Tableware
Late 19th Century German Antique Tableware
Silver
1840s Scottish Gothic Revival Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
1880s French Aesthetic Movement Antique Tableware
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tableware
Porcelain
19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Glass, Plastic
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Bronze
Late 19th Century Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
1810s English George III Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver, Silver
1960s German Baroque Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
1870s Unknown Antique Tableware
Faience
1870s Unknown Antique Tableware
Faience
1870s English Victorian Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
1960s English Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
1870s Unknown Antique Tableware
Faience
1870s Antique Tableware
Silver Plate
Late 19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Brass
19th Century Russian Antique Tableware
Silver
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Tableware
Copper
19th Century Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tableware
Ironstone
19th Century Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
Early 1800s British Regency Antique Tableware
Metal
19th Century French Other Antique Tableware
Stone
19th Century Russian Antique Tableware
Silver
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Teak, Glass
1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Silver Plate
19th Century American Antique Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Tableware
Vermeil, Silver
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Brass
Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Tableware
Bronze
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Brass
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Tableware
Fruitwood
1960s Danish Vintage Tableware
Faience
19th Century American Antique Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century British Antique Tableware
Ceramic
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Aluminum
Mid-19th Century Italian Early Victorian Antique Tableware
Marble, Bronze
1960s Italian Space Age Vintage Tableware
Steel
1820s British George IV Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
1960s Danish Vintage Tableware
Faience
19th Century Dutch Antique Tableware
Crystal, Silver
Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Tableware
Silver
19th Century German Antique Tableware
Gold, Silver
Mid-19th Century Italian Grand Tour Antique Tableware
Marble, Bronze
1960s Vintage Tableware
Silver
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Stainless Steel
Late 19th Century Chinese Late Victorian Antique Tableware
Silver
1860s American Aesthetic Movement Antique Tableware
Silver Plate
Late 19th Century Russian High Victorian Antique Tableware
Silver
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tableware
Silver
19th Century American Antique Tableware
Silver, 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.