Although seemingly humble in use, Silver cutlery (or flatware) has a long and noble history. Pewter or steel were the metals of choice for most eating utensils up until the late 17th Century, but the demand for Silver flatware grew during the 18th Century. In England the Knife, Fork and Spoon combination only gained acceptance during the 17th Century and at that time it was common for people to carry their own utensils for eating. However, the Industrial Revolution of the 18th Century led to a surge in dining rituals and etiquette with some of the leading Silversmiths creating elegantly matching cutlery sets for guests and family. This peaked during the 19th Century.
The rise of Sheffield Plate and Electroplating during the mid 18th and mid 19th Centuries opened up the fashionable dining rituals to the middle and poorer classes who could now acquire the look of Silver without the exorbitant costs. During the 20th Century cutlery slowly became less ornamental and modernist in design and by the end of the 20th Century formal dining had disappeared substantially. Even so there will always remain something special about using antique and vintage Silver flatware even on a daily basis. It reconnects us back to the rituals of the past and often has a warm feel from years of enjoyable eating.
At LoveAntiques we have a fine and ever-changing selection of antique and vintage cutlery for all your dining needs.
Sunnyside Antiques
Silver Plate Grape Shears
£ 68
£ 90
£ 75
£ 85
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Large Victorian Silver Serving Spoon
£ 120
JSA Silver Flatware
Superb 19th Century Dutch Silver & Agate Sugar Spoon
£ 135
JSA Silver Flatware
Rare Set of 6 York Silver Table Forks
£ 525
Andrew Cox Antiques
A Fine 18th Century Silver Soup Ladle
£ 275
£ 1,995
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver and Mother of Pearl Fruit/dessert Service
£ 1,995
AC Silver
Piers Rankin Silver Antiques
Fine Quality Set of Russian Sterling Silver Tea Spoons
£ 325
JSA Silver Flatware
Quality Set of 6 Victorian Silver Fiddle & Thread Table Forks
£ 475
JSA Silver Flatware
Victorian Irish Silver Dessert Fork
£ 55
JSA Silver Flatware
Rare Set of Six Victorian York Silver Dessert Forks
£ 465
JSA Silver Flatware
Superb Set of Six Heavy Quality Silver Soup Spoons
£ 395
JSA Silver Flatware
Fabulous Set of Six Heavy Quality Silver Soup Spoons
£ 395
Doubloon
Georg Jensen Coffee Spoons
£ 145
SW15Collectables
Victorian Silver Bright-Cut Preserve Spoon
£ 45
SW15Collectables
Irish, Georgian Silver, Bottom-Marked Tablespoon
£ 130
SW15Collectables
Victorian Silver Stilton/Cheese Scoop
£ 95
The Antique Magpie
Georg Jensen Silver Gilt & Enamel Commemorative Spoon - Boxed 1973
£ 65
Digby Antiques (Wiltshire)
Rare Georgian Coburg Pattern Knife, Fork & Spoon Set
£ 295
JSA Silver Flatware
Fine 18th Fancyback Silver Tablespoon
£ 175
JSA Silver Flatware
Handsome 18th Century Bottom Marked Silver Tablespoon
£ 145
JSA Silver Flatware
Canteen of Silver Plated Kings Pattern Flatware in Original Box
£ 95
JSA Silver Flatware
Quality Set of 6 Early Victorian Silver Table Forks
£ 445
SW15Collectables
Cased Edwardian Silver Christening Set
£ 130
SW15Collectables
Cased Art Deco Silver & Sky Blue Enamel Teaspoons
£ 140
SW15Collectables
Cased Set of 6 Georgian Silver Teaspoons
£ 120
SW15Collectables
Cased Victorian Christening Set - Spoon & Fork
£ 110
SW15Collectables
Sterling Silver Canadian Province Teaspoons
£ 150
SW15Collectables
Silver Royal Spoons for George V, Edward VIII and George VI
£ 180
SW15Collectables
Mappin & Webb, Antique Set of 6 Silver Teaspoons
£ 95
SW15Collectables
Antique Set of 6 Silver Teaspoons
£ 110
SW15Collectables
Art Deco Silver Christening Set - Cased
£ 75
SW15Collectables
Georgian Silver Fork & Spoon Christening Set - Cased
£ 75
Millers Antiques
74 Piece Mappin & Webb Cutlery
£ 375
JSA Silver Flatware
Attractive George V Silver Mounted Serving Fork
£ 55
JSA Silver Flatware
Handsome Set of 6 Onslow Pattern Silver Dessert Forks
£ 445
JSA Silver Flatware
Extremely Rare Set of 12 Silver Handled Georgian Knives
£ 575
JSA Silver Flatware
Good Set of 6 Silver Onslow Pattern Soup Spoons
£ 445