Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
1980s Finnish Modern Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century British Early Victorian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century English Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
1950s Russian Retro Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
1970s British Retro Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Yellow Gold, Silver
1980s Finnish Modernist Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Finnish Modernist Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
20th Century Persian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
1840s French Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Italian Classical Greek Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
19th Century English Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1910s Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century German Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Late 19th Century Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
19th Century Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
2010s Italian Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver, Copper, Mixed Metal
1980s Modern Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
20th Century Danish Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
19th Century Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Bronze
20th Century Japanese Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Scottish George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Mexican Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
19th Century British Victorian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sheffield Plate, Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century British George II Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver Plate
2010s Italian Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century Danish Modernist Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
19th Century Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Mid-20th Century American Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
20th Century Chinese Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1890s French Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Early 20th Century Norwegian Art Deco Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver Plate
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Late 20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
19th Century Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Unknown Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1950s Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Mid-19th Century Unknown Gilded Age Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Gilt Metal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling 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.