Tableware
1990s Italian Other Tableware
Crystal, Silver
1920s European Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Nickel
1920s British Arts and Crafts Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Tableware
Silver
1920s European Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Glass, Art Glass
1990s Danish Tableware
Glass
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Glass
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Glass
1920s Danish Vintage Tableware
Silver
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Glass
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
1920s Danish Vintage Tableware
Silver
1920s French Belle Époque Vintage Tableware
Silver
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Silver
1920s European Art Nouveau Vintage Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
1920s Hong Kong Vintage Tableware
Silver
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Brass
1920s Unknown Vintage Tableware
Silver
1920s English Vintage Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
1990s Peruvian Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Pottery
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
1920s German Vintage Tableware
Gold
1920s Danish Vintage Tableware
Silver
1920s Danish Art Nouveau Vintage Tableware
Silver
1920s English Late Victorian Vintage Tableware
Silver Plate
1920s Danish Art Nouveau Vintage Tableware
Silver
1920s Danish Vintage Tableware
Silver
1920s Danish Art Nouveau Vintage Tableware
Silver
1990s Danish Tableware
Porcelain
1920s Danish Vintage Tableware
Silver
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
1920s American Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
1920s German Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Silver
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Art Glass
1920s English Vintage Tableware
Sheffield Plate, Stainless Steel
1990s French Renaissance Tableware
Sterling Silver
1920s French Vintage Tableware
Silver Plate
1920s Danish Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Other Tableware
Sterling Silver
1920s German Louis XVI Vintage Tableware
Silver Plate
1920s Danish Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
1920s Danish Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Enamel
1920s Danish Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
1990s British Tableware
Silver
1920s Danish Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
1920s Danish Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
1990s English Tableware
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Tableware
Porcelain
1990s German Tableware
Porcelain
1920s Danish Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
1920s Danish Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
1920s Danish Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
1920s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Metal
1920s Danish Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
1920s German Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
1990s German 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.