Silverware, whether in traditional utensil and flatware form or more broadly as decor, has the range to be reinvented time and time again. For those who favor a cottagecore or eclectic style, the patina of antique silver or pewter can lend tables and shelves a coveted, collected feeling. For modernists, the gleam of silver also has a certain polish and panache to it. As our market editor, Madeline O’Malley, recently explored in depth, a wealth of modern interpretations are also coming to the fore, bringing more playful, experimental, and energetic silhouettes to the genre: Take the wavy handles on Sophie Lou Jacobsen’s serveware or Svensk Tenn’s clever artist-made planters and candlesticks.
Whether you’re looking for traditional pieces or novel takes on the form, the best places to buy silver transform the centuries-old material into something for a modern audience. Below, we’re highlighting our eight favorites.
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Georg Jensen
Known for their sculptural stainless steel forms, it’s no surprise that Scandinavian brand Georg Jensen also crafts some of our favorite silverware. More statement pieces than purely functional items, their offerings are the kinds of investments that newlyweds covet for their registry and that design lovers collect in earnest. You’ll still be able to scoop and slice, but the shapes err on the futuristic end of the design spectrum. The forms are exaggerated and playful, especially their collaboration with furniture designer Arne Jacobsen (of egg chair and series 7 fame).
Christofle
One of the oldest names in luxury tableware, Christofle has been crafting high-quality silverware for nearly 200 years. Originally founded in 1830 as a jewelry house, the brand has continued to bring that honed eye for glamour and craftsmanship to its transition into tableware. Each set, no matter the range, feels even and hefty in the hand. It’s even beloved by Michelin-starred chefs and restaurants around the world. Of course, with this level of notoriety comes a high price tag, but some of our favorite flatware ring up under $300, like the Perle. The dishwasher-safe set boasts subtle detailing around the curved handles that even leftovers feel luxe.
CY Kitchen
What began as a customizable caviar brand quickly morphed into offering a curated vintage silver selection as well. Whether you’re looking for sea-inspired shapes or heirloom-worthy pieces like the footed serving plates, the IYKYK brand, led by Celine Yousefzadeh, is for the modern hostess. Distinct pieces designed to elevate your presentation and tablescape appearance, CY Kitchen has a keen eye for conversation-starting silver.
Sophie Lou Jacobsen
Brooklyn artist Sophie Lou Jacobsen brings a Parisian flair to her tableware pieces. Boasting undulating accents and a high-shine steel finish, the squiggle collection is a cool girl’s ideal. Whether the pitcher is used for beverages or to hold your weekly blooms, the slightly tilted form is softened with a ribbon-inspired handle. The tray is the star of your hosting arsenal. Use it to pass around crisp martinis, or leave it on your table as a centerpiece.
Match Pewter
One of the most well-known houses for pewter and silver, Match Pewter is for the vintage enthusiast. Despite having only been founded in 1995, the pieces are handmade in Italy using traditional techniques. From goblet-esque toothbrush holders and colonial gravy boats to banded pitchers, each of Match’s offerings transcends time. Pewter is famously low maintenance; it slowly patinas, and the frequency with which you polish is totally up to you.
Gohar World
Artist Laila Gohar has a knack for crafting fanciful tableware. Rather than sticking to centerpieces like serveware and vases, Gohar’s silver goods are instead meant to be companions and finishing touches to liven up your tablescape. Small dessert coupes on a tiered base add glamour to the end of a meal, while the crumb catcher (an entertaining essential you didn’t know you needed) ensures that the evening’s wind-down is as intentional as the build-up.
Natalia Criado
Colombian-born artist Natalia Criado specializes in sculptural, silver-plated metalwork. Often paired with colorful stone handles in jasper, marble, and rose quartz, her forms are equally delicate, thanks to the thinness of the metal. Brutalist-leaning yet still design-agnostic, Criado was inspired by Italian craftsmanship and her education in Milan. It’s rare to see such functional objects, like an iPad stand, have such gravitas. We’re equally charmed by her minimal tableware, like this lava-accented coffee cup.
Svenskt Tenn
Swedish brand Svenskt Tenn is widely known for its whimsical textile prints, but it also curates a great selection of silver and pewter decor pieces. From plant pots and vases to candlesticks and objects, there are a slew of enchanting designs to spark your interest. Offering a more experimental take on the material, here you’ll find signature Scandinavian playfulness, like these Eric Ericson face pots or the melted candle holders. This brand is for the person who prefers to make traditions suit them, rather than stick to the rules.