Definition

• Sterling silver flatware indicates flatware (e.g., forks, knives and spoons) made out of an alloy of at least 92 percent silver and 7 percent of another material for added strength, usually copper.
  
  

History

• Most sterling silver flatware was made between 1840 and 1940 and was largely a European and American trend.
  
  

Components

• Sterling silver flatware sets included the standard knives, forks and spoons, as well as serving utensils. However, as opposed to modern stainless flatware sets, there were multiple variants on each piece: dinner, salad, dessert and seafood forks; tea, soup, and long iced tea spoons and dinner and butter knives.
  
  

Who Used Sterling Flatware?

• Sterling flatware sets were frequently given as bridal gifts and were the mark of an accomplished hostess and a well-set table. The more elaborate and numerous the pieces, the more stylish the hostess would be considered.
  
  

Hallmarks

• All sterling silver flatware pieces are marked with a small design on the back: a hallmark. The hallmark identifies the maker of the silver, the silver content and frequently the time period in which it was crafted.
  
  

Makers

• There were innumerable makers of sterling flatware in its heyday, but these are some of the most well-known: Reed & Barton, Christofle, Tiffany, Wallace, Gorham, Nobility and Sheffield.