Silverware

Silverware, or silver flatware, has had periods of intense popularity amongst times of relative obscurity. Setting a table with sterling silverware has come to symbolize wealth, tradition and celebration. Flatware manufactured from silver not only is beautiful and valuable, but has little-known natural health properties as well.

The Use of Silverware 

Silverware is used to set a formal table for dining. The heavy utensils include the standard fork spoon and knife, but can also include the more obscure and lesser used pieces of flatware including dessert forks, shrimp forks, soup spoons, dessert spoons, salad forks, demitasse spoons, bread knives, cheese knives and many more.

Silverware today can still contain many of these utensils, but the majority of place setting includes a more streamlined collection of dinner forks and knives, salad and dessert utensils and possibly a butter knife. Other items include tea sets and serving utensils, and these are still used in some degree today.

Flatware is most commonly used for fancy dinners with more than one course. Households that have sterling silver use it for dinners on special occasions and holidays, but it can be used at any occasion. Silverware must be washed by hand and polished frequently to remove tarnish. It must also be stored carefully to avoid scratches or dents.

History of Silver Flatware 

While silver has been used for utensils for some time, silver flatware gained its true glory beginning in the mid nineteenth century. It remained something akin to essential until the beginning of World War II. Many consider the Victorian period of the turn of the century something of a flatware craze. New flatware companies opened during this time, and it was not uncommon to own up to one hundred different pieces of flatware.

The Victorians believed it was rude to touch food of any kind with ones fingers, so the necessity of many kinds of utensils became clear. Meals during this time often expanded from two or three courses to possibly ten - all complete with required silverware. It wasn't until the start of World War II that this craze began to die down.

Craftsmen were harder to find during war times and this made silver pieces more expensive. Also many families began to prefer simpler pieces of flatware that were easier to clean. Most silverware was ornate. The cleanliness of the pieces became especially important as more was discovered and health and diseases.

Benefits

Although it is still considered expensive today, sterling silver flatware is an excellent choice. It is beautiful on the table and extremely healthy as well. As it turns out, silver has germ killing properties. It has been used to treat and heal wounds and infections of all kinds, and by eating with silver, there is a greater likelihood of any stray germs being killed before you consume them. A utensil that is beautiful, functional and beneficial.