Tableware
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Stainless Steel
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Tableware
Gold Plate, Brass
2010s Colombian Tableware
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary French Baroque Tableware
Crystal
Late 18th Century English British Colonial Antique Tableware
Pewter
Early 20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
Early 2000s German Tableware
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Tableware
Silver
20th Century German Hollywood Regency Tableware
Porcelain
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Stainless Steel
20th Century French Hollywood Regency Tableware
Porcelain
2010s Japanese Arts and Crafts Tableware
Cherry
2010s Colombian Tableware
Rattan
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Ceramic
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Metal, Chrome
2010s Colombian Tableware
Rattan
Late 19th Century German Napoleon III Antique Tableware
Silver
2010s Italian Tableware
Leather
19th Century French Antique Tableware
Porcelain
20th Century Danish Tableware
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Stainless Steel
Early 1900s Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
1920s Vintage Tableware
Brass
1890s French Victorian Antique Tableware
Crystal
1990s Italian Tableware
Silver
20th Century American American Classical Tableware
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Tableware
Oak
1910s British Vintage Tableware
Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Sterling Silver
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Tableware
Gold Plate, Brass
1920s Danish Art Nouveau Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
1940s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Tableware
Iron
1940s Danish Art Nouveau Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Minimalist Tableware
Murano Glass
Late 20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Steel
1910s Edwardian Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
20th Century French Art Deco Tableware
Metal
Mid-20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Tableware
Copper, Enamel
19th Century Czech Art Nouveau Antique Tableware
Crystal
20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
1970s Philippine Bohemian Vintage Tableware
Shell, Coconut
Late 20th Century Tableware
Glass
2010s Colombian Tableware
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tableware
Gold
Early 20th Century Tableware
Porcelain
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Silver Plate
20th Century Thai Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Bronze, Nickel
2010s American Modern Tableware
Blown Glass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Brass
20th Century Tableware
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tableware
Brass
2010s Tableware
Stone
1950s Danish Vintage Tableware
Stainless Steel
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Pewter
Mid-20th Century German Tableware
Porcelain
20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
1930s Danish Art Nouveau Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
20th Century English Hollywood Regency Tableware
Porcelain
Early 20th Century American Renaissance Revival Tableware
Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Italian Modern Tableware
Blown Glass
20th Century French Hollywood Regency Tableware
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Tableware
Copper, Iron
20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
1910s Danish Art Nouveau Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Tableware
Porcelain
Early 2000s French Tableware
Porcelain
2010s Italian Tableware
Ceramic
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.
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