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Tableware For Sale
Empire by Olier & Caron French Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service Dinner 93 Pc
Empire by Olier & Caron French Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service Dinner 93 Pc

Empire by Olier & Caron French Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service Dinner 93 Pc

By Olier & Caron 1

Located in Big Bend, WI

Empire by Olier & Caron, French sterling silver flatware set, 93 pieces. This set includes: 12 dinner size knives, 10 1/4", 12 dinner size forks, 8 1/4", 12 regular/luncheon kniv...

Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

18th Century George III Sterling Silver Drum Mustard Pot
18th Century George III Sterling Silver Drum Mustard Pot

18th Century George III Sterling Silver Drum Mustard Pot

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

A exceptional antique 18th century English sterling silver drum mustard pot; an addition to our silver cruets / condiments collection. This exceptional antique George III sterling silver mustard pot has a plain drum form with applied borders to the upper rim. The body of this large antique Georgian silver mustard pot...

Category

1770s British George III Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique Victorian Newcastle Sterling Silver Runcible Spoons
Antique Victorian Newcastle Sterling Silver Runcible Spoons

Antique Victorian Newcastle Sterling Silver Runcible Spoons

By John Walton

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique Victorian Newcastle sterling silver King's pattern runcible spoons; an addition to our silver flatwa...

Category

1850s English Victorian Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

19th Century English Coromandle Canteen Service by Walker & Hall
19th Century English Coromandle Canteen Service by Walker & Hall

19th Century English Coromandle Canteen Service by Walker & Hall

Located in Dublin, IE

An exquisite 19th century Coromandle canteen service by Walker & Hall. Of rectangular form fitted with recessed brass side handles, and twin panel doors enclosing a fitted interior with four shallow drawers retaining a Hanoverian rat-tail service comprising: 18 dessert forks, 4 knife rests, 18 table forks, 22 teaspoons, 2 egg spoons, a sugar spoon and butter knife, 18 dessert spoons, 3 salt spoons, 3 pickle forks, bone handle table knives and carving set, a soup ladle, 2 serving spoons, 2 fish carvers, 12 tablespoons, sugar nips and sauce ladles. Circa 1870 English Key is present and lock is in working order Measures: H: 12 1/4 in / 31 cm ; W: 21 1/2 in / 55 cm ; D: 16 3/4 in / 42.5 cm Footnote: The business was established in Sheffield in 1845 by George Walker...

Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

A Pair of Silver-plated Conserve Pots on a Stand
A Pair of Silver-plated Conserve Pots on a Stand

A Pair of Silver-plated Conserve Pots on a Stand

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

A Pair of Silver-plated Conserve Pots on a Stand These very pretty glass dishes come complete with spoons and lids, the stand is decorated with grapes and vines. The set is 4” high...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Silver dessert set
Silver dessert set

Silver dessert set

$1,000 / set

Silver dessert set

Located in Porto, PT

Description: Silver dessert set with two spoons, fork, spatula and raised handles. Metal: Silver. Origin: French. Brand: Boar's Head. Weight: 101.16 grams. Dimensions: Fork 17.3cmx1....

Category

19th Century European Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver

Reid & Sons Antique Sterling Silver Knife / Pen Rests
Reid & Sons Antique Sterling Silver Knife / Pen Rests

Reid & Sons Antique Sterling Silver Knife / Pen Rests

By Reid and Sons

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

An exceptional, fine and impressive, large pair of antique George V English sterling silver knife / pen rests; an addition to our dining silverware collection...

Category

1910s English Vintage Tableware

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Modern Minimalist Orb Blown-Glass Transparent Vase - Home Decor
Modern Minimalist Orb Blown-Glass Transparent Vase - Home Decor

Modern Minimalist Orb Blown-Glass Transparent Vase - Home Decor

Located in Vilnius, LT

Product name: NAVAZI Category: Lighting, Decoration Type: Decoration, Floor lamp, Wall lamp, Pendant, Table lamp Material: Ceramic/glass base, frosted glass, textile cable Light ...

Category

2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Tableware

Materials

Glass

1950s Norstaal "Inka" Stainless Steel 6-settings Cutlery Set Erik Herlow Norway
1950s Norstaal "Inka" Stainless Steel 6-settings Cutlery Set Erik Herlow Norway

1950s Norstaal "Inka" Stainless Steel 6-settings Cutlery Set Erik Herlow Norway

By Erik Herlow

Located in Sherborne, Dorset

This incredibly stylish and compact little teak box includes a cutlery set designed by Erik Herlow in 1956 for Norstaal, Norway, and includes 54 pieces of beautiful stainless steel “...

Category

Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Set of six silver teaspoons with floral motifs on the handles
Set of six silver teaspoons with floral motifs on the handles

Set of six silver teaspoons with floral motifs on the handles

Located in Porto, PT

Description: Set of six silver teaspoons with floral motifs on the handles. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: javali II Title. Weight: 107.13 grams (Set of six spoons). Dimen...

Category

19th Century European Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver

2 David Andersen Norway Gold Wash Sterling Enamel Lemon & Pickle Forks
2 David Andersen Norway Gold Wash Sterling Enamel Lemon & Pickle Forks

2 David Andersen Norway Gold Wash Sterling Enamel Lemon & Pickle Forks

By David Andersen

Located in Washington Depot, CT

Set of 2 David Andersen Norway gold washed sterling silver green enamel lemon and pickle forks. The smaller fork is a lemon fork featuring a green enamel handle topped with a flower...

Category

Early 20th Century Norwegian Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Meadow by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 198 Pieces Dinner
Meadow by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 198 Pieces Dinner

Meadow by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 198 Pieces Dinner

By Gorham Manufacturing Company

Located in Big Bend, WI

Superb Meadow by Gorham sterling silver Flatware set - 198 pieces including many fabulous serving pieces. This multi-motif pattern features various finely detailed scenes of flowers, cattails, clover, grasses, and foliage found in the American Meadow. The pattern was designed by Edward Holbrook and was introduced in the year 1897. This set includes: 12 dinner size knives, 9 1/2" 12 dinner size forks, 7 1/2" 12 regular knives, 8 1/2" 12 regular/dessert forks, 6 3/4" 12 teaspoons, 5 7/8" 12 place soup spoons, 7" 12 flat handle butter spreaders, 6 1/4" 12 sherbet forks, gold-washed, 4 3/4" 12 cocktail forks, 5 1/2" 12 escargot forks...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Silver toothpick holder, hummingbird with open wings and resting on a stone base
Silver toothpick holder, hummingbird with open wings and resting on a stone base

Silver toothpick holder, hummingbird with open wings and resting on a stone base

Located in Porto, PT

Description: Silver toothpick holder, hummingbird with open wings and resting on a stone base. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: javali II Title. Weight: 506.91 grams. Dimens...

Category

19th Century European Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver

Antique TLB Limoges Touze Lemaître Frères & Blancher Tea Coffee Demitasse Plates
Antique TLB Limoges Touze Lemaître Frères & Blancher Tea Coffee Demitasse Plates

Antique TLB Limoges Touze Lemaître Frères & Blancher Tea Coffee Demitasse Plates

Located in Dayton, OH

22 pieces of early 20th century Art Deco French Limoges porcelain plates by T.L.B. (Touze, Lemaître Frères & Blancher). White porcelain with gold gilt details and folk art style flor...

Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Sovereign Old by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service 138 pcs Dinner
Sovereign Old by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service 138 pcs Dinner

Sovereign Old by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service 138 pcs Dinner

By Gorham

Located in Big Bend, WI

Sovereign Old by Gorham (1941) Sterling Silver Flatware set with stylized acorn motif - 138 pieces. This set includes: 8 Dinner Knives, 9 5/8" 8 Dinner Forks, 7 7/8" 8 Knives, 8 7/8...

Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Edward Wood Antique English Sterling Silver Trencher Salts 1728
Edward Wood Antique English Sterling Silver Trencher Salts 1728

Edward Wood Antique English Sterling Silver Trencher Salts 1728

By Edward Wood

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

A very good pair of antique Georgian English sterling silver trencher salts, an addition to our collectable cruet and condiment silverware collection. ...

Category

1720s English George II Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Copenhagen Silver Industry Danish Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 46 Pieces
Copenhagen Silver Industry Danish Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 46 Pieces

Copenhagen Silver Industry Danish Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 46 Pieces

Located in Big Bend, WI

Hand wrought Danish sterling silver flatware set by Copenhagen Silver Industry Ltd. - 46 pieces. This set includes: Bonus8 dinner forks, 7 7/8" 8 knives, 8 3/8" 8 dessert forks, 6 3...

Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Victorian engraved sterling silver goblet made in London in 1890
Victorian engraved sterling silver goblet made in London in 1890

Victorian engraved sterling silver goblet made in London in 1890

By Charles Boyton

Located in London, London

Hallmarked in London in 1890 by Charles Boyton, this attractive, Antique, Victorian, Sterling Silver Goblet, features fern engraving throughout, bead borders, and a gilt interior. Th...

Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Champagne Cooler Style, Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, 1900, Signed Anezin Y Cia WMF
Champagne Cooler Style, Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, 1900, Signed Anezin Y Cia WMF

Champagne Cooler Style, Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, 1900, Signed Anezin Y Cia WMF

By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

Champagne cooler Signed Anezin y Cia : It is the firm that sold it in Argentina Firms: WMF G = Introduces on the 1 st June 1910, in the interests of improved legibility, especially ...

Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Tableware

Materials

Metal

Hunt Slonem Bunnies & Butterflies Nesting Bowls
Hunt Slonem Bunnies & Butterflies Nesting Bowls

Hunt Slonem Bunnies & Butterflies Nesting Bowls

Located in Summit, NJ

Beautiful and functional! Our artfully designed nesting bowls and plates are m Ade of porcelain and surrounded with Hunt's bunnies and butterflies. Open the egg to reveal a total of ...

Category

2010s Asian Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Charles Boyton II Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Mustard Pot
Charles Boyton II Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Mustard Pot

Charles Boyton II Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Mustard Pot

By Charles Boyton II

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

An exceptional, fine and impressive, unusual antique Victorian English sterling silver novelty mustard pot; an addition to our 19th century silver condiments collection. This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver mustard pot has an oval shaped form on to a circular spreading foot, modelled in the form of a period coal scuttle or flower basket. The lower portion of the body is embellished with undulating fluted ornamentation. The upper portion of the body is embellished with a wide incurved band of scrolling leaf decoration accented with a floral motif to each spiralling terminal, all on a matte background. This sterling silver mustard pot is fitted with impressive two hallmarked hinged covers embellished with scrolling leaf and floral motifs on a matte background. This exceptional example of antique silverware has a central ribbed handle. The stepped circular spreading foot is encircled with a band of leaf and circular motif decoration. This fine novelty silver mustard pot retains the original gilded interior. This antique silver mustard pot...

Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver, Silver

Hamilton Gramercy by Tiffany Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 60 Pcs Dinner
Hamilton Gramercy by Tiffany Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 60 Pcs Dinner

Hamilton Gramercy by Tiffany Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 60 Pcs Dinner

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Big Bend, WI

Superb sinner size Hamilton aka Gramercy by Tiffany & Co. sterling silver Flatware set, 60 pieces. This timeless pattern was introduced by Tiffany in the year 1938. This set includes...

Category

1930s Vintage Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Collection of Persian Silverware and Tableware
Collection of Persian Silverware and Tableware

Collection of Persian Silverware and Tableware

Located in London, GB

A collection of Persian silverware and tableware Persian, Early 20th Century Box: height 3cm, width 16.5cm, depth 9.5cm Vases: height 41cm, diame...

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Islamic Tableware

Materials

Silver

Antique Russian Silver Gilt Egg Cups, Engraved Decoration, Circa 1890
Antique Russian Silver Gilt Egg Cups, Engraved Decoration, Circa 1890

Antique Russian Silver Gilt Egg Cups, Engraved Decoration, Circa 1890

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique Russian silver gilt egg cups; an addition to our silver cruet and condiment collection. These exceptional antique Russian silver egg...

Category

1890s Russian Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver

19th Century, 1850s, Dutch Silver Biscuit Box
19th Century, 1850s, Dutch Silver Biscuit Box

19th Century, 1850s, Dutch Silver Biscuit Box

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Dutch silver biscuit box; an addition to the ornamental silverware collection. This exceptional antique Dutch silver biscuit box has circular form. The body of the box is plain and encompassed with a band of applied reed decoration to the lower rim. This biscuit box retains the original hallmarked hinged cover ornamented with further applied reed decoration to the upper and lower rims. The hallmarks struck to this impressive Dutch silver biscuit box include: Maker's mark: ICF (untraced) Duty mark: Minerva head, C (The Hague) Tax mark: Axe/hatchet mark Silver quality/purity mark: Crowned lion rampant .934 (934/1000) Date mark: X (1857) Retailer's mark: Diemont (William Diemont) Condition This antique silver biscuit box...

Category

1850s Dutch Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver

Joseph Scammell 1795 Georgian Sterling Silver Coasters
Joseph Scammell 1795 Georgian Sterling Silver Coasters

Joseph Scammell 1795 Georgian Sterling Silver Coasters

By Joseph Scammell

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique Georgian English sterling silver coasters; part of our wine and drinks related silverware collection These exceptional antique Ge...

Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Pair of Pitchers WMF, German, 1909 in Silver Plated and Red Crystal, Art Nouveau
Pair of Pitchers WMF, German, 1909 in Silver Plated and Red Crystal, Art Nouveau

Pair of Pitchers WMF, German, 1909 in Silver Plated and Red Crystal, Art Nouveau

By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

2 Pitchers WMF Style: Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty year: 1909 Country: Germany Materials: silver plated and red glass Several of the WMF objects can be seen in museums Stamps ...

Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Tableware

Materials

Art Glass

Silver toothpick holder with leaves and flowers
Silver toothpick holder with leaves and flowers

Silver toothpick holder with leaves and flowers

Located in Porto, PT

Description: Silver toothpick holder with leaves and flowers, with a bird perched on fruit on a round base with three feet. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: Porto Coroa. Wei...

Category

Early 18th Century European Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver

American Sterling Silver Sixty-Six Piece Part Flatware Service
American Sterling Silver Sixty-Six Piece Part Flatware Service

American Sterling Silver Sixty-Six Piece Part Flatware Service

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

American Sterling Silver Sixty-Six Piece Part Flatware Service Wm. Rogers, Sterling. In the Reflections pattern. Comprising, eleven dinner knives, twelve dinner forks, twelve salad...

Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Silver

Porcelain Friars Salt and Pepper Set by Deruta Fratelli Niccacci
Porcelain Friars Salt and Pepper Set by Deruta Fratelli Niccacci

Porcelain Friars Salt and Pepper Set by Deruta Fratelli Niccacci

By Deruta

Located in Rome, IT

The set consists of three different sized Franciscan monks in porcelain. It has its original "Deruta fratelli Nicacci" stamp on the bottom.

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

Important Pr of Sugar Spoons with Shell Shaped Bowls, by Henry Ormsby, Phila.
Important Pr of Sugar Spoons with Shell Shaped Bowls, by Henry Ormsby, Phila.

Important Pr of Sugar Spoons with Shell Shaped Bowls, by Henry Ormsby, Phila.

Located in valatie, NY

Important Pair of Sugar Spoons with Shell Shaped Bowls, Coin Silver, by Henry Ormsby in the Fiddle Pattern. Henry Ormsby was a Philadelphia silversmith known to have produced America...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Plate Charger Birds Butterflies Geometri
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Plate Charger Birds Butterflies Geometri

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Plate Charger Birds Butterflies Geometri

Located in Long Island City, NY

A fine quality antique Japanese Meiji era enamel plate, The central medallion depicts a scene with birds and butterflies sitting on a blooming branch. The central part is surrounded by six medallions depicting picturesque scenes with partridge birds...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Tableware

Materials

Enamel

Gustafsberg, Sweden. A set of six flat earthenware ‘Geranium’ plates.
Gustafsberg, Sweden. A set of six flat earthenware ‘Geranium’ plates.

Gustafsberg, Sweden. A set of six flat earthenware ‘Geranium’ plates.

Located in København, Copenhagen

Pre-owned goods are exempt from import duties for U.S. customers. Therefore, no import tariffs will be applicable to your purchase. Gustafsberg, Sweden. A set of six flat earthenwa...

Category

1910s Swedish Vintage Tableware

Materials

Earthenware

Set of six silver teaspoons with palms in relief on the handles
Set of six silver teaspoons with palms in relief on the handles

Set of six silver teaspoons with palms in relief on the handles

Located in Porto, PT

Description: Set of six silver teaspoons with palms in relief on the handles. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: Porto Coroa. Weight: 142.91 grams (Set of six spoons). Dimensi...

Category

Early 18th Century European Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver

Renaissance by Christofle France Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 59 pieces
Renaissance by Christofle France Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 59 pieces

Renaissance by Christofle France Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 59 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

Victorian sterling silver christening mug made by Barnards in 1842
Victorian sterling silver christening mug made by Barnards in 1842

Victorian sterling silver christening mug made by Barnards in 1842

By Edward Barnard & Sons

Located in London, London

Hallmarked in London in 1842 by Edward, Edward Junior, John & William Barnard, this charming, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Christening Mug, features ornate floral decoration to...

Category

1840s English Victorian Antique Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling “Rum” Liquor Label
Sterling “Rum” Liquor Label

Sterling “Rum” Liquor Label

By Reed & Barton

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This liquor label is crafted of sterling silver, with the word "Rum" engraved on the front. The perfect tag to put on your favorite decanter or Rum bottle! ...

Category

1960s American Vintage Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Vintage Ice Bucket Arnolfo Di Cambio in Crystal and Metal, 80s Italian Design
Vintage Ice Bucket Arnolfo Di Cambio in Crystal and Metal, 80s Italian Design

Vintage Ice Bucket Arnolfo Di Cambio in Crystal and Metal, 80s Italian Design

By Arnolfo di Cambio

Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT

This vintage ice bucket by Arnolfo di Cambio embodies Italian elegance, crafted in thick crystal with a metal handle and rim that exude sophistication. The structured design reflects...

Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Crystal, Metal

Split Bamboo Tray
Split Bamboo Tray

Split Bamboo Tray

Located in Bradenton, FL

A tray made of split bamboo. Large pieces at each end are carved with curved corners and cartouche shaped handles. The base of the tray is made with split pencil wood bamboo.

Category

Late 20th Century Bohemian Tableware

Materials

Bamboo

Novelty Milk Churn Victorian Sterling Silver Pepper Grinder, Hukin & Heath 1885
Novelty Milk Churn Victorian Sterling Silver Pepper Grinder, Hukin & Heath 1885

Novelty Milk Churn Victorian Sterling Silver Pepper Grinder, Hukin & Heath 1885

By Hukin & Heath

Located in London, London

Hallmarked in London in 1885 by Hukin & Heath, this charming Antique, Victorian, Sterling Silver Pepper Grinder is in the form of a milk churn and features a Peugeot mechanism. The g...

Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of 2 Latin American Antique Folk Art Tea Spoons
Set of 2 Latin American Antique Folk Art Tea Spoons

Set of 2 Latin American Antique Folk Art Tea Spoons

By OWO Ceramics

Located in Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, AR

Handmade antique folk art tea spoons. Featuring beautiful motifs inspired by the indigenous worldview and spirituality, these vintage folk art spoons embody Latin America’s rich cultural heritage. The engraving details on the tea spoons are superb, showcasing intricate patterns and designs that are characteristic of Bolivian folklore art. By seamlessly merging beauty, practicality, and history, these engraved...

Category

20th Century Bolivian Folk Art Tableware

Materials

Silver, Nickel

Antique Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Florentine Pattern Fork
Antique Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Florentine Pattern Fork

Antique Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Florentine Pattern Fork

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Braintree, GB

Antique Tiffany & Co. sterling silver Florentine pattern fork. Maker: Tiffany & Co Pattern: Designed by Paulding Farnham Style: Renaissance Revival Introduced 1900, but the patent application not filed until May 9, 1904, issued June 7, 1904 Since Pat.1900 was incorporated into the dies, the company must have anticipated filing for a patent at least that year. George Paulding Farnham...

Category

Early 1900s American Antique Tableware

Materials

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.