Skip to main content

Tableware

3
1,018
to
72
522
433
1,018
1,018
1,018
134
132
32
29
10
8
6
6
6
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
187
906
6,084
1,726
1,018
2,140
696
122
249
330
197
335
428
296
123
62
796
657
370
139
112
656
190
164
146
123
34
33
23
17
15
Tableware For Sale
Period: Early 20th Century
Period: Early 1900s
French Colonial Dragon Tray, 1900
By Southeast Asia
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French colonial dragon tray, late 19th - early 20th. Carved and inlaid wood. Two remarkably carved and chiseled dragons forming handles, and a central reserve showing a delicately in...
Category

Early 20th Century Asian Tableware

Materials

Wood

English Regency Silver Plated Urn Twin Handle Coffee Drink Dispenser Samovar
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Regency Silver Plated Urn Twin Handle Coffee Drink Dispenser Samovar. Item features monogram to center (illegible), ornate twin handles...
Category

Early 20th Century Regency Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Georg Jensen, Viking, two cold meat forks/herring forks in 830 silver.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Georg Jensen, Viking, two cold meat forks/herring forks in 830 silver. Stamped with the mark used between 1915-1932. In excellent condition. Dimensions: L 16.0 cm.
Category

1910s Danish Vintage Tableware

Materials

Silver

Georg Jensen, Viking, serving spoon in 830 silver. Dated 1928
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Georg Jensen, Viking, serving spoon in 830 silver. Stamped with 1915-1932 hallmark. Dated 1928. In excellent condition. Dimensions: L 19.1 cm.
Category

1920s Danish Vintage Tableware

Materials

Silver

Antique American Edwardian Horn-Handled 3-Piece Carving Set
Located in New York, NY
American Edwardian 3-piece carving set, ca 1910. This set comprises knife, fork, and sharpener. Each: Ribbed and irregular ebonized horn handle; sterling silver mounts with low-relie...
Category

Early 20th Century American Edwardian Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Georg Jensen, Viking, rare lemon fork in 830 silver.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Georg Jensen, Viking, rare lemon fork in 830 silver. Stamped with 1915-1932 hallmark. In excellent condition. Dimensions: L 13.6 cm x W 3.6 cm.
Category

1910s Danish Vintage Tableware

Materials

Silver

Georg Jensen, Viking, large serving spade in 830 silver.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Georg Jensen, Viking, large serving spade in 830 silver. Stamped with the mark used between 1915-1932. Dated 1928. In excellent condition. Dimensions: L 21.8 cm.
Category

1920s Danish Vintage Tableware

Materials

Silver

Elegant and Refined Art Deco Nickel Silver Napkin Holder, 1920s-1930s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant and Refined Art Deco Nickel Silver Napkin Holder, 1920s-1930s The refined character of this piece, reflected in material choice and form,...
Category

1920s European Art Deco Vintage Tableware

Materials

Nickel

Andrianna Shamaris Antique Coconut Wood Rice Spoon on a Stand
Located in New York, NY
We have a collection of beautiful antique coconut wood spoons set on a stand from Sumatra. All unique and finely hand carved. These can also be used off the stand for serving rice. The price reflects one and the dimensions reflect the top spoon. Full dimensions; 2.5" wide x 4" long x 5" high. Circa 1900. These antique rice...
Category

Early 1900s Primitive Antique Tableware

Materials

Wood, Coconut, Reclaimed Wood

German Solingen J.A. Henckels cutlery set in box, ca 1900
Located in Delft, NL
German Solingen J.A. Henckels cutlery set in box, ca 1900 A 12 person table cutlery with handles of deer antlers. This set is marked with the Henckels logo used from 1900-1969. This set is from the early 1900s. The set has signs of wear and can be seen in the photos. The measurement of the knife is 25 cm long, the metal blade is 2.5 cm wide and the handle approx. 3 cm. The box measures 9 cm high, 48.5 cm wide and 28.5 cm deep. The weight is approx. 3.5 kilos J. A. Henckels is a German knife...
Category

Early 20th Century German Tableware

Materials

Metal

Set of Ten Amber Venetian Glass Bowls or Cups
Located in Stockton, NJ
A set of ten amber Venetian glass bowls or cups. Matching set of plates also available.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Tableware

Materials

Glass

Swedish Art Nouveau Fruit Knife Holder and Knives by G A B
By GAB
Located in Ross, CA
Art Nouveau set of fruit knives made by GAB (Guldsmeds Aktie Bolet) in Sweden sometime around 1900. The stand is a figure of a woman with her arms outstre...
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Art Nouveau Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Sterling Silver Sugar Bowl With Lid - Vanders 1906 - George II Design
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1906 by Henry & Arthur Vander, this attractive, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Sugar Bowl with Cover, is a wonderful reproduction of a George II design. ...
Category

Early 1900s English George II Antique Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Georg Jensen, Viking, set of seven large dinner spoons in 830 silver.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Georg Jensen, Viking, a set of seven large dinner spoons in 830 silver. Stamped with the hallmark used between 1915-1932. In excellent condition. Dimensions: L 20.0 cm.
Category

1910s Danish Vintage Tableware

Materials

Silver

Dolores by Shreve Sterling Silver Flatware Service Dinner Set 71 pcs H monogram
Located in Big Bend, WI
Dolores by Shreve sterling silver Dinner size Flatware set - 71 pieces. This Arts & Crafts pattern was introduced in the year 1909 and features a unique raised border. This set inclu...
Category

Early 20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique 1920s Sterling Silver Presentation Spoon
By Alwyn Carr
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English cast sterling silver presentation spoon made by Alwyn Carr; an addition to our Arts and Crafts silverware...
Category

1920s British Arts and Crafts Vintage Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Secession basket by Hans Offner for W&G
By Wolkenstein & Glückselig, Hans Ofner
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession brass silverplated basket with glass inlay by Hans Ofner for Wolkenstein und Glückseelig.
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Tableware

Materials

Brass

Very rare jugendstil butterdose by Joseph Maria Olbrich for WMF
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Very rare jugendstil butterdose by Joseph Maria Olbrich for WMF -Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik. Very good original condition with original green colored blown glass, combination...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Tableware

Materials

Brass, Copper

Brass secessionist baskets and toothpick holder by Hans Ofner/Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Brass secessionist baskets and toothpick holder by Hans Ofner/Josef Hoffmann with glass inserts in original vintage condition.
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Tableware

Materials

Brass

Set 12 pcs. French Limoges Porcelain Espresso Cups/Saucers
Located in Vilnius, LT
The set of 12 pcs. espresso cups by French Limoges porcelain in glazed porcelain decorated with green, black and gold decor. Marked Limoges France. Measures: Cup H 5.4 x 5.3 cm, sauc...
Category

Early 20th Century French Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Georg Jensen Beaded. Four cold meat forks in 830 silver. Early 1915-1930
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Georg Jensen Beaded. Four cold meat forks in 830 silver. Early 1915-1930 Hallmark. In excellent condition. Dimensions: L 13.6 cm.
Category

1910s Danish Vintage Tableware

Materials

Silver

Georg Jensen Beaded. Two meat forks in 830 silver. 1915-1930
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Georg Jensen Beaded. Two meat forks in 830 silver. 1915-1930 hallmark. In excellent condition. Dimensions: L 18.2 cm.
Category

1910s Danish Vintage Tableware

Materials

Silver

Edwardian Sterling Silver Bird Pepperettes
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, antique Edwardian English sterling silver pepperettes modelled in the form of birds; an addition to our collectable silver collection These exce...
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Secession sugar bowl by Jutta Sika and Kolo Moser by Argentor Wien
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession sugar bowl by Jutta Sika and Kolo Moser signed on the bottom with Argentor hallmark. Silverplated alpacca with blown glass insert.
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Tableware

Materials

Alpaca, Blown Glass

6 Antique Assorted Native American Sterling Silver Souvenir Spoons 93g
Located in Dayton, OH
Lot of 6 antique / vintage sterling silver Western souvenir spoons featuring Native American figures / motifs. Makers include Paye & Baker, Colorado Silver, Lunt Silversmiths, Mechan...
Category

Early 20th Century Native American Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Vendome by Peter Hertz Danish Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 51 Pcs
Located in Big Bend, WI
Peter Hertz opened this workshop in 1834 and for a period of time had a location in Ostergrade but eventually settled on the corner of Kobmagergrade and Kronpirnsengrade in Copenhage...
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

4 Antique Baroque Reticulated Sterling Silver 925 Souvenir Tea Spoons 75g 6"
Located in Dayton, OH
"Lot of four antique sterling silver souvenir tea spoons – The Montezuma, Las Vegas Hot Springs by Alvin Sterling, Whiting Manufacturing Imperial Queen pattern (introduced 1893) with monogram, Wisconsin Dells, Hornets Nest by Lunt Silversmiths, and Granford engraved Georgian pattern (first produced 1898) by Towle Silversmiths. ""The Alvin Corporation was founded by Wm. H. Jamoneau in 1886 as Alvin Mfg Co in Irvington, New Jersey. The firm changed to Alvin-Beiderhase Co (c. 1893) under the management of Wm. H. Jamoneau, Henry H. Leibe and George B. Beiderhase moving in 1895 to Sag Harbour, Long Island. In 1897 Alvin-Beiderhase Co, maker of Official World Fair souvenir spoons for 1893-94 Chicago Columbian Exposition, was purchased by Joseph Fahys & Co (watch-case manufacturer) operating as a branch until 1910. In 1919 the name changed to Alvin Silver Co until 1928 when assets, dies and patterns were purchased by Gorham Corporation operating in Providence plant as a separated division of Gorham under the name of Alvin Corporation."" ""Whiting Manufacturing Co traces its origin to the firm Tifft & Whiting formed in 1840 by Albert C. Tifft and William Dean Whiting. After the retirement of Tifft the firm changed to Whiting & Gooding (& Co) in 1853, Whiting Fessenden & Cowan (1858), Tifft Whiting & Co (1859, re-entering of Tifft), Whiting Cowan & Bowen (1864) until its forming as Whiting Manufacturing Co in 1866. The factory, located in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, was destroyed by a fire in 1875. What was salvaged by the ruins was acquired by F, Jones and the production transferred to New York combining its manufacturing operations and offices into one building at 692-694 Broadway at Fourth Street. The company was purchased by Gorham in 1924 and the production transferred to Providence, Rhode Island. Whiting had relatively small production output but produced exceptional handmade silverware in relatively small quantities. The Company's most famous and important designer was Charles Osborne. In the 1880's he worked for Tiffany for a period of time before returning to Whiting. His designs are some of the most important of the American aesthetic movement. From 1905 to 1924 the firm marked its production with date symbols. Whiting was absorbed by Gorham in 1926."" ""Lunt Silversmiths began its activity and was incorporated in Greenfield, MA in 1902 as Rogers, Lunt & Bowlen Company. The firm succeeded to A. F. Towle & Son Co purchasing its tools, machinery, trademarks and good-will. The business was managed by George E. Rogers (1849-1915, President and major investor), George Colby Lunt (Treasurer and General Manager) and William Caldwell Bowlen (1868-1934, Vice President and supervisor of manufacturing until his retirement in 1929). George C. Lunt and William C. Bowlen were both qualified members of the staff of the defunct Towle's factory. The company would become a celebrated domestic designer and producer of flatware, hollowware, and giftware for generations to come remaining in Lunt family hands for more than 100 years, making it the oldest continuously operating family-owned silver company in the United States. On April 4, 1912 the RLB trademark obtained the U.S. federal registration under the serial number of 71062653. In 1935 Rogers, Lunt & Bowlen Company's name was shortened to Lunt Silversmiths. In 1957 Lunt Silversmiths acquired King Silver Co and its subsidiary Richard Dimes Company of South Boston, Ma. Lunt Silversmiths had in its inventory a wide array of flatware patterns as Alexandra, American Directoire, American Victorian, Belle...
Category

Early 20th Century Baroque Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Secession brass bowl by Jutta Sika and Kolo Moser
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession brass bowl by Jutta Sika and Kolo Moser. Silverplated brass. Signed on the bottom by manufacturer W&G probably Wolkenstein & Glückseelig.
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Tableware

Materials

Brass

French Art Nouveau Cheese & Fruit Forks and Knives, set of 24
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of twenty-four Art Nouveau period forks and knives made by Dominique Capmartin, circa 1900 – 1910. Sized for the cheese and fruit or dessert courses for the French table, the...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

Art Deco Sterling Silver & Mother Of Pearl Dessert Set - Sheffield 1929
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Sheffield in 1929 by Cooper Brothers & Sons, this very elegant, Mother of Pearl & Sterling Silver Dessert Set, is plain in design, an...
Category

1920s English Art Deco Vintage Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Japanese Meiji Era Cloisonne Enamel Napking Ring
Located in New York, 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

Sterling Silver Repousse Salt Shakers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A pair of sterling silver salt shakers in the “Repousse” pattern by S. Kirk & Sons of Baltimore. “Repousse” is synonymous with S. Kirk & Sons; it is there...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

1924 René Lalique - Tablewares Plates Bowl Coquilles Shells Glass Blue Patina
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Set of tablewares plates and bowl "Coquilles" made in glass with blue patina by René Lalique in 1924. Signature on each piece. All pieces are in perfect condition - very light scrat...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Tableware

Materials

Glass

Antique Wide Gold Trim Dinner Service with 22 Dinner Plates, 56 Pieces Total
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful porcelain set with a floral scroll 24 karat gilt decorated collar and the salad or dessert plates featuring a central medallion. Made and decorated by the Royal Bavarian ...
Category

1920s German Vintage Tableware

Materials

Gold

P. Dauphin, Paris, six Art Nouveau faience plates with flowers and gold rim
Located in Copenhagen, DK
P. Dauphin, Paris, a set of six Art Nouveau faience plates decorated with flowers and gold rim. Early 20th c. Marked. In excellent condition. Dimensions: D 21.0 cm.
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Tableware

Materials

Faience

Set of Five Danish Salt Spoons in Silver, Approx, 1920s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A set of five Danish salt spoons in silver. Approx. 1920s. Stamped 830 S Initials T.B and more. In excellent condition with light oxidation. Measurements: L 5.0 cm.
Category

1920s Danish Vintage Tableware

Materials

Silver

1921 René Lalique - Bowl Poissons - Fishes Clear Glass
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Bowl "Poissons" (fishes) made in clear glass by René Lalique in 1921. Molded signature. Perfect condition - some very light scratches from use. height: 8.5 cm diameter: 24 cm Féli...
Category

1920s European Art Deco Vintage Tableware

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Wedgwood by International Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 40 Pieces
Located in Big Bend, WI
Beautiful, heirloom quality Wedgwood by International sterling silver flatware set - 40 pieces. This set includes: Eight knives, 8 3/4". Eight forks, 7 1/4". Eight salad forks, 6 1/...
Category

1920s Vintage Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Japanese Meiji Era Cloisonne Enamel Napkin Rings
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji Era copper and enamel napkin ring. Circa: early 20th century. The ware is enameled with polychrome images of Phoenix birds surrounded by foliage, and scroll...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Tableware

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Vintage Silver Plate Egg Warmer
Located in Wilton, CT
Vintage egg warmer, circa 1920, in silver plate, featuring three dragons on scrolled legs of the warmer base. Once a desirable table piece for elegant dinin...
Category

1920s English Late Victorian Vintage Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Set of 8 KPM Wide Rim Soups, Each Hand-Painted With a Different Flower Bouquet
Located in Boston, MA
Set of eight beautiful KPM wide rim soup bowls with different central museum quality hand-painted floral bouquets on each bowl. KPM is also known as the Konigliche Porzellan-Manufakt...
Category

Early 20th Century German Romantic Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 8 KPM Luncheon Plates Each Hand-Painted with a Different Flower Bouquet
Located in Boston, MA
This is a gorgeous set of KPM luncheon or dessert plates. Each KPM plate has a different central bright colored bouquet of flowers. Each flower bouquet is ma...
Category

1910s German Romantic Vintage Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen, Three Plates, Blue Onion Pattern, Early 20th Century
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Meissen, three plates - Blue Onion pattern. Early 20th century. Marked. First sorting. Small plate in third grade. Dimensions: D 18.0 and D 20.0 cm.
Category

Early 20th Century German Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Gio Ponti Coffee Maker, 1940
Located in Milano, IT
Gio Ponti - Caffettiera disegnata dal Architetto Gio Ponti è prodotta dai Fratelli Calderoni a Milano negli anni 40. Materiale : Alpacca Argentata.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Arts and Crafts Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Brutalist , Vintage Wooden Chopping Board
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Brutalist,Antique Wooden Cutting Board from Italy with handle, XL wooden plank with time worn patina on both sides, great appearance and can still be used in the kitchen or just as d...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Tableware

Materials

Fruitwood

1924 René Lalique - Tablewares Bowls Coquilles Shells Glass With Blue Patina
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Set of tablewares bowls "Shells" made in glass with blue patina by René Lalique in 1924. Signature on each piece. All pieces are in perfect condition. Set of 8 pieces including: - ...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Tableware

Materials

Glass

WMF Butterfly Serviette Ring Art Nouveau, C.1906
Located in Toronto, Ontario
WMF Art Nouveau old silver pewter finish Butterfly Serviette Ring, circa 1906. The Ring of large pierced foliate design, centering a cartouche engraved Thure flanked on either side w...
Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Tableware

Materials

Pewter

Set of Porcelain Knife Rests and Salt Cellars in a Duck Shaped and signed ROBJ
By ROBJ
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An unusual and very charming table set consisting of six Art-Deco style duck-shaped porcelain knife rests, and two small salt cellars with their original tiny spoons...
Category

Early 20th Century French Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Shelley Art Deco Coffee/Espresso Set for 4 Trees with Sun Shining
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a classic early Shelley design with an Art Deco aesthetic. It includes the following pieces all in excellent condition. 4 Cups, 2.5" x 2.5", 4 Saucers, 4.5" x 0.5", 1 Crea...
Category

1910s English Art Deco Vintage Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Unique Antique Asian Hand Carved Bone Salt and Pepper Shakers Set
Located in Greer, SC
Beautifully hand carved bone salt and pepper shakers with light inkwork. Either Japanese or Chinese, possibly representing the Seven Lucky ...
Category

Early 20th Century Asian Other Tableware

Materials

Bone

Champagne Cooler Style, Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, Liberty, Year: 1900, Signed Wmf
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Champagne cooler WMF Style: Art Nouveau year: 1900 Country: Germany Materials: silver plated Several of the WMF objects can be seen in museums We have specialized in the sale...
Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Tableware

Materials

Metal

Antique Sterling Silver Coffee or Tea Spoon Set with Figural Handles & Case
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique tea of coffee spoon set was made by the Robert Stebbings silver firm of England in approximately 1900 in the period Edwardian style. The...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Tableware

Materials

Gold, Sterling Silver

Edwardian Three Tier Silver Plated Plate Stand
Located in Montreal, QC
An item redolent of another age, this cake stand was originally made for afternoon tea, scones, petit fours, cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off, crumpets and slices of cake....
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

English Regency Trophy Cup Silver Plated Laurel Course Horse Race Award Samovar
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Regency Twin Handle Trophy Cup Silver Plated Award Beverage Dispenser Samovar. Item featured is engraved "Laurel Race Course, The Mason Dix...
Category

Early 1900s Regency Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

10 Antique Assorted Sterling Silver Twisted Scalloped Serving Spoons 184g
Located in Dayton, OH
Lot of 10 antique sterling and one 800 silver sugar / tea spoons in a variety of styles and designs including shell bowls, twisted handles, floral motifs and one enameled. Makers inc...
Category

Early 20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Tiffany Chrysanthemum Sterling Silver Oyster Ladle
Located in New York, NY
Chrysanthemum sterling silver oyster ladle. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1920. Round bowl with twisted fluting and curved and reeded stem with d...
Category

Early 20th Century American Japonisme Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of 10 Porcelain Cakeplates Art Nouveau by Haviland Limoges
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful set of 10 porcelain cake plates from the French brand Haviland Limoges. The plates have curved edges and are richly decorated with various images of flowers, butterflies an...
Category

1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

1924 René Lalique - Set Of Three Bowls Coquilles Opalescent Glass
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Set of 3 (three) bowls "Coquilles" made in opalescent glass by René Lalique in 1924. Signature on each piece. All pieces are in perfect condition. 3-piece set including: - 1 bowl -...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Tableware

Materials

Glass

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.

Recently Viewed

View All