Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
20th Century German Gilded Age Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Russian Modernist Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Enamel
1910s Russian Russian Empire Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Chinese Anglo-Indian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Coral, Turquoise, Silver
Late 20th Century Finnish Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
1950s Finnish Modern Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Early 20th Century Chinese Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
2010s Indian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Jade
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
19th Century Swiss Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Gold, Enamel
19th Century European Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1960s Modern Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
1960s British Modern Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1820s Unknown George IV Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1960s Finnish Modernist Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver, Copper, Mixed Metal
19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
19th Century British Victorian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Lapis Lazuli, Silver Plate
Early 20th Century Scottish Edwardian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Agate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
19th Century Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Gilded Age Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1920s American Art Nouveau Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Mid-20th Century American Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Early 20th Century Norwegian Art Deco Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1860s English Victorian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1970s Italian Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Black Diamond, Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Danish Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1940s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1940s Retro Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver Plate
20th Century Modern Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Russian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver Plate
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Bronze
Early 20th Century Scottish Edwardian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1910s Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s Russian Art Nouveau Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
19th Century German Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Early 20th Century Chinese Aesthetic Movement Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Enamel
20th Century American Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver Plate
20th Century Art Deco Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
20th Century Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
19th Century American Empire Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Russian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian 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.