Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Metal
1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Lapis Lazuli, Silver, Brass
20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver, Brass
1980s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
Mid-20th Century Mexican Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Copper
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1940s English Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Enamel
1980s Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Mexican Sterling Silver
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Abalone
20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Silver Plate
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Metal
1920s American Egyptian Revival Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Brass, Steel
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Metal
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Metal
20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Copper, Silver Plate
20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Copper, Silver
1960s Mexican Vintage Sterling Silver
Amethyst, Silver
Vintage, New and Antique Sterling Silver
Dining and entertaining changed drastically when we began to set our tables with sterling silver for holiday gatherings, wedding receptions, engagement parties and, in some of today’s homes, everyday meals.
Often called the “Queen of metals,” silver has been universally adored for thousands of years. It is easy to see why it has always been sought after: It is durable, strong and beautiful. (Louis XIV had tables made entirely of silver.) Sterling silver is an alloy that is made of 92.5 percent silver — the “925” stamp that identifies sterling-silver jewelry refers to this number. The other 7.5 percent in sterling silver is typically sourced from copper.
Neoclassical-style sterling-silver goods in Europe gained popularity in the late 18th century — a taste for sterling-silver tableware as well as tea sets had taken shape — while in the United States, beginning in the 19th century, preparing the dinner table with sterling-silver flatware had become somewhat of a standard practice. Indeed, owning lots of silver goods during the Victorian era was a big deal. Back then, displaying fine silver at home was a status symbol for middle-class American families. And this domestic silver craze meant great profitability for legendary silversmith manufacturers such as Reed & Barton, Gorham Manufacturing Company and the International Silver Company, which was incorporated in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1898, a major hub of silver manufacturing nicknamed “Silver City.”
Today, special occasions might call for ceremonial silver designed by Tiffany & Co. or the seductive sterling-silver cutlery from remarkable Danish silversmith Georg Jensen, but there really doesn’t have to be an event on the calendar to trot out your finest tableware.
Event- and wedding-planning company maestro Tara Guérard says that some “investment pieces,” such as this widely enamored alloy, should see everyday use, and we’re inclined to agree.
“Sterling-silver flatware is a must-have that you can use every single day, even to eat cereal,” she says. “Personally, I want a sterling-silver goblet set for 12 to 20; I would use them every time I had a dinner party. Ultimately, there are no criteria for buying vintage pieces: Buy what you love, and make it work.”
Whether you’re thinking “ceremonial” or “cereal,” browse a versatile collection of vintage, new and antique sterling-silver wares on 1stDibs today.