Tableware
18th Century English George III Antique Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Tableware
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
1810s British Georgian Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Tableware
Marble, Carrara Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Tableware
Oak
1780s British George III Antique Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Brazilian Minimalist Tableware
Steel
1810s English George III Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver, Silver
Late 20th Century British Georgian Tableware
Sterling Silver
1820s British George IV Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
18th Century English George III Antique Tableware
Silver
1750s British George II Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
18th Century English George III Antique Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
18th Century English George II Antique Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
18th Century English George III Antique Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
18th Century English George I Antique Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
18th Century English George II Antique Tableware
Silver
19th Century English George III Antique Tableware
Silver
1750s English George II Antique Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
19th Century English George III Antique Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Tableware
Porcelain
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tableware
Silver
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Tableware
Brass
1990s American Minimalist Tableware
Ceramic
1790s British Georgian Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Minimalist Tableware
Stainless Steel
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Tableware
Glass
Early 1900s English George II Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
18th Century English Georgian Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
Early 1800s Scottish George III Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
19th Century English George IV Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Minimalist Tableware
Murano Glass
Early 1800s Irish George III Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
1790s George III Antique Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 1800s English George III Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
19th Century British Georgian Antique Tableware
Bronze
Early 19th Century British George III Antique Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
19th Century English Georgian Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Tableware
Glass
1820s British George IV Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
2010s French Minimalist Tableware
Wood, Oak
2010s French Minimalist Tableware
Wood, Maple
20th Century English Georgian Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Minimalist Tableware
Stone
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Minimalist Tableware
Stone
18th Century George III Antique Tableware
Silver
1750s English Georgian Antique Tableware
Pottery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Tableware
Brass
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tableware
Sheffield Plate
18th Century English Georgian Antique Tableware
Sterling Silver
2010s Turkish Minimalist Tableware
Wood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Tableware
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
2010s French Minimalist Tableware
Linen
2010s French Minimalist Tableware
Linen
2010s French Minimalist Tableware
Wood, Bentwood, Walnut
Early 1800s English George III Antique Tableware
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.