Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Early 1900s Russian Art Nouveau Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Mid-20th Century British Early Victorian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Early 20th Century Chinese Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
20th Century English Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Edwardian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Copper, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Edwardian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver Plate
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
20th Century Danish Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Arts and Crafts Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Retro Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver, Gilt Metal
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s Russian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Vermeil, Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Art Deco Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Victorian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1960s Unknown Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Norwegian Art Deco Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gilt Metal
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century French Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Finnish Modernist Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Crystal, Silver
Early 20th Century Russian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Early 20th Century British Arts and Crafts Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Early 20th Century American Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1910s British Edwardian Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Danish Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1960s British Modern Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Finnish Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Early 20th Century Scottish Edwardian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Agate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Persian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
1930s English George III Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1950s Finnish Modern Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver, Silver
Mid-20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1930s American Art Nouveau Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
20th Century Italian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver Plate, Copper
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1940s American Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
20th Century French Art Deco Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver Plate
1960s Finnish Modern Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
1910s Dutch Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Mid-20th Century American Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1990s Finnish Modernist Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Late 20th Century Finnish Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Copper
Antique and Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silver Plate
While early utensils were often shaped from clay, wood or bone, silversmiths later crafted flatware from precious metal. In the 19th century, mass production of electroplated flatware made silver utensils accessible to the middle class. Now, antique and vintage silver, flatware and silver-plate objects for dining and the home are heritage pieces reflecting this history of design.
Silver spoons were so prized in 15th-century England that people would travel with the valuable utensils. Forks in the 17th century were frequently made with steel and likewise only available to the upper class. Silver flatware continued to be produced in small workshops in the 18th century and was a luxury reserved for the elite. When George I came to the throne in 1714, the silver dining service — including plates, dishes, soup tureens, chargers and sauceboats — became all-important.
Innovative manufacturing techniques such as the electroplating process in the 19th century would transform silversmithing with industrialization. Sheffield plate was used from 1750 to 1880 and involved a fusion method to fabricate everything from knife handles to serveware. French industrial chemist Henri de Ruolz discovered a gilding and silver-plating process for metals in 1841, with the silver-like results so celebrated that Napoleon III ordered a 3,000-piece flatware set. The expansion of table service in the Victorian era also led to an increasing number of flatware and serving pieces in a canteen, or cutlery chest, all with specific uses, from toast forks to butter picks.
While affordable metal flatware is widely available today, historic brands including Gorham Manufacturing Company — whose legendary contribution to the history of silver making started in 1831 — and Christofle continue the tradition of silver and silver-plate flatware.
Browse 1stDibs for both antique and contemporary silver, flatware and silver-plate objects in a range of elegant designs to enhance your dining table.