. Since their first international recognition at the 1867 Paris World's Fair, Tiffany has supplied silver to numerous royal families throughout Europe, as well as elite American families including the Astors and Vanderbilts. Each piece is marked "Tiffany & Co. Sterling Pat. 1916" with the date letter "m" for the directorship of John C. Moore, which dates this service between 1907 and 1947. Chest: 23 1/2" wide x 19 1/4" deep x 6 1/4" high This service comprises: 12 entree knives 12 luncheon knives 12 dessert knives 12 entree forks 12 salad forks 12 oyster forks 12 luncheon forks 12 fish forks 12 ice cream forks 24 teaspoons 12 tablespoons 12 gumbo spoons 12 cream / bouillon spoons 12 demitasse spoons 12 salt cellar spoons...
Category

Early 20th Century American Renaissance Revival Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Afterglow by Oneida Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 18 Service 94 Pieces Huge!
Located in Big Bend, WI
18 knives, 8 3/4". 18 forks, 7 1/8". 18 salad forks, 6 7/8". 18 teaspoons, 6". 18 cream soup spoons, 6 1/2". One gravy ladle, 6 3/8". One serving spoon, 8 1/8". One cold meat fork, 8...
Category

1950s Vintage Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Centrepiece in Marble by Arthur Arbesser, Made in Italy, Made in Italy in Stock
Located in Milan, IT
Centerpiece in Nero Marquinia, Rosso Levanto, Bianco Michelangelo, Arabescato Vagli Filo Rosso, Verde Guatemala and Blu Sodalite marbles. Size: 36 x 12 cm 14.2 x 4.7 in, smooth fini...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Tableware

Materials

Marble

Sterling Flatware '5 Piece Setting Service for 24'
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This set of sterling silver flatware has 120 pieces, that’s service for 24 / 5 piece settings. Tailored and understated, the pattern is Classic. This se...
Category

1940s American Vintage Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

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

King by Kirk Stieff Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 76 Pieces Shell Motif
Located in Big Bend, WI
King by Kirk-Stieff Sterling Silver Flatware set - 76 pieces. Kirk-Stieff's version of the traditional Kings-style places its emphasis on simplicity of design, and features an iconic...
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Midcentury Geometric Teak Trivets by Skjode Skjern, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A set of solid teak trivets carved with geometric patterns much like the Ultimo series by Bäckström & Ljungberg. This set measuring 18,5x18,5 cm and 14x14 cm was made by Skjøde Skjer...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Teak

Rare Victorian sterling silver spoon warmer - Rupert Favell London 1875
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1875 by Rupert Favell, this rare, Antique, Victorian Sterling Silver Spoon Warmer, is modelled as a Nautilus shell on a roc...
Category

1870s English Victorian Antique Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Mythologique by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 91 pcs Dinner
Located in Big Bend, WI
The Mythologique pattern was designed by Antoine Heller, a French silversmith trained under the influence of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in the studio of Jean-Leon Gerome. Joining Gorha...
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Very Large Mid-Century Rosenthal Porcelain Dinner /Tea/Coffee Service /12 People
Located in Tarry Town, NY
An exceptional mid-20th century porcelain dinner service by Rosenthal Studio-Line, Germany, designed for twelve and showcasing the refined aesthetic of post-war European craftsmanshi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Paigah Hand Embroidered White Linen Placemat - Set of 2, Viya by Vikram Goyal
Located in Noida, DL
Paigah Hand Embroidered White Linen Placemat - Set of 2, Viya by Vikram Goyal Hand-embroidered on linen, a refined sophistication defines this collection of white-on-white textiles,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Tableware

Materials

Cotton, Linen

Rectangular Tray, Mediterranean Design by Robert Kuo, Handmade Cloisonne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular tray Mediterranean design Shades of blue Glass enamel Gold plated copper Cloisonné Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. The cloison...
Category

2010s Tableware

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Marianne Westman for Rörstrand. Cutting board in stoneware. The Picknick series.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Marianne Westman for Rörstrand, Sweden. Cutting board in stoneware from the Picknick series, hand-decorated with motifs of fruits, vegetables, and herbs in vibrant colors and a graph...
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Stoneware

Small Mid-Century Perforated Tablet, 1950s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Small Mid-Century Perforated Tablet, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1950 to 1959. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Cream Styles: Mid-Century Modern Period: 1950s I...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal

Shell and Thread by Tiffany Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service 88 pcs Dinner
Located in Big Bend, WI
Shell & Thread was first introduced by Tiffany in 1905. Its design is typical of patterns made in England during the long reign of King George III. The raised-border edges, which acc...
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Twosidestory Bowl by Lisette Rützou
Located in Geneve, CH
Twosidestory bowl by Lisette Rützou Dimensions: D 20 cm Materials: Onyx Lisette Rützou’s design is motivated by an urge to articulate a story. Inspired by the beauty of materia...
Category

2010s Danish Post-Modern Tableware

Materials

Onyx

George and Martha by Westmorland Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service 38 Pcs
Located in Big Bend, WI
GEORGE & MARTHA BY WESTMORLAND sterling silver Flatware set - 38 Pieces. This set includes: 8 KNIVES, 8 3/4" 8 FORKS, 7" 8 SALAD FORKS, 6" 8 TEASPOONS, 6" 1 GRAVY LADLE, 7 1/4" 1 S...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Lister & Sons Antique Victorian 1852 Newcastle Sterling Silver Teaspoons
By Lister & Sons
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive set of six antique Victorian Newcastle sterling silver Fiddle pattern teaspoons; an addition to our silver teaware collection. These fine antique Victorian Newcastle sterling silver teaspoons have been crafted in Fiddle pattern. The anterior surface of the terminal of each handle is embellished with the contemporary engraved initials 'ASW'. These fine antique silver teaspoons...
Category

1850s English Victorian Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Francis I Reed & Barton Sterling Silver Flatware 8 Set 54 Pieces New Script Mks
Located in Big Bend, WI
Often called America's most glorious sterling silver flatware pattern, Francis I is a true work of art. Each piece's central decoration represents a different cluster of fruit and fl...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Japanese by Tiffany & Co. Sterling Kettle on Stand with Birds and Foliage
Located in Big Bend, WI
Japanese by Tiffany & Co. sterling kettle on stand with hand chased birds and applied foliage as presented in the Magnificent Tiffany book by John Lori...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Portmeirion Pottery Greek Key Espresso Coffee Service Susan Williams Ellis Desig
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible vintage MCM (Mid-Century Modern) to Modern Portmeirion Pottery espresso coffee service with demitasse cups in black and gilded Greek Key...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

Meissen Coffee & Dessert Set For 7 Persons, Bouquets, Blue Rim & Gold, Ca. 1860
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen coffee service, consisting of 24 parts: 1 coffee pot with lid, 1 cream jug, 1 lidded sugar bowl, 7 cups, 7 saucers, 7 dessert plates. Sh...
Category

Late 19th Century German Baroque Antique Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

6 Bicchieri Smoke Joe Colombo per Arnolfo di Cambio altezza 12 cm.
Located in Milano, IT
6 Bicchieri Smoke Joe Colombo per Arnolfo di Cambio
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Glass

Camellia by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service Luncheon 73 Pcs
Located in Big Bend, WI
12 knives 8 3/4", 12 forks 7 3/8", 12 salad forks 6 1/2", 12 teaspoons 6", 12 cream soup spoons 6 1/4", one gravy ladle 6 1/4", one serving spoon 8 1/2", one pierced serving s...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Wild Rose by International Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service 79 Pcs Dinner
Located in Big Bend, WI
The sweetest flower, the Wild Rose, is captured beautifully in this lovely Victorian design. Precise hand-tooling creates nuances of light and reflection. Wild Rose brings the sereni...
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Nambe Ceramic Tableware Set, 47 Pcs.
Located in Astoria, NY
Nambe Ceramic Tableware Set, all marked "nambe / microwave safe / dishwasher safe / Made in Germany" to underside, and comprising: fourteen (14) coffee mugs, six (6) bowls, six (6) b...
Category

20th Century German Minimalist Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

Queens by Sheffield English Silver Plated Flatware Set Service 125 Pieces Dinner
Located in Big Bend, WI
Large Queens English silver plated flatware set by Sheffield, 125 pieces total. This set includes: 12 large dinner size knives, 10" 12 larg...
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of English Salt Cellar with Glass Inserts in Blue
Located in København, Copenhagen
A pair of English salt cellar with glass inserts in blue of English silver plate. Stamped, circa 1900. Measures: 5 cm. x 4.5 cm. In very good condition.
Category

Early 1900s English Art Nouveau Antique Tableware

Georg Jensen Cactus Sterling Silver Pie Server 195
Located in Hellerup, DK
A sterling silver and stainless steel Georg Jensen pie server, item 195 in the Cactus pattern, design #30 by Gundorph Albertus from 1930. The ...
Category

20th Century Danish Art Deco Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Contemporary Checkered Rectangular Rattan Serving Tray with Handles
Located in Toronto, ON
Uplift your table with this stunning handwoven rattan tray with sky blue and natural checkered sides and handles. Finely crafted by expert artisans, this piece showcases the classica...
Category

2010s Colombian Tableware

Materials

Rattan

Coaster or Christmas Tree Decoration White Marble Handmade Italy
Located in Ancona, Marche
This 'Winter wonderland Snowflake' coaster in White Marble, inspired by ice crystals, are the perfect tasteful gift for the winter and Christmas period. Coaster in polished absolute crystalline white marble from Italy. Thanks to their shape and size they can be used as coasters, bottle coasters, paperweight or even Christmas tree decoration...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware

Materials

Carrara Marble

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.