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Search Within: Flatware
Early English by James Robinson Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 63 pcs
Early English by James Robinson Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 63 pcs

Early English by James Robinson Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 63 pcs

By James Robinson 1

Located in Big Bend, WI

James Robinson For 70 years, James Robinson has been selling exquisite handmade sterling silver flatware in Sheffield, England. Today, the silver is still made in the traditional wa...

Category

20th Century English Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Adam by Shreve Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 79 pieces
Adam by Shreve Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 79 pieces

Adam by Shreve Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 79 pieces

By Shreve & Co.

Located in Big Bend, WI

Rare Adam by Shreve sterling silver flatware set - 79 pieces. This pattern features an urn, swags of flowers, a central cartouche, and was introduced in the year 1909. This set inclu...

Category

20th Century American Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Debutante by Wallace Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 32 Pieces
Debutante by Wallace Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 32 Pieces

Debutante by Wallace Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 32 Pieces

By Wallace Silversmiths

Located in Big Bend, WI

Debutante by Wallace sterling silver flatware set of 32 pieces. This set includes: Eight knives, 9 3/8", eight forks, 7 1/4", eight salad forks, 6 1/2", eight teaspoons, 6 1/8" ...

Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Angelique by International Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 28 Pieces
Angelique by International Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 28 Pieces

Angelique by International Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 28 Pieces

By International Silver

Located in Big Bend, WI

Angelique by International sterling silver flatware set 28 pieces. This set includes: Six knives, 9 1/4", six forks, 7 1/4", six salad forks, 6 5/8",  six teaspoons, 6", one ser...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Renaissance by Plasait Orfevres Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service Dinner 72pc
Renaissance by Plasait Orfevres Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service Dinner 72pc

Renaissance by Plasait Orfevres Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service Dinner 72pc

Located in Big Bend, WI

Dinner Size Renaissance by Plasait Orfevres (French) sterling silver flatware set, 72 pieces. This set features daffodils, plumes, and mythological griffins on a textured background ...

Category

19th Century Antique Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Rosewood & Brass Small Desert H'Ordreves Forks Flatware Set of 5
Rosewood & Brass Small Desert H'Ordreves Forks Flatware Set of 5

Rosewood & Brass Small Desert H'Ordreves Forks Flatware Set of 5

Located in Clifton Forge, VA

This is a very sweet set of small (5 inch) forks made of brass with rosewood handles that will be perfect for delicate deserts or h'orderves and will make a special addition to your ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Chrysanthemum by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 126 Pieces
Chrysanthemum by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 126 Pieces

Chrysanthemum by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 126 Pieces

By Durgin Silver Company

Located in Big Bend, WI

One of Durgin's most popular and beautiful patterns is '"Chrysanthemum". The design is of leaves and chrysanthemum buds and blooms on the front. The back displays 2 chrysanthemums in bloom among leaves and buds. The chrysanthemum flowers flow down beautifully onto the tines, bowls, and serving areas of many of the pieces. Superb Chrysanthemum by Durgin...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Linenfold by Tiffany and Co Sterling Silver Flatware Set 6 Service 37 pieces
Linenfold by Tiffany and Co Sterling Silver Flatware Set 6 Service 37 pieces

Linenfold by Tiffany and Co Sterling Silver Flatware Set 6 Service 37 pieces

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Big Bend, WI

Beautiful and distinctive Tiffany & Co. sterling silver flatware in the highly sought-after Linenfold pattern. The design is inspired by traditional linenfold wood carving, featuring...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of four-person modernist dinner flatware in brass. Swedish design.
Set of four-person modernist dinner flatware in brass. Swedish design.

Set of four-person modernist dinner flatware in brass. Swedish design.

Located in København, Copenhagen

A set of four-person modernist dinner flatware in brass, consisting of four dinner knives and four dinner forks. Swedish design. Late 20th century. Marked. In perfect condition. Knif...

Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Tableware

Materials

Brass

Spanish Lace by Wallace Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 35 Pieces
Spanish Lace by Wallace Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 35 Pieces

Spanish Lace by Wallace Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 35 Pieces

By Wallace Silversmiths

Located in Big Bend, WI

Lovely Spanish Lace by Wallace sterling silver flatware set of 35 pieces. This set includes: Eight knives, 9 1/4". Eight forks, 7 5/8". Eight salad forks, 6 3/4". Eight teaspoo...

Category

1960s Vintage Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Renaissance by Christofle France Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 84 pieces
Renaissance by Christofle France Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 84 pieces

Renaissance by Christofle France Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 84 pieces

By Christofle

Located in Big Bend, WI

Christofle French silver flatware has been crafted by master artisans since 1830. The revolutionary style and character of Christofle dinnerware comes from collaborations with ground...

Category

1990s French Renaissance Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of 7 Mid-Century Sterling Silver & Lucite Flatware by Porter Blanchard
Set of 7 Mid-Century Sterling Silver & Lucite Flatware by Porter Blanchard

Set of 7 Mid-Century Sterling Silver & Lucite Flatware by Porter Blanchard

By Porter Blanchard

Located in New York, NY

This Mid-Century Modernist Sterling Silver & Lucite Flatware Set by Porter Blanchard, dating to circa 1950, is a sophisticated example of mid-20th-century design. Combining sleek...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Southern Grandeur by Easterling Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 24 pieces
Southern Grandeur by Easterling Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 24 pieces

Southern Grandeur by Easterling Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 24 pieces

By Easterling

Located in Big Bend, WI

Southern Grandeur by Easterling sterling silver Flatware set - 24 pieces. Great starter set! This set includes: 6 Knives, 8 7/8" 6 Forks, 7 1/4" 6 Salad Forks, 6 5/8" 6 Teaspoons, 6"...

Category

Mid-20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Fontainebleau by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 27 pcs Dinner
Fontainebleau by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 27 pcs Dinner

Fontainebleau by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 27 pcs Dinner

By Gorham

Located in Big Bend, WI

The academic nature in which designer Antione Heller looked to the past for inspiration also stems from the Beaux Arts movement. This multi-motif, figural pattern features French cou...

Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Airline Silverware Eastern Airlines Stainless Steel Flatware Set Modern 12 pcs
Airline Silverware Eastern Airlines Stainless Steel Flatware Set Modern 12 pcs

Airline Silverware Eastern Airlines Stainless Steel Flatware Set Modern 12 pcs

Located in Big Bend, WI

Airline Silverware This set is from the authors' incredible lifetime collection of innovative flatware. “Flatware that's not flat: Design and Production of innovative Table cutlery, 1890-2015” By William P. Hood Jr. & Phil Dreis. (Not pictured in the book) Rare Eastern Airlines...

Category

Mid-20th Century Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Milburn Rose by Westmorland Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 44 Pieces
Milburn Rose by Westmorland Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 44 Pieces

Milburn Rose by Westmorland Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 44 Pieces

By Westmorland

Located in Big Bend, WI

MILBURN ROSE BY WESTMORLAND sterling silver Flatware set - 44 Pieces. This set includes: 8 KNIVES, 9 1/8" 8 FORKS, 7 1/4" 8 SALAD FORKS, 6 3/8" 8 TEASPOONS, 6" 8 HOLLOW HANDLE BUTTE...

Category

Mid-20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sigvard Bernadotte "Scanline" brass flatware. Three-person dinner set. 15 pieces
Sigvard Bernadotte "Scanline" brass flatware. Three-person dinner set. 15 pieces

Sigvard Bernadotte "Scanline" brass flatware. Three-person dinner set. 15 pieces

Located in København, Copenhagen

Sigvard Bernadotte "Scanline" brass flatware. Three-person dinnerware set. 15 pieces in total. Danish design from the 1960s/70s. Marked: Scanline. In excellent condition. Knife: L 2...

Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Rambler Rose by Towle Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 24 Pieces
Rambler Rose by Towle Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 24 Pieces

Rambler Rose by Towle Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 24 Pieces

By Towle Silversmiths

Located in Big Bend, WI

Highly polished sides with a trellis of rambling roses down the center and of the handle best describes the Rambler Rose pattern first introduced by Towle in 1937. RAMBLER ROSE BY T...

Category

1930s American Vintage Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Southern Grandeur by Easterling Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 37 pieces
Southern Grandeur by Easterling Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 37 pieces

Southern Grandeur by Easterling Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 37 pieces

By Easterling

Located in Big Bend, WI

Beautiful Southern Grandeur by Easterling sterling silver Flatware set, 37 pieces. This set includes: 8 Knives, 8 7/8" 8 Forks, 7 1/4" 8 Salad Forks, 6 5/8" 8 Teaspoons, 6" 1 Gravy ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Milano by Buccellati Italy Silver Flatware Set Service 33 pcs Dinner
Milano by Buccellati Italy Silver Flatware Set Service 33 pcs Dinner

Milano by Buccellati Italy Silver Flatware Set Service 33 pcs Dinner

By Buccellati

Located in Big Bend, WI

Handcrafted in sterling silver and adorned with reeded borders and stylized rope accents, the Milano flatware collection is a fashionable update on traditional design. The house of B...

Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Lady Mary by Towle Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 35 Pieces
Lady Mary by Towle Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 35 Pieces

Lady Mary by Towle Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 35 Pieces

By Towle Silversmiths

Located in Big Bend, WI

Lady Mary by Towle Sterling Silver Flatware Set - 35 pieces. Great starter set! This set includes: 6 Knives, 8 5/8" 6 Forks, 7 1/8" 6 Salad Forks, 6" 6 Small Teaspoons, 5 1/2" 6 Fla...

Category

Mid-20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Formality by State House Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 43 Pieces
Formality by State House Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 43 Pieces

Formality by State House Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 43 Pieces

By State House Sterling

Located in Big Bend, WI

Formality by State House Sterling Silver flatware set - 43 pieces. This set includes: 8 Knives, 8 1/2" 8 Forks, 7 1/2" 8 Salad Forks, 6 1/4" 8 Teaspoons, 6 1/8" 8 Cream Soup Spoons,...

Category

Mid-20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sigvard Bernadotte "Scanline" brass flatware. Carving set and a carving fork.
Sigvard Bernadotte "Scanline" brass flatware. Carving set and a carving fork.

Sigvard Bernadotte "Scanline" brass flatware. Carving set and a carving fork.

Located in København, Copenhagen

Sigvard Bernadotte "Scanline" brass flatware. Carving set and a carving fork. Three pieces. Danish design from the 1960s/70s. Marked: Scanline. In excellent condition. Knife: L 28.5 cm.

Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

French Provincial by Towle Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 50 Pieces
French Provincial by Towle Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 50 Pieces

French Provincial by Towle Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 50 Pieces

By Towle Silversmiths

Located in Big Bend, WI

A blend of three design motifs gives this pattern a distinctive feeling of richness tempered with informal simplicity. Introduced in 1948, the traditional fiddle-shaped outline has b...

Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Boin Taburet - Sterling Table Service, 322pc Flatware Set + 15pc Platter Set !
Boin Taburet - Sterling Table Service, 322pc Flatware Set + 15pc Platter Set !

Boin Taburet - Sterling Table Service, 322pc Flatware Set + 15pc Platter Set !

By Boin-Taburet

Located in Wilmington, DE

Direct from St. Tropez:  Direct from a private mansion in St. Tropez, a stunning 19th century 950 sterling silver and vermeil table service by premier French silversmith "Boin Taburet", consisting of a 322-piece flatware set plus a 15 piece Serving platter set in their classic shell pattern, absolutely magnificent, circa late 1890s. The 19th century represented a golden age for French decorative arts, particularly in the realm of silversmithing, where technical precision and artistic innovation converged to produce some of the most exquisite tableware in European history. Among the luminaries of this era, the Parisian firm Boin-Taburet emerged as a preeminent force, celebrated for its exceptional craftsmanship, royal patronage, and the enduring beauty of its silver creations. Specializing in sterling silver and vermeil flatware, as well as ornate serving pieces such as Louis XVI-style platters, Boin-Taburet’s work epitomized the elegance and sophistication of French luxury during a period marked by opulent dining culture and aristocratic refinement. The Early Years:  The origins of Boin-Taburet can be traced to the early 19th century, a time when Paris reasserted itself as the epicenter of fine silver production following the upheavals of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. The firm’s exact founding date remains uncertain due to incomplete archival records, but it is widely accepted that it rose to prominence during the Bourbon Restoration (1814–1830) and the subsequent July Monarchy (1830–1848). These periods witnessed a resurgence of aristocratic wealth and a renewed demand for luxury goods, creating fertile ground for master silversmiths to thrive.  Boin-Taburet distinguished itself early on by adhering to the highest standards of craftsmanship while embracing stylistic influences from both the Empire and Restoration periods. The firm’s name likely derives from its founders, though historical documentation regarding its earliest proprietors is sparse. What is clear, however, is that by the mid-19th century, Boin-Taburet had secured a place among the elite Parisian silversmiths, alongside illustrious contemporaries such as Odiot, Christofle, and Puiforcat. The firm’s workshops, likely located in the historic silversmithing district of the Marais, employed highly skilled artisans who specialized in forging, chasing, and gilding silver, ensuring that each piece met exacting standards.  The 19th century was a transformative period for French silver, as the burgeoning bourgeoisie and the returning aristocracy sought tableware that reflected their social standing. Boin-Taburet responded to this demand by producing works that blended functionality with artistic grandeur. The firm’s designs frequently drew inspiration from the Louis XVI style, a neoclassical aesthetic characterized by symmetry, floral motifs, and restrained elegance. This stylistic choice not only aligned with the prevailing tastes of the time but also ensured that Boin-Taburet’s creations would remain timeless, transcending the fleeting trends that influenced other manufacturers.  Focus on Quality:  The foundation of Boin-Taburet’s enduring reputation lay in its unwavering commitment to quality. Unlike many manufacturers who began to adopt industrial techniques in the latter half of the 19th century, Boin-Taburet remained steadfast in its dedication to traditional handcrafting methods. Each piece was meticulously shaped, engraved, and finished by master silversmiths who had undergone years, if not decades, of apprenticeship to perfect their skills. This painstaking approach ensured that every item bore the hallmarks of exceptional artistry - precise detailing, balanced proportions, and a flawless surface finish.  A defining feature of Boin-Taburet’s work was its use of 950 sterling silver, a higher silver content than the standard 925 (Britannia silver) commonly used by other firms. This elevated purity not only enhanced the metal’s luster but also improved its resistance to tarnishing, making Boin-Taburet’s pieces particularly desirable for discerning clients. The firm’s Louis XVI-style serving platters, for example, were crafted from this superior alloy, resulting in pieces that were both visually striking and remarkably durable. These platters often featured elaborate chased borders adorned with acanthus leaves, floral swags, and scalloped edges, demonstrating the silversmiths’ ability to manipulate silver into intricate, three-dimensional forms.  In addition to sterling silver, Boin-Taburet excelled in the production of vermeil - a technique that involved the application of a thick layer of gold over sterling silver through either fire-gilding or electrolysis. Vermeil flatware sets...

Category

Late 19th Century Louis XVI Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver

Consulat by Puiforcat France Silverplate Flatware Set Service 41 pcs Dinner
Consulat by Puiforcat France Silverplate Flatware Set Service 41 pcs Dinner

Consulat by Puiforcat France Silverplate Flatware Set Service 41 pcs Dinner

By Jean Puiforcat

Located in Big Bend, WI

The Parisian silversmith Puiforcat is regarded as one of the legendary names in European silver craftsmanship. Inspired by cutlery designed by silversmith Fransois-Thomas Germain in the 18th century and revived by Martin-Guillaume Biennais a century later, this silver-plated classic continues to charm with its smooth, balanced forms and simple threaded design. Gorgeous pristine Consulat by Puiforcat silverplated flatware set...

Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

English Provincial Reed & Barton Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 32 pcs New
English Provincial Reed & Barton Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 32 pcs New

English Provincial Reed & Barton Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 32 pcs New

By Reed & Barton

Located in Big Bend, WI

English Provincial by Reed & Barton is a timeless sterling silver flatware pattern that beautifully captures the warmth and charm of traditional English design. Introduced in 196...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Palme by Christofle Silverplate Flatware Service for 12 Set 122 pieces Dinner
Palme by Christofle Silverplate Flatware Service for 12 Set 122 pieces Dinner

Palme by Christofle Silverplate Flatware Service for 12 Set 122 pieces Dinner

By Christofle

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. Pa...

Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Rhapsody by International Sterling Silver Flatware 8 Service Set 33 Pieces
Rhapsody by International Sterling Silver Flatware 8 Service Set 33 Pieces

Rhapsody by International Sterling Silver Flatware 8 Service Set 33 Pieces

By International Silver

Located in Big Bend, WI

A pleasing harmony of traditional design and fresh modern styling is reflected in Rhapsody. Sweeping asymmetrical curves, deeply sculpted, play upon each piece. This simple yet elega...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Malmaison Gold by Christofle Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 134 pcs Dinner
Malmaison Gold by Christofle Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 134 pcs Dinner

Malmaison Gold by Christofle Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 134 pcs Dinner

By Christofle

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. The ...

Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Moderne Gramont by Christofle France Silverplate Flatware Service Set 106 Pieces
Moderne Gramont by Christofle France Silverplate Flatware Service Set 106 Pieces

Moderne Gramont by Christofle France Silverplate Flatware Service Set 106 Pieces

By Christofle

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. Go...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Jean E Puiforcat Cutlery Flatware Set Art Deco Normandie Royan Sterling Silver
Jean E Puiforcat Cutlery Flatware Set Art Deco Normandie Royan Sterling Silver

Jean E Puiforcat Cutlery Flatware Set Art Deco Normandie Royan Sterling Silver

By Puiforcat, Jean Puiforcat

Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR

Cutlery Flatware set Art Deco "Rohan" (it is Normandie Pattern but in sterling silver) made in 950/1000th solid sterling silver by Jean E. Puiforcat. All sterling silver pieces are ...

Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Tableware

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Martinique by Oneida Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 43 pieces
Martinique by Oneida Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 43 pieces

Martinique by Oneida Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 43 pieces

By Oneida

Located in Big Bend, WI

Martinique by Oneida c1967 sterling silver flatware set - 43 pieces. This set includes: 8 Knives, 9" 8 Forks, 7 3/8" 8 Salad Forks, 6 1/2" 8 Teaspoons, 6" 8 Place Soup Spoons, 6 1/2...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

János Megyik for Amboss Avant-Garde Flatware Service for 12
János Megyik for Amboss Avant-Garde Flatware Service for 12

János Megyik for Amboss Avant-Garde Flatware Service for 12

By Amboss Austria, Janos Megyik

Located in Westfield, NJ

Rare János Megyik for Amboss avant-garde flatware service for 12. Each service includes 5 utensils: dinner fork, salad / dessert fork, dinner / soup spoon, tea spoon and dinner knife. Each utensil is stamped and marked. Great vintage condition with minimal wear and tear consistent with age and history. Complete set has been cleaned and disinfected. A total of 63 pieces are included in this set. Dinner knife measurements: 8.5” long x 1” wide. Dinner fork measurements: 7.5” long x 1.5. Salad/dessert fork measurements: 5.75” long x 1” wide. Dinner spoon measurements: 7.5” long x 1.5” wide Tea spoon measurements: 5.75” long x 1” wide Meat fork measurements: 7.5” long x 1.25” wide Paring knife...

Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Bauhaus Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Fiddle by Novargent France Stainless Steel Flatware Service Set 72 pcs
Fiddle by Novargent France Stainless Steel Flatware Service Set 72 pcs

Fiddle by Novargent France Stainless Steel Flatware Service Set 72 pcs

Located in Big Bend, WI

Fiddle by Novargent (France) Stainless Steel Flatware set - 72 pieces. This set includes: 12 Dinner Size Knives, 9 1/2" 12 Large Dinner Size Forks, 8 1/4" 12 Dessert Knives, 8 1/2" ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Tableware

Materials

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.