Household silver

Elites in most ancient cultures preferred to eat off precious metals ("plate") at the table; China and Japan were two major exceptions, using lacquerware and later fine pottery, especially porcelain.In Europe the elites dined off metal, usually silver for the rich and pewter or latten for the middling classes, from the ancient Greeks and Romans until the 18th century.In the late Middle Ages and for much of the Early Modern period much of a great person's disposable assets were often in plate, and what was not in use for a given meal was often displayed on a dressoir de parement or buffet (indeed, similar to a large Welsh dresser) in the dining hall.A silverman or silver butler has expertise and professional knowledge of the management, secure storage, use, and cleaning of all silverware, associated tableware, and other paraphernalia for use at military and other special functions.This expertise covers the maintenance, cleaning, proper use, and presentation of these assets to create aesthetically correct layouts for effective ambience at such splendid occasions.
German toilet service of 1743-45, Metropolitan Museum of Art . The set is mostly in silver-gilt , but includes two Japanese export porcelain Imari ware teacups and saucers. For a lady's dressing-table, including items for snacks and hot drinks.
Late Roman spoons, Hoxne Hoard , England
The Vyborgian coffee pot from the 18th century on display in the National Museum of Finland
toilet serviceMetropolitan Museum of Artsilver-giltJapanese export porcelainImari waretablewarecutlerysterling silversilver giltBritannia silverSheffield platecandlestickstea setHoxne HoardlacquerwareporcelainpewterlattentrencherMiddle AgesVyborgianNational Museum of Finlandsumptuary lawsEarly Modern periodWelsh dresserPhilip the GoodDuke of BurgundyIsabella of PortugalCharles V of FranceRoyal Gold CupBritish Museumpatinabutlerbacteriaoligodynamic effect5th Earl of BathThe Armada ServiceFrancis 1stGermain ServiceGorham Manufacturing CompanyHollowareInternational Silver CompanyReed & BartonTiffany & Co.Wallace Silversmiths Inc.Strong, RoyEncyclopædia Britannica