Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century British Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1980s Italian Other Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s Chinese Other Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 1900s Chinese Other Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1910s British Other Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
1980s Italian Other Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1890s German Other Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1890s French Other Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1740s English Other Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s German Other Antique Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
1930s Sri Lankan Other Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
1980s English Other Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
1890s Northern Irish Other Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1990s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1980s Italian Other Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
1970s Italian Other Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1910s English Other Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
19th Century Other Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century Japanese Other Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 2000s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1980s Italian Other Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century European Other Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1920s Danish Other Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
1990s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Crystal, Sterling Silver
20th Century American Other Sterling Silver
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century English Other Sterling Silver
Silver
19th Century Other Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1960s English Other Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver Plate
1970s Italian Other Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
1990s Other Sterling Silver
Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Other Sterling Silver
Silver
2010s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1970s Italian Other Vintage Sterling Silver
Malachite, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 2000s German Other Sterling Silver
Silver
1990s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Silver
1990s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Sterling Silver
Silver
1990s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 2000s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Silver
1980s Italian Other Vintage Sterling Silver
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.