For whatever the reason, items of nostalgia are particularly popular these days. The resurgence of antique and vintage furniture has caused people to return to the kinder and gentler days of an imagined past. Items such as antique tableware, antique sterling flatware, and antiques silverware can be found on tables across the country. Victorian antique tableware, in particular, has become quite popular on America's dining tables. This trend takes its inspiration from an interesting period in history. Queen Victoria's reign in England coincided with the Industrial Revolution. In both Europe and America, a prosperous middle class began to rise. The new process of electroplating allowed middle class wives to imitate the aristocracy with elaborate table ornaments. As such, hollow ware and flatware became affordable. Meals became an occasion to display ornate china, silver and glass. Many of the items of Victorian tables are available today. For example, pickle castors can be found in in a variety of shapes and sizes. Antique castor sets, jars for oil, vinegar, and salt & pepper mounted in a glass or silver frame are also available. Every Victorian table had a large, silver-plated or sterling pitcher. Some of the more beautiful pitchers combined sterling and crystal. Bread trays and bowls also came in either plate or sterling. Dessert was served in either fruit baskets with swing handles, quaint cake stands, or delicate demitasse cups and saucers. Today, many people enjoy collecting antique tableware, such as napkin rings and knife rests. Some of these combine the hole for the napkin with silver plated figures of animals or people. Individual napkin rings bear the initials of the original user. They are usually made of sterling silver. |
