Tableware
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Tableware
Faience
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Ceramic
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Ceramic
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Ceramic
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Metal, Brass, Zinc
1970s British Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Ceramic
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century English Tableware
Stainless Steel
1970s French Modern Vintage Tableware
Metal, Brass
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Stoneware
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tableware
Sterling Silver
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Stoneware, Wood
Mid-20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
1970s Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
1930s French Art Nouveau Vintage Tableware
Marble, Chrome
1940s Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
1940s Danish Vintage Tableware
Pewter
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Stainless Steel
1970s American Vintage Tableware
Stoneware
1930s Danish Vintage Tableware
Silver
1970s French Vintage Tableware
Stone
1970s French Vintage Tableware
Stone
1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Stainless Steel
1960s Vintage Tableware
Teak
1970s American Vintage Tableware
Stoneware
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Ceramic
1950s American Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Porcelain
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Tableware
Ceramic
1950s French Vintage Tableware
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Tableware
Metal
1960s Vintage Tableware
Teak
1940s Japanese Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
1970s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Tableware
Sterling Silver
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Lucite
Mid-20th Century Danish Tableware
Metal
1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Danish Tableware
Metal
1950s American Vintage Tableware
Gold Plate
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Plastic
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Tableware
Metal
Mid-20th Century German Tableware
Porcelain
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Tableware
Stainless Steel
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Danish Tableware
Metal
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.