Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
1990s Israeli Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Ruby, Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Enamel
Late 20th Century European Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
1820s Spanish Neoclassical Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1880s American Early Victorian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1890s American Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century German Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Mid-20th Century American Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 1800s Victorian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
1940s American Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
1950s Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
1910s American Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
19th Century Unknown Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1910s American Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1930s British Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1990s British Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1880s American Aesthetic Movement Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver, Mixed Metal
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1960s Finnish Modernist Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
1890s Art Nouveau Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Japanese Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Crystal, Silver
Late 20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Gold, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Victorian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
19th Century Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver Plate
19th Century Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s Austrian Edwardian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1940s American Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Canadian Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1830s French Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Niello
1970s Finnish Modern Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver, Gilt Metal
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
2010s Russian Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Jade, Ruby, Silver
Early 1900s American Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver, Enamel
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1940s Japanese Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
19th Century Russian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
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.