Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Late 18th Century British George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
1980s British Georgian Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
18th Century British George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 18th Century British George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver, Silver
18th Century British George II Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
18th Century British George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 1900s German Rococo Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
1930s English George V Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Enamel
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sheffield Plate
Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver, Gilt Metal
1760s British George II Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s German Rococo Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Early 1900s Russian Rococo Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
18th Century American George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
19th Century English George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver Plate
Late 20th Century English Georgian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Mid-18th Century British Georgian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Georgian Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Early 19th Century British George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
1720s English George II Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Britannia Standard Silver
Mid-18th Century British George II Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver Plate
1730s English George II Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1790s English George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century German George IV Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver Plate, Copper
Early 19th Century Scottish George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Mid-18th Century British Georgian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
18th Century French Georgian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Early 20th Century British Rococo Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1820s German George IV Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Mid-18th Century British Georgian Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century British George II Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1820s Unknown George IV Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
18th Century British George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Late 18th Century British George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Austrian Rococo Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Rock Crystal, Silver
1790s British George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1820s British George IV Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Sterling Silver
1770s English George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Early 19th Century British George II Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver, Gilt Metal
18th Century British George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
1980s British Georgian Vintage Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
1810s British George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century British George III Antique Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Sheffield Plate
Late 20th Century American Georgian 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.