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Tableware For Sale
19th Century Meissen Porcelain Plate, Reticulated Blue Onion, Germany
19th Century Meissen Porcelain Plate, Reticulated Blue Onion, Germany

19th Century Meissen Porcelain Plate, Reticulated Blue Onion, Germany

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Andernach, DE

The outstanding historical antique Meissen's Blue Onion pattern decoration was originally created around 1730, inspired by East Asian models from the Ming dynasty. This very dinner...

Category

Late 19th Century German Baroque Antique Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

JHQ Group of Dansk Design Fjord Germany and By Present Japan Stainless Flatware
JHQ Group of Dansk Design Fjord Germany and By Present Japan Stainless Flatware

JHQ Group of Dansk Design Fjord Germany and By Present Japan Stainless Flatware

By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard

Located in Miami, FL

Designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs in the 1960s, the iconic Fjord flatware was made with an insert in the center of the teak handles and stainless tops manufactured first ...

Category

1960s German Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Brass ( silvered ) can vienna around 1920s
Brass ( silvered ) can vienna around 1920s

Brass ( silvered ) can vienna around 1920s

Located in Wien, AT

Brass ( silvered ) can vienna around 1920s Original condition

Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Tableware

Materials

Brass

Galanthus Nivalis Wine Glass
Galanthus Nivalis Wine Glass

Galanthus Nivalis Wine Glass

By Simone Crestani

Located in Milan, IT

This glass belongs to a collection of 21 unique pieces, each inspired by a different botanical species and reimagined by Simone Crestani from archival Fratelli Toso drawings. Shaped ...

Category

2010s Italian Tableware

Materials

Glass

Vintage Richard Ginori Pittoria Fiesole Set of 4 Placemats in Box, Hand-made
Vintage Richard Ginori Pittoria Fiesole Set of 4 Placemats in Box, Hand-made

Vintage Richard Ginori Pittoria Fiesole Set of 4 Placemats in Box, Hand-made

By Richard Ginori

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Vintage set of 4 lacquered placemats is decorated in Pittoria Fiesole pattern with rectangular romantic landscape of countryside in Tuscany; a castle, smaller buildings, and trees an...

Category

Late 20th Century English Tableware

Materials

Gold

Hand-Painted Shell Iron Tray
Hand-Painted Shell Iron Tray

Hand-Painted Shell Iron Tray

By Les Ottomans

Located in Milan, IT

Vassoio decorativo in ferro, dipinto a mano

Category

2010s Italian Tableware

Materials

Iron

René Lalique Bowl Plate Dish Oeillets Carnations Created in 1932
René Lalique Bowl Plate Dish Oeillets Carnations Created in 1932

René Lalique Bowl Plate Dish Oeillets Carnations Created in 1932

By René Lalique

Located in NANTES, FR

Oillets Art Deco dish created on July 7, 1932. Pressed molded glass with green patina. Signed Lalique France circa 1950. In perfect condition. Model No. 422 from the Félix Marcillac...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Tableware

Materials

Glass

Jens H. Quistgaard Dual Pepper - Salt Mill & Shaker in Teak, 1960s
Jens H. Quistgaard Dual Pepper - Salt Mill & Shaker in Teak, 1960s

Jens H. Quistgaard Dual Pepper - Salt Mill & Shaker in Teak, 1960s

By Jens Quistgaard

Located in Esbjerg, DK

A Jens Harald Quistgaard design for his own company International Designs of Denmark. This stylish yet versatile dual combination salt & pepper shaker is made from solid teak. Makers...

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Teak

6 French Art Deco Dachshund Basset Hound Knife Rests, Light Blue Glass, 1930s
6 French Art Deco Dachshund Basset Hound Knife Rests, Light Blue Glass, 1930s

6 French Art Deco Dachshund Basset Hound Knife Rests, Light Blue Glass, 1930s

Located in Vienna, AT

A set of 6 utterly charming 1930s Art Deco glass dog rests for knives, featuring a delightful depiction of a dog—possibly a Basset Hound or a Dachshund / Sausage Dog / Wiener Dog. Cr...

Category

1930s Art Deco Vintage Tableware

Materials

Glass

A pair of Silvered Art Deco Can vienna around 1920s
A pair of Silvered Art Deco Can vienna around 1920s

A pair of Silvered Art Deco Can vienna around 1920s

Located in Wien, AT

A pair of Art Deco Can vienna around 1920s Original condition Original wicker on the handles

Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Tableware

Materials

Brass

45-Piece Dinner Set - Leclair Limoges - Classic Design with Gold Laurel Trims
45-Piece Dinner Set - Leclair Limoges - Classic Design with Gold Laurel Trims

45-Piece Dinner Set - Leclair Limoges - Classic Design with Gold Laurel Trims

By Limoges

Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant

A beautiful porcelain dining set, made by the French brand Limoges, complete for 12 people. A classic and timeless design, with gilded edges, a laurel border, and gold accents. The s...

Category

1960s French Empire Vintage Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

68-Piece Dinner Set - Wedgwood - Columbia Gold - Complete for 12
68-Piece Dinner Set - Wedgwood - Columbia Gold - Complete for 12

68-Piece Dinner Set - Wedgwood - Columbia Gold - Complete for 12

By Wedgwood

Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant

A beautiful porcelain dinner set, made by the English brand Wedgwood, from the Columbia Gold series. This service was produced by Wedgwood from 1964 to 1979. This complete set serves...

Category

1960s English Neoclassical Vintage Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Antique 18Pc Mother of Pearl Sterling Silver Fork Knife Fish Flatware Cutlery
Antique 18Pc Mother of Pearl Sterling Silver Fork Knife Fish Flatware Cutlery

Antique 18Pc Mother of Pearl Sterling Silver Fork Knife Fish Flatware Cutlery

Located in Dayton, OH

Early 20th century set of mother of pearl handled 6 table knives, 6 forks, and 6 spreaders. Main set features silverplate blades and collars (blades marked with pseudo hallmark SMS),...

Category

Early 20th Century Tableware

Materials

Metal, Sterling Silver

Mid-century Abert Nicrosil Cutlery and Stand, Italy c.1970
Mid-century Abert Nicrosil Cutlery and Stand, Italy c.1970

Mid-century Abert Nicrosil Cutlery and Stand, Italy c.1970

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT An original mid-century cutlery set and stand by Abert, Italy. Stainless steel with ABS plastic handles and stainless steel stand with black ABS plastic hooks. The set consist...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Silver Plate Flatware Classic Rim pattern 8 Table Settings plus Serving pcs.
Silver Plate Flatware Classic Rim pattern 8 Table Settings plus Serving pcs.

Silver Plate Flatware Classic Rim pattern 8 Table Settings plus Serving pcs.

By Oneida

Located in Miami, FL

Silver plated flatware in the Classic Rim pattern with 8 table settings + serving pieces. There are 5 pc. setting of silverware for 8 people (no soup spoons, 40 pcs.), each compris...

Category

1990s Japanese Modern Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Elegant Antique Empire Style Jardinière with Original Green Glass Liner
Elegant Antique Empire Style Jardinière with Original Green Glass Liner

Elegant Antique Empire Style Jardinière with Original Green Glass Liner

Located in Lisse, NL

Elegant Jardinière with original glass liner, brass bonbonnière for caviar, chocolates, or floral display. Striking and rare Empire-style jardinière or bonbonnière, featuring an orn...

Category

19th Century French Empire Revival Antique Tableware

Materials

Bronze, Brass

12 French Art Deco Dachshund Basset Hound Knife Rests, Rosé Glass, France, 1930s
12 French Art Deco Dachshund Basset Hound Knife Rests, Rosé Glass, France, 1930s

12 French Art Deco Dachshund Basset Hound Knife Rests, Rosé Glass, France, 1930s

Located in Vienna, AT

A set of 12 utterly charming 1930s Art Deco glass dog sculpture knife rests, featuring a delightful depiction of a dog, possibly a Basset Hound or a Dachshund / Sausage Dog / Wiener ...

Category

1930s Art Deco Vintage Tableware

Materials

Glass

Max Meder, Hand Carved Wooden Squirrel Brush & Pan, France, 1950s
Max Meder, Hand Carved Wooden Squirrel Brush & Pan, France, 1950s

Max Meder, Hand Carved Wooden Squirrel Brush & Pan, France, 1950s

By Max Meder

Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR

Large mid-century wooden squirrel brush & pan by Max MEDER (Paris), France, 1950s. Squirrel eating a nut. Noble woods. Measures: Squirrel - Height: 6.7" (17cm), Width : 7.9"(20cm), D...

Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Wood

Gold Plated Flatware 24-piece set in a crystal glass Egg holder L’ambrosia.
Gold Plated Flatware 24-piece set in a crystal glass Egg holder L’ambrosia.

Gold Plated Flatware 24-piece set in a crystal glass Egg holder L’ambrosia.

Located in Glendale, CA

L'Ambrosia is a unique 24-piece cutlery set that comes in a crystal case, bringing elegance to any interior. The extraordinary design of this timeless set allows it to serve as the ...

Category

2010s Modern Tableware

Materials

Crystal, Stainless Steel

Frederiksberg Coat Of Arms, Royal Copenhagen Porcelain, Gilded Toothpick Holder
Frederiksberg Coat Of Arms, Royal Copenhagen Porcelain, Gilded Toothpick Holder

Frederiksberg Coat Of Arms, Royal Copenhagen Porcelain, Gilded Toothpick Holder

By Royal Copenhagen

Located in Rothley, Leicestershire

The Danish municipality of Frederiksberg coat of arms, adorns this elegant toothpick holder by Royal Copenhagen, Denmark White porcelain with gilded decoration Circa 1967 Stamped on ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

1970 Steel Inox Gottingen Italian Space Age Design Flatware Cutlery 18 pieces
1970 Steel Inox Gottingen Italian Space Age Design Flatware Cutlery 18 pieces

1970 Steel Inox Gottingen Italian Space Age Design Flatware Cutlery 18 pieces

Located in Brescia, IT

Space Age Flatware _ set of 18 pieces prod. Gottingen Italy, 1970 Steel Inox Modernist design Very good condiction, light surface scratches spoon: 20x5x1 cm fork: 20x2.5x1 cm knife...

Category

1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Tableware

Materials

Steel

Black Friday- 24-piece Silverware Set in Crystal Glass Egg Case L’ambrosia
Black Friday- 24-piece Silverware Set in Crystal Glass Egg Case L’ambrosia

Black Friday- 24-piece Silverware Set in Crystal Glass Egg Case L’ambrosia

Located in Glendale, CA

L'Ambrosia is a unique 24-piece cutlery set that comes in a crystal case, bringing elegance to any interior. The extraordinary design of this timeless set allows it to serve as the c...

Category

2010s Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rosenthal porcelain dinner service "Maria", Germany 1966
Rosenthal porcelain dinner service "Maria", Germany 1966

Rosenthal porcelain dinner service "Maria", Germany 1966

By Rosenthal

Located in Delft, NL

Rosenthal porcelain dinner service "Maria", Germany 1966 A white porcelain dinner service set by Rosenthal, Germany Dated with the Rosenthal mark of 1966 The romantic set called " M...

Category

20th Century German Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Iris Pseudacorus Glass Flute
Iris Pseudacorus Glass Flute

Iris Pseudacorus Glass Flute

By Simone Crestani

Located in Milan, IT

This glass belongs to a collection of 21 unique pieces, each inspired by a different botanical species and reimagined by Simone Crestani from archival Fratelli Toso drawings. Shaped ...

Category

2010s Italian Tableware

Materials

Glass

Dutch Silver tray by Begeer, Utrecht 1916-1921
Dutch Silver tray by Begeer, Utrecht 1916-1921

Dutch Silver tray by Begeer, Utrecht 1916-1921

By C.J. Begeer

Located in Delft, NL

Dutch Silver tray by Begeer, Utrecht 1916-1921 An oval silver tray with double filet edge by C.J. Begeer, Utrecht with 830/000 purity of silver. Dutch silver hallmarked with 830. Th...

Category

Early 20th Century Tableware

Materials

Silver

Fin Trivet / Tray from Souda, Anodized Gold, in Stock
Fin Trivet / Tray from Souda, Anodized Gold, in Stock

Fin Trivet / Tray from Souda, Anodized Gold, in Stock

By Souda, Shaun Kasperbauer

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Made using a manufacturing process utilized for railways, medical devices, and electronics, the Fin Trivets bring an Industrial touch to your tabletop. Both durable and multifunction...

Category

2010s Chinese Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Vintage Knife Rests, Set of Six Silver Plated Dachshund Dogs, Italy, 20th-C
Vintage Knife Rests, Set of Six Silver Plated Dachshund Dogs, Italy, 20th-C

Vintage Knife Rests, Set of Six Silver Plated Dachshund Dogs, Italy, 20th-C

Located in Valencia, VC

Set of Six Metal Dachshund Cutlery Rests with Original Box A set of six sculptural metal cutlery rests, each cast in the form of a dachshund. Nicely detailed and well-proportioned, ...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Minimalist Tableware

Materials

Metal

“Focus de Luxe” Flatware Set by Folke Arström for Gense, Sweden, 1950s
“Focus de Luxe” Flatware Set by Folke Arström for Gense, Sweden, 1950s

“Focus de Luxe” Flatware Set by Folke Arström for Gense, Sweden, 1950s

By Gense, Folke Arstrom

Located in Knivsta, SE

“Focus de Luxe” Flatware Set by Folke Arström for Gense, Sweden, 1950s A rare and iconic 63-piece “Focus de Luxe” flatware set, designed in 1956 by celebrated Swedish designer Folk...

Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Dior Set of Six Charger Plates in Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite, Italy 1970s
Dior Set of Six Charger Plates in Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite, Italy 1970s

Dior Set of Six Charger Plates in Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite, Italy 1970s

By Dior Home

Located in Roma, IT

Marvelous set of six octagonal charger plates in vibrant tortoiseshell effect lucite. This incredibly stylish and unique set is attributed to a Dior Home production and was produced ...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Lucite, Plexiglass

Hand cut Crystal Saltshaker set Ambrosià (2-piece set: clear & clear)
Hand cut Crystal Saltshaker set Ambrosià (2-piece set: clear & clear)

Hand cut Crystal Saltshaker set Ambrosià (2-piece set: clear & clear)

Located in Glendale, CA

The Ambrosià Crystal Salt & Pepper Shakers are exquisite examples of hand-cut crystal craftsmanship, blending European artistic style with timeless 20th century design. Crafted from ...

Category

2010s Modern Tableware

Materials

Crystal

Fin Trivet / Tray from Souda, Anodized Black, in Stock
Fin Trivet / Tray from Souda, Anodized Black, in Stock

Fin Trivet / Tray from Souda, Anodized Black, in Stock

By Souda, Shaun Kasperbauer

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Made using a manufacturing process utilized for railways, medical devices, and electronics, the Fin Trivets bring an Industrial touch to your tabletop. Both durable and multifunction...

Category

2010s Chinese Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Set of Three, Fin Trivet from Souda, Gold, in Stock
Set of Three, Fin Trivet from Souda, Gold, in Stock

Set of Three, Fin Trivet from Souda, Gold, in Stock

By Souda, Shaun Kasperbauer

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This listing is for 3 Fin Trivets from Souda. Each one is packaged individually. Made using a manufacturing process utilized for railways, medical devices, and electronics, the Fin ...

Category

2010s Chinese Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Extensive 159 Piece Richard Ginori Contessa Porcelain Dinner and Tea Service
Extensive 159 Piece Richard Ginori Contessa Porcelain Dinner and Tea Service

Extensive 159 Piece Richard Ginori Contessa Porcelain Dinner and Tea Service

By Richard Ginori

Located in BROOKLYN, NY

Contessa Brown by RICHARD GINORI 1735 An exceptional and comprehensive porcelain dinner and tea service by Richard Ginori 1735, in the elegant and now-discontinued “Contessa Brown”...

Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Gold

Set of Four French Copper Saucepans with Iron Handles, France 1940
Set of Four French Copper Saucepans with Iron Handles, France 1940

Set of Four French Copper Saucepans with Iron Handles, France 1940

Located in Barcelona, ES

Great collection of antique french graduated hand-forged copper and cast iron cook pans - pots. France, late 19th century to 1930s. The copper pots have cast iron handles. This stun...

Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Tableware

Materials

Copper, Iron

Vintage 1950's French Military Mess Kit with Trunk Industrial Dining Set
Vintage 1950's French Military Mess Kit with Trunk Industrial Dining Set

Vintage 1950's French Military Mess Kit with Trunk Industrial Dining Set

Located in Lafayette, IN

Charming 1950's French military officer's mess kit. Kit appears mostly complete and includes original trunk with all of the items shown in the photos. This set can accomodate rough...

Category

1950s Industrial Vintage Tableware

Materials

Metal

Sterling Silver Condiment Set in Case Blue Glass Salt, Mustard & Pepper Shaker
Sterling Silver Condiment Set in Case Blue Glass Salt, Mustard & Pepper Shaker

Sterling Silver Condiment Set in Case Blue Glass Salt, Mustard & Pepper Shaker

Located in Wembley, GB

Sterling Silver Condiment Set with Blue Glass Liners, English Hallmarked An exquisite English sterling silver condiment set, complete with its original fitted presentation case and f...

Category

Late 19th Century English Art Deco Antique Tableware

Materials

Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver

Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Tableware Dinner Service, Denmark 1961
Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Tableware Dinner Service, Denmark 1961

Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Tableware Dinner Service, Denmark 1961

By Royal Copenhagen

Located in Delft, NL

Royal Copenhagen porcelain tableware dinner service, Denmark 1961 A Royal Copenhagen porcelain dinner service with pattern number 595, the floral golden basket Flowers in the ce...

Category

20th Century Danish Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Ulla Procopé Monumental 172 Piece Set of Iconic Arabia Ruska Tableware 1970s
Ulla Procopé Monumental 172 Piece Set of Iconic Arabia Ruska Tableware 1970s

Ulla Procopé Monumental 172 Piece Set of Iconic Arabia Ruska Tableware 1970s

By Ulla Procope, Arabia

Located in Tilburg, NL

Ulla Procopé Monumental 172 Piece Set of Iconic Arabia Ruska Tableware, Finland, 1970s. This is a very large set of iconic Arabia Ruska tableware, designed by Ulla Procopé in the 19...

Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stoneware

Brass Napkin Holder vienna around 1920s
Brass Napkin Holder vienna around 1920s

Brass Napkin Holder vienna around 1920s

Located in Wien, AT

Brass Napkin Holder vienna around 1920s Brass polished and stove enameled

Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Tableware

Materials

Brass

rectangular pewter butter dish or cheese box with (a new) glass insert 20th ct
rectangular pewter butter dish or cheese box with (a new) glass insert 20th ct

rectangular pewter butter dish or cheese box with (a new) glass insert 20th ct

Located in Landshut, BY

classic rectangular pewter butter dish or cheese box with (a new) glass insert Manufactured in Italy Production Period late 20th century Country of Manufacture Italy H / height...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Other Tableware

Materials

Pewter

Solid Brass Pineapple Covered Container
Solid Brass Pineapple Covered Container

Solid Brass Pineapple Covered Container

Located in New York, NY

Brass Pineapple Shaped Covered Container. Good overall condition. Any dark areas in photos is reflection. Hand polished. 9.5” tall x 4.5” diameter. Any dark spots are shadows from l...

Category

1970s Unknown Hollywood Regency Vintage Tableware

Materials

Brass

Silver plated Antique Napkin Rings, Set of Twelve, Germany 1910s
Silver plated Antique Napkin Rings, Set of Twelve, Germany 1910s

Silver plated Antique Napkin Rings, Set of Twelve, Germany 1910s

Located in Nuernberg, DE

A set of twelve silver plated napkin rings, circa 1910-1930s, attributed to WMF. A nice set of round rings, from the Art Nouveau era. All of them with a nice patina. Can be cleaned f...

Category

20th Century German Art Nouveau Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

WEDGWOOD - Four Embossed Queen's Ware Plates - United Kingdom - Circa 1950's
WEDGWOOD - Four Embossed Queen's Ware Plates - United Kingdom - Circa 1950's

WEDGWOOD - Four Embossed Queen's Ware Plates - United Kingdom - Circa 1950's

By Wedgwood

Located in Chatham, ON

WEDGWOOD - Set of four vintage Embossed Queen's Ware ceramic plates - signed on the back (green printed back stamp circa 1940-1974 and impressed mark) - United Kingdom - circa 1950's...

Category

Mid-20th Century English Victorian Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Punch Bowl Set - Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal - Porcelain
Mid-Century Modern Punch Bowl Set - Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal - Porcelain

Mid-Century Modern Punch Bowl Set - Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal - Porcelain

By Bjorn Wiinblad, Rosenthal

Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant

A beautiful porcelain punch bowl set, made by the German brand Rosenthal. This is a design by the Danish designer Björn Wiinblad, who has had many collaborations with Rosenthal. The ...

Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Fin Trivet from Souda, Black, in Stock
Fin Trivet from Souda, Black, in Stock

Fin Trivet from Souda, Black, in Stock

$15Sale Price / item|75% Off

Fin Trivet from Souda, Black, in Stock

By Souda, Shaun Kasperbauer

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Made using a manufacturing process utilized for railways, medical devices, and electronics, the Fin Trivets bring an Industrial touch to your tabletop....

Category

2010s Chinese Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Set of 21 Hand Painted Jockey Place Card Holders from "21" Club
Set of 21 Hand Painted Jockey Place Card Holders from "21" Club

Set of 21 Hand Painted Jockey Place Card Holders from "21" Club

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Wonderful set of 21 hand painted cast iron jockey place card holders from the Iconic "21" Club of NYC. Multicolored assortment. An exceptionally rare intact set. A true collector's gem.

Category

20th Century American Tableware

Materials

Iron

Lazy Susan Danish Modern Teak Serving Tray or Platter by Digsmed ca. 1965
Lazy Susan Danish Modern Teak Serving Tray or Platter by Digsmed ca. 1965

Lazy Susan Danish Modern Teak Serving Tray or Platter by Digsmed ca. 1965

By Digsmed, Flemming Digsmed

Located in Andernach, DE

Lazy Susan designed by Flemming Digsmed in the 1960s, Danish modern teak swivel/rotating tray, complete with 6 original smokey glass bowls by KH Denmark. A beautiful teak Lazy Susan...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Teak, 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.