Sterling Silver
1910s American Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Art Deco Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century British Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Metal, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 2000s Israeli Modern Sterling Silver
Silver
Late 20th Century American Sterling Silver
Silver
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
1930s Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Cut Steel
1890s English Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Brass
1930s Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
1980s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold Plate
Late 20th Century Israeli Sterling Silver
Silver
1860s Swedish Gustavian Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1880s English Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Enamel
1980s American Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 1900s Antique Sterling Silver
Silver, Enamel
1990s American Sterling Silver
Silver
Late 20th Century American Sterling Silver
Silver
1890s Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
20th Century Sterling Silver
Silver
1970s American Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
1850s Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Late 20th Century European Sterling Silver
Stainless Steel
1820s English Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1840s Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
1870s Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 20th Century Russian Rococo Revival Sterling Silver
Silver
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Sterling Silver
Vermeil, Sterling Silver
1880s English Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Israeli Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 20th Century Dutch Sterling Silver
Silver
Mid-20th Century American Sterling Silver
Silver
Mid-20th Century American Sterling Silver
Silver
1920s Israeli Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 1900s Italian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1780s British Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 20th Century English Sterling Silver
Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Sterling Silver
Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Israeli Sterling Silver
Silver
Mid-19th Century Polish Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Mid-20th Century Israeli Sterling Silver
Silver
Late 20th Century Israeli Sterling Silver
Silver
1910s English Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 1900s American Antique Sterling Silver
Silver, Enamel
1860s English Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Sterling Silver
Vermeil
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Revival Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1950s American Vintage Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1860s English Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
1870s Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
19th Century Russian Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Late 19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Antique Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s German Rococo Revival Antique Sterling Silver
Silver
Vintage, New and Antique Sterling Silver
Dining and entertaining changed drastically when we began to set our tables with sterling silver for holiday gatherings, wedding receptions, engagement parties and, in some of today’s homes, everyday meals.
Often called the “Queen of metals,” silver has been universally adored for thousands of years. It is easy to see why it has always been sought after: It is durable, strong and beautiful. (Louis XIV had tables made entirely of silver.) Sterling silver is an alloy that is made of 92.5 percent silver — the “925” stamp that identifies sterling-silver jewelry refers to this number. The other 7.5 percent in sterling silver is typically sourced from copper.
Neoclassical-style sterling-silver goods in Europe gained popularity in the late 18th century — a taste for sterling-silver tableware as well as tea sets had taken shape — while in the United States, beginning in the 19th century, preparing the dinner table with sterling-silver flatware had become somewhat of a standard practice. Indeed, owning lots of silver goods during the Victorian era was a big deal. Back then, displaying fine silver at home was a status symbol for middle-class American families. And this domestic silver craze meant great profitability for legendary silversmith manufacturers such as Reed & Barton, Gorham Manufacturing Company and the International Silver Company, which was incorporated in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1898, a major hub of silver manufacturing nicknamed “Silver City.”
Today, special occasions might call for ceremonial silver designed by Tiffany & Co. or the seductive sterling-silver cutlery from remarkable Danish silversmith Georg Jensen, but there really doesn’t have to be an event on the calendar to trot out your finest tableware.
Event- and wedding-planning company maestro Tara Guérard says that some “investment pieces,” such as this widely enamored alloy, should see everyday use, and we’re inclined to agree.
“Sterling-silver flatware is a must-have that you can use every single day, even to eat cereal,” she says. “Personally, I want a sterling-silver goblet set for 12 to 20; I would use them every time I had a dinner party. Ultimately, there are no criteria for buying vintage pieces: Buy what you love, and make it work.”
Whether you’re thinking “ceremonial” or “cereal,” browse a versatile collection of vintage, new and antique sterling-silver wares on 1stDibs today.