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Tableware For Sale
Oval Serving Platter Replacement Minton Persian Rose by Royal Doulton
Located in BILBAO, ES
Oval Serving Platter 16" Replacement Flatware & Dinnerware Minton Persian Rose by Royal Doulton Length: 16 3/8 in Crafted In England Hand Wash Request info for flatware and dinerware we sell them individually or in sets We have a full collection that originally was for 24 servings This Kingswood pattern was manufactured for 21 years by the Royal Doulton China...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

"Oak Ring Tray” Oak Minimalist Tray by Aparentment
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The oak ring tray is a minimalist style round shaped centerpiece made of treated Oak, manufactured according to traditional methods.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Tableware

Materials

Oak

Scroll and Bead by Blackinton Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 53 Pcs
Located in Big Bend, WI
Beautiful Scroll and Bead by Blackinton Sterling Silver Flatware set with beaded design - 53 pieces. This set includes: 8 Knives, 8 7/8" 8 Forks, 7 1/...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Rose by Stieff Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 24 Pieces Repousse
Located in Big Bend, WI
Rose by Stieff repoussed sterling silver flatware set of 24 pieces. Great starter set! This set includes: Six knives, 8 7/8", six forks, 6 7/8", six ...
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Chateau Rose by Alvin Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 64 Pcs Dinner
Located in Big Bend, WI
Chateau rose by Alvin sterling silver flatware set, 64 pieces. This set includes: eight dinner size knives, 9 1/2", eight dinner size forks, 7 7/8", eight salad forks, 6 1/2", e...
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Greenbrier by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for Eight Service Dinner Size
Located in Big Bend, WI
Greenbrier by Gorham sterling silver dinner size flatware set of 54 pieces. This set includes: Eight dinner size knives, 9 1/2". Eight dinner siz...
Category

1930s American Vintage Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

A Fine Early 20th Century 152 Piece Austrian Flatware Set by Berndorf Alpacca
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine Early 20th Century 152 Piece Austrian Dinnerware Flatware Set by Berndorfer Metallwaaren-Fabrik, stamped 'Berndorf Alpacca', The Neoclassical Revival style set of Alpacca flatware comprising of: 12 Fish knives 12 Salad forks 12 Salad knives 12 Pasta spoons 12 Dessert spoons 12 Coffee spoons 12 Tea spoons 12 Ice-cream spoons 1 Ice thong 1 Soup ladle 1 Serving spoon 1 Salad spoon 1 Sauce/Gravy ladle 1 Meat carving knife 1 Meat carving fork 1 Salad fork All inside its original lined wooden storage-traveling cabinet. (See all images). Circa: Vienna, 1900-1930. The Alpacca alloy was developed in 1823 by the German chemist Dr. Ernst August Geitner (1783-1852). It was very similar in its appearance to silver, therefore, this new alloy was first called "Argentan". It consisted of 20% nickel, 55% copper and 25% zinc. The new silver-imitating alloy soon became very popular. The Gebrueder Henninger (Henninger Bros.) proposed a similar alloy (5-30% nickel, 45-70% copper and 8-45% zinc with trace amounts of lead, tin and iron) which they called "Neusilber". Later both Argentan and Neusilber were used under the trade name of Alpacca (or Alpakka). The great advantage of the use of Alpacca alloy as the base metal for silver plating is that the appearance of the objects does not change significantly with the wearing away of the silver layer and, unlike sterling silver, it does not require frequent polishing or cleaning due to tarnishing. The earliest known Berndorf Alpacca mark (No.1) was introduced around 1880 and used until 1891. I found it on the bottom of a 30 cl teapot bearing the inscription KRIEAU, which corresponds to the "Wiener Krieau", the famous race course in Vienna. The mark No.1 represents an oval of 3.0 x 3.6 mm size bearing the lettering "BMF ALPACCA" (which means Berndorfer Metallwaaren Fabrik or Berndorf Metalware Factory) with the "M" and "F" letters being fused. Inside the oval there is a profile of a walking bear looking down. This mark is quite rare. BIBLIOGRAPHY - Ingrid Haslinger, Tafelkultur Marke Berndorf, Das Niederoesterreichische Erfolgsunternehmen Arthur Krupps (Ketterl Verlag, Wien, 1998), pp.1-174, (in German). - Dedo von Kerssenbrock-Krosigk and Claudia Kanowski, Modern Art of Metallwork (Berlin: Broehan Museum, 2001), 1-598. - Musterbuch ueber Tafelgeraete in Alpacca-Silber I, Alpacca-Silber II und Alpacca, Unversilbert (Berndorfer Haus, Berlin, 1928), pp.1-53, (in German). - Waltraud Neuwirth, Bluehender Jugendstil Oesterreich, Band 2: Firmen und Marken [Art Nouveau in Blossom - Austria, Vol. 2: Companies and Marks]. Vienna: Selbstverlag Dr. Waltraud Neuwirth, 1991, 1-288 (in German). - David N. Nikogosyan, 2008, Marks of Silverplated Hollowware...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Neoclassical Revival Antique Tableware

Materials

Alpaca, Wood

Royal Husk by CJ Vander English Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service Dinner 107
Located in Big Bend, WI
C.J. Vander was the last of England's preeminent silver firms, creating exceptional silver masterpieces using the time-honored traditions of the silversmith's art. In fact, they were...
Category

Early 20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Cluny by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 60 pieces Dinner
Located in Big Bend, WI
The academic nature in which designer Antione Heller looked to the past for inspiration also stems from the Beaux Arts movement. Cluny takes its name and inspiration from a real plac...
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Grande Imperiale by Buccellati Italy Silver Flatware Set Service 48 pcs Dinner
Located in Big Bend, WI
Handcrafted from sterling silver. Made in Italy by the 18th century house of Buccellati, whose artisans emphasize timeless style, integrity of materials, and pleasure of use when des...
Category

Late 20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Blossom by Carl Poul Petersen Sterling Silver Flatware Set Dinner Service 69 pcs
Located in Big Bend, WI
Carl Poul Petersen was born in Copenhagen in 1895, and from the age of 13 had apprenticed under one of the very the best in silver, Georg Jensen, in his workshop for the necessary 5 ...
Category

1940s American Victorian Vintage Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Onslow by Tuttle Sterling Silver Flatware Service 12 Set 155 pcs Dinner Old
Located in Big Bend, WI
Onslow is finely crafted of heavier weight sterling silver. Impressive in the hand with dramatic pistol handles it is perfect for traditional to transitional table-scapes. This versa...
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Aria by Christofle France Sterling Silver Flatware Service 12 Set 79 pcs in box
Located in Big Bend, WI
With a dedication to perfection and quality, Christofle flatware creations unite craftsmanship and modern technique, resulting in flatware to be handed down through generations. Exc...
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Fiddle Thread & Shell by Various English Sterling Silver Flatware Set 101 pieces
Located in Big Bend, WI
Gorgeous Fiddle Thread & Shell by various makers including George Adams, John Hunt, Robert Roskell (and more) Flatware set, 101 pieces. This set includes: 11 Dinner Size Knives, 9 3...
Category

Early 20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Ecstasy by Amston Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 142 pc Dinner Size
Located in Big Bend, WI
Monumental Dinner and luncheon size Ecstasy by Amston c1951 Sterling silver Flatware set with a sweeping floral design, 142 pieces. This set includes: 12 Dinner Size Knives, 9 5/8" ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Chrysanthemum by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 135 pieces Dinner
Located in Big Bend, WI
One of Durgin's most popular and beautiful patterns is '"Chrysanthemum". The design is of leaves and chrysanthemum buds and blooms on the front. The back displays 2 chrysanthemums in...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Art Nouveau Silver Cutlery Set For 12 People In Original Case, Austria-Hungary
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant cutlery set made of solid silver for twelve people consisting of 95 parts in original wooden box. Dateing: circa 1900 Material: Massive silver '800' Form type: Elegant, s...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Tableware

Materials

Silver

Set of 6 Tostrup Gilt & Enamel Spoons in Original Georg Jensen Case
Located in New York, NY
Set of 6 Midcentury Modern sterling silver demitasse spoons. Made by Tostrup in Norway. Each: Straight and narrow stem with round and shallow bowl. Double-sided gilding. Cobalt ename...
Category

Mid-20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

Grande Baroque by Wallace Sterling Silver Flatware Service 8 Set Gold Vermeil
Located in Big Bend, WI
Grande Baroque by Wallace Sterling Silver flatware set - 32 pieces. Gold flatware is on trend and makes a bold state...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Flatware, Service for 12/5 Piece Setting
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This gorgeous set of sterling silver flatware by Towle Silversmiths is up for sale. The design has a Gothic look and with a curved bo...
Category

2010s American Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Cluny by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Service Massive Set with Vintage Chest
Located in Big Bend, WI
The academic nature in which designer Antione Heller looked to the past for inspiration also stems from the Beaux Arts movement. Cluny takes its name and inspiration from a real plac...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Figural Italian Tre Spade Fish Shaped Wood & Silverplate Pepper Mill or Grinder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Italian designer pepper mill. By Tre Spade. With a dark wooden body and a silver-plated head, fins, and tail. Pepper is placed in the body through an opening under the fin ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Hand Dyed Linen Table Runner, Silver Gray & Indigo Blue
Located in New York, NY
Silver gray linen table runner dyed with indigo in Pleat pattern. Hand-dyed and sewn in New York City. Runner measures approximately 18 x 72 inches. Each linen runner...
Category

2010s American Modern Tableware

Materials

Linen

Arthur Percy Sky Blue Opalescent Glass Cream and Sugar Set, Gullaskruf, 1950s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Swedish midcentury modern light blue glass milk and sugar set. Delicate sky blue tinted textured glass bowl from the Reffla series (re...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

C.J. Vander 994-Piece Silver Flatware Service
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pristine and immense in its breadth, this 994-piece silver set, created by the renowned C.J. Vander of London, is in a class of its own. When silver was the coinage of Great Britain, silver flatware sets became affirmations of economic prosperity and affluence. Only the most prestigious families could afford a set of twelve place settings. This complete Vander service comprised of almost 1,000 grapevine pattern pieces, with service for 60 people for a seated meal and service for 82 people for a buffet, was a monumental commission. All of the pieces are held in a remarkable seven-drawer velvet inlaid mahogany case, emphasizing the grandeur of this exceptional set. Vander created silver masterpieces using the time-honored traditions, now incredibly rare. Known for their elaborate designs and intricate engravings, Vander was one of the last remaining English flatware makers to employ the age-old method of hand forging flatware, where each piece of silver starts out as an ingot and is formed by a silversmith using a Hammer. After the pieces were forged, they would be hammered flat, polished, chased and decorated, and then polished again, all by hand. Though time-consuming, such craftsmanship ensured a product that was superior in every possible way. It was this firm's steadfast commitment to quality that made them the favorite of both royalty and nobility alike throughout Europe. Over 117 pounds of weighable silver, this 994-piece set includes: 82 table forks 82 soup spoons 82 table knives with stainless steel blades 82 dessert forks 82 dessert spoons 82 dessert/cheese knives with stainless steel blades 82 tea spoons 60 fish forks 60 fish knives 60 coffee spoons 60 pastry forks 60 grapefruit spoons 60 butter knives 37 table serving spoon...
Category

20th Century English Tableware

Materials

Silver

Country Style Iron Tray Handcrafted Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Large completely handcrafted rectangular tray in black iron with handles in naturalistic formed iron in the shape of large tree branches. Dark mirror inside. Can be ordered in different seizes. Stamped Sofina. Made by Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel...
Category

2010s Austrian Country Tableware

Materials

Iron

German mid-century modern round ceramic teapot warmer by Arzberg, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
German mid-century modern round ceramic teapot warmer by Arzberg, 1960s Round base teapot warmer in white ceramic. In the center there is a round hole into which you can insert a sma...
Category

1960s Vintage Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

Normandie by Wallace Sterling Silver Flatware Set for Eight Service 52 Pieces
Located in Big Bend, WI
Beautiful Normandie by Wallace sterling silver flatware set, 52 pieces. This set includes: Eight knives, 8 3/4". Eight forks, 7 1/4". Eight salad forks, 6 3/8". Eight teaspoons, 6 1...
Category

1930s American Vintage Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of 6 Swirl Bambous Baccarat Napkin Rings
Located in Mérida, YU
Set of 6 napkin rings made by famous French Crystal Manufacturer Baccarat. Perfect condition. Stamped.
Category

1980s French Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Crystal

Onslow by Marshall Fields Sterling Silver Flatware Set Ten Service 55 Pcs Dinner
Located in Big Bend, WI
Superb Onslow by Marshall Fields (retailer) English sterling silver flatware set of 55 pieces. This set includes: Ten dinner size knives, pistol grip, 9 5/8" Ten dinner size forks, ...
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Duncan & Scobbie Antique Sterling Silver Napkin Rings (Boxed)
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive set of six antique George V English sterling silver napkin rings - boxed; an addition to our dining silverware collection. This exceptional set of antique George V silver...
Category

1930s British Vintage Tableware

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Suisse Langenthal Plates
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unearth the charm of vintage tableware with this striking set of Suisse Langenthal plates. Each plate boasts a captivating modernist design, graced w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

Royal Copenhagen Henriette, Hand Painted Porcelain with Gold Rim, Two Mocha Cups
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Royal Copenhagen, Henriette. Hand-painted porcelain with gold rim. Two mocha cups. Model number 444/8562. First factory quality. In perfect condition. Measures 5.5 x 9.5 cm. Sa...
Category

20th Century Danish Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Large Set of Fine English Minton Rose China, Total of 341 Pieces
Located in Houston, TX
This set is comprised of several sets of the same pattern! Great for large parties 65 dinner plates, 33 luncheon plates 56 dessert plates 53 bread and butter plates 19 fruit bowls 4 dessert bowls 6 large soup bowls...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Breadboard, Antique English Rare Oval Shape, and Carved Knife
Located in Port Chester, NY
This oval shaped bread board is unique. Very charming. The knife that accompanies the cutting board is carved to simulate a sheaf of wheat. With a good sharpening, this is a very usable knife...
Category

19th Century English Antique Tableware

Materials

Metal

Dansk "Artisan" Flatware Set, Service for 8/ 44 pieces
Located in Philadelphia, PA
1970's Dansk Design Flatware Set. Service for 8, 44 pieces! "Artisan" for Dansk, made in Japan. Nice solid weight Set, feels good in your hand! Nice large set! Set includes 2 La...
Category

1970s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Marly by Christofle France Silverplate Flatware Service Set 51 Pcs Dinner Unused
Located in Big Bend, WI
Created in 1897, this pattern owes its name to the Marly Chateau built near Paris by Louis XIV. Marly is one of the most elaborately decorated patterns of the collection; the fine ch...
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

High-Quality Stainless Steel and Horn Tableware Set for 6 by Hubertus Solingen
Located in Vienna, AT
On sale is a set of tableware for six persons. In addition to the set you will receive a pair of large meat cutlery in the same design. All cutlery is crafted in the same style from ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

America by Christofle Silverplate Flatware Service for 18 Dinner Set 123 pieces
Located in Big Bend, WI
With a dedication to perfection and quality, Christofle flatware creations unite craftsmanship and modern technique, resulting in flatware to be handed down through generations. Fo...
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Three Large 18th Century Pewter Soup Spoons, Handcrafted
Located in Sheffield, MA
The three large pewter soup spoons are handcrafted and have flared and ridged handles with stamped oval shapes on the undersides.
Category

Late 18th Century American American Colonial Antique Tableware

Materials

Pewter

Set of English Mintons Cups, circa 1929
Located in Opole, PL
We present you this porcelain set of 11 cups with saucers with the signature of an English manufactory, Mintons. The signature is purple and was used f...
Category

1920s European Vintage Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Salt, Pepper and Sugar Shaker Set by Johnny Mattsson, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Salt, pepper and sugar Shaker set in solid teak designed by Johnny Mattsson for Upsala Slöjd in the 1950s. Scandinavian modern classic in excellent condit...
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Teak

19th Century Baccarat Gilt Bronze & Crystal Double Salt Cellars, a Pair
Located in Atlanta, GA
Excellent pair of gilt bronze double cherub salt cellars! Fully marked to bottom. Each with removable crystal bowls, which i will be including a 5th (incase one breaks!).
Category

19th Century Antique Tableware

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Chic Set of 6 Moser Water Long Drink Glasses Tinted Green Fontana Arte Style
Located in Nierstein am Rhein, DE
Chic set of six water / long drink / cocktail crystal glasses designed and executed in the 1960s by Moser Czechoslovakia. The high end quality of the glass ...
Category

1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Crystal

Travertine Wine Bottle Stand
Located in EINDHOVEN, NB
Put your wine on a style. Crafted entirely from travertine, this wine holder is a beautiful way to put your favorite wine bottle on a kitchen counter or table, and is striking enough...
Category

2010s Tableware

Materials

Travertine

115-Piece Set Silver Plated Tableware - Christofle - Marly
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful vintage canteen with silver plated tableware for 12 persons, made by the French brand Christofle, from the series Marly. - 12 table knives 24,5 cm tall - 12 table forks...
Category

1970s French Louis XV Vintage Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Gorgeous Grey Gardens Dinner Napkin Set of Four
Located in New York, NY
Inspired by the ornamental characteristics of Art Nouveau — its undulating asymmetrical lines delineate Elizabeth Hayt’s signature fantasy flowers entangled with vines, water lilies,...
Category

2010s American Tableware

Materials

Textile

1960 Mexican Set 4 Drinking Glasses Encased in Etched Cutwork Floral Brass Decor
Located in New York, NY
1960s mid-20th century set of 4 organic glasses, entirely handcrafted in Mexico, overlayed in a handmade antique brass open sheath, ornate with an etched cutwork floral and foliage d...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

1960s Mexican Pair Drinking Glasses Encased in Etched Cutwork Floral Brass Decor
Located in New York, NY
1960s mid-20th century pair of organic glasses, entirely handcrafted in Mexico, overlayed in a handmade antique brass open sheath ornate with an etched cutwork floral and foliage dec...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Lava Tray by Slow Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Lava Tray by Slow Design Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 1 x W 26 x H 34 cm. Materials: Glass and pigments. Our mirrors are handmade one by one. This means that each mirror and tray is...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Tableware

Materials

Glass

Set of 4 Vintage Silver Plate Christofle Knife Rests
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of 4 Vintage Silver Plate Christofle Knife Rests. These rests have never been used and are still in their original packaging.
Category

1990s French Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

12 place settings 'Fuga' Scandinavian Modern Flatware by Tias Eckhoff, 1962
Located in Utrecht, NL
Scandinavian Midcentury Modern Flatware design “Fuga” by Norwegian designer Tias Eckhoff for Lundtofte, Denmark 1958-62. Later Gense. 12 place settings, 54 parts - not all shown !! ...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Perles by Christofle France Silverplate Flatware Service 12 Set 48 pcs Dinner
Located in Big Bend, WI
The Louis XVI-style Perles pattern, which features a single delicate line of beading reminiscent of a classic pearl necklace, was introduced in 1876. Launched in 1890, this pattern i...
Category

20th Century Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Christofle French Silverplate Hotel De France Oyster Forks- Set of 6
Located in Ross, CA
Hotel silver oyster /seafood forks crafted by Christofle in France in the 1960's. Made in the Vendome pattern for the Hotel de France.
Category

1960s European French Provincial Vintage Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Travertine Cake Stand
Located in EINDHOVEN, NB
Put your delectable desserts on a pedestal with this gorgeous travertine cake stand from Kiwano. Hand crafted by Turkish artisans, this stylish d...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Tableware

Materials

Travertine

Les Cléments Porcelain Salad Plate
Located in Dallas, TX
Inspired by the geometric patterns featured in Portuguese tiles, the Les Clément Salad Plate will add a layer of cool-ness to your dinner table. Dynamic b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Green Gone Wild Dinner Napkin Set of Four
Located in New York, NY
Inspired by the ornamental characteristics of Art Nouveau — its undulating asymmetrical lines delineate Elizabeth Hayt’s signature fantasy flowers entangled with vines, water lilies,...
Category

2010s American Tableware

Materials

Textile

Red Flower Napkin Ring
Located in New York, NY
Each delicate bloom of carefully crafted silk and velvet rests gracefully on a brass napkin ring fashioned in the shape of a thorned rose stem, evoking a sense of timeless elegance. ...
Category

2010s American Tableware

Materials

Gold Plate, Brass

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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