Antique silver is always in style | Classic & Christofle silverware for everyday use

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Silverware carries a kind of quiet luxury — cool, polished, reflective, with a depth and history that few materials match. Silver’s reflective surface brightens rooms and adds a luminous accent that complements wood, stone, crystal, ceramic, and fabric. It also adds sophistication, richness and a sense of ritual, complementing all design styles: traditional, modern, or somewhere in between. 

 

The biggest impact is often made when silver collectables are grouped en masse to accentuate the ambience of any space, bringing visual surprise, an elegant touch, and a touch of glamour to every room and everyday life.

At The Crown Collection, our silver pieces aren’t just functional, they’re décor statements; perfect for use and for showing off.

At The Crown Collection, our silver pieces aren’t just functional; they’re décor statements, perfect for both use and display.

Why Christofle matters | A legacy of silver excellence

Founded in Paris in 1830 by Charles Christofle, Christofle has long been regarded as one of the most prestigious silverware houses in the world.

  • Craftsmanship & heritage. Christofle pioneered the use of electroplating in France in 1842 — a technique that enabled high-quality silver plating, making beautiful silverware more accessible while retaining a luxurious feel.
  • Design meets art. Over nearly two centuries, Christofle has collaborated with renowned artists and designers — from the 19th-century sculptors to modern creatives — blending fine craftsmanship with artistic vision. 
  • From royal tables to your home. Once gracing the tables of emperors, kings and aristocrats, Christofle today brings that legacy of elegance into modern homes around the world — transforming meals into refined experiences.

Founded in Paris in 1830 by Charles Christofle, Christofle has long been regarded as one of the most prestigious silverware houses in the world.

Due to this past and ongoing commitment, Christofle silverware is a testament to both investment and lifestyle.

Everyday rituals | Silver tea & coffee sets

There’s something special about serving tea or coffee from a gleaming silver set — it transforms a simple moment into a memorable occasion. 

At The Crown Collection, our classic 19th-century John Turton Victorian Silver-Plated Tea/Coffee Set brings vintage grandeur to the table — perfect for long, lingering breakfasts or formal high-tea afternoons.

If you prefer a slightly more contemporary feel, our Silver Plated Five‑Piece Tea/Coffee Set and Tray With Wooden Handles is ideal: sleek, elegant and functional — great for everyday use or special guest occasions.

When not in use, silver tea and coffee sets make beautiful display pieces.

When not in use, tea and coffee sets make beautiful display pieces.

Placed on a sideboard, open shelf or glass-fronted cabinet – or perhaps against a backdrop of other silver trays – they become a nod to a traditional showcasing of fine tableware

Standing tall | Candelabras & candlesticks 

Candlesticks and candelabras, carved in silver — whether ornate or minimalist — are among the most dramatic ways to add vertical interest and ambience to a home. Silver catches candlelight and magnifies it, projecting warmth and glow.

Arranged on a dining table, mantlepiece, or console in an entryway, silver candelabras announce elegance and heritage. And when paired with tall taper candles — white for a classic look, or coloured for a seasonal mood — they instantly transform even a casual dinner into something special. (Read this blog if you want more inspiration on setting the scene with silver candelabras.) 

Arranged on a dining table, mantlepiece, or console in an entryway, silver candelabras announce elegance and heritage

Browse our beautiful collection.

Tablescaping flair | Trays, cutlery sets & food domes 

Mixing function with display is where antique silver really ‘steps up to the plate’ as a versatile decor item and accessory. 

Silver Trays | The Silent Anchor

A silver tray does more than hold objects — it frames them, transforming loose items on a coffee table, sideboard or drinks cart into a unified, curated vignette. 

A rectangular or oval tray can be used to anchor a coffee table, sideboard or vanity display: perhaps a small vase with seasonal flowers, a scented candle or two, and a stack of books. Or in a kitchen, it could gather oils, salt & pepper, a salt cellar, and maybe a small bowl of fresh herbs — beautiful and useful.

A rectangular or oval tray can be used to anchor a coffee-table, sideboard or vanity display: perhaps a small vase with seasonal flowers, a scented candle or two, and a stack of books.

Our canteen cutlery sets make an ideal base for dinner parties — and for everyday meals that you want to feel a bit elevated.

 (Visit this blog to read more about how to make your silver cutlery ‘shine’ at your next dinner party. )

Food Domes & serving pieces | Drama at the table

There’s something old-worldly and dramatic about serving dishes under silver domes — the little moment of revealing what lies underneath adds ceremony. Silver food domes and cloches, once reserved for aristocratic dining rooms, now bring theatrical flair to modern tables. 

Silver food domes and cloches, once reserved for aristocratic dining rooms, now bring theatrical flair to modern tables.

By pairing silver trays, serving dishes and cloches with polished silver cutlery, you create a completely coordinated, luxurious dining tableau — whether for holiday meals, dinner parties, or intimate dinners.

Large serving pieces, ornate platters, and domes become functional art.

When not in use, many of these also shine as décor: hung on a dining-room wall, displayed on a sideboard, or arranged on an open shelf or cabinet.

Large serving pieces, ornate platters, and domes become functional art.

Maintaining the lustre | ‘Spit & polish’

Silverware looks its best when properly cared for. Because silver is softer than stainless steel, avoid washing the two metals together; the stainless steel can scratch or damage the silver. 

When polishing, rub lengthwise (not in circular motion) to avoid scratches. For intricately detailed items — candlesticks, ornate trays — use a soft brush (e.g. an old toothbrush) to reach crevices.

Over time, the pieces develop patina, and with regular gentle polishing, they retain their glow and integrity.

Avoid letting candle wax drip directly onto silver candlesticks — let the wax cool and harden, then gently remove. For storage: flatware should lie flat and separated (not stacked) to avoid scratches and warping. 

Care nourishes the silver. Over time, the pieces develop patina, and with regular gentle polishing, they retain their glow and integrity.

Silverware at The Crown Collection | The perfect gift

Silverware always makes a statement. That is why silver pieces have endured as timeless and beloved gifting options — for weddings, anniversaries, milestone birthdays, and holiday celebrations. 

Each silverware item carries both sentimental value and practicality, and in many homes, it becomes an heirloom, passed from one generation to the next. 

Whether you’re styling your own space or shopping for thoughtful Christmas or year-round gifts, investing in silverware from The Crown Collection offers timeless beauty, enduring value, and a touch of refined glamour.

If you’re looking to gift a silver piece from our collection, we assure you that we deliver quickly.

Give your decor a silverware twist

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Antique and vintage silverware finds are making a welcome comeback – but not in the way you would think. In an age of upcycling and repurposing objects, decorative silverware hits the decor world with a flourish. Instead of pouring tea from an antique silver teapot, it now becomes a conversation piece as it adorns any surface; bursting forth with roses or tulips. That decorative silver tray? It now comes into its own as a magnetic noticeboard board or a stand for a collection of treasures, glass bottles or alcoholic decanters. 

Polished to a shine or gloriously showcasing an aged patina, silverware adds a rich historical narrative, a gorgeous vintage vibe and an unexpected glam factor. You don’t have to be part of British royalty or the French bourgeoisie to make decorative silver accessories part of your 21st-century interior style story. 

If you are looking for charm, whimsy and sparkly sophistication, then you need to be on the hunt for silverware pieces and make their beauty part of the history of your home.

SIlverware teapots

Mismatched collections

The joy of decorating with silverware is that it doesn’t matter if you don’t find a complete set. It doesn’t even matter if the lid of a silver teapot or sugar bowl has gone astray. Its decorative and functional purpose has been redefined. Arranging various pieces together gives a quirky elegance and a storytelling moment to any space.

A curated collection of mismatched silver items brings a unique decor flavour to a sideboard, table, dressing table or desk. Each piece has its own history and together they bring in a level of repurposed quirkiness and layered elegance that is hard to define. 

VIntage & antique decorative silverware pieces

If you are just starting out with your silverware collection, smaller vanity pieces are a great start as they are relatively more affordable and offer bespoke personality and really pretty organizational solutions. They also bring in the whimsical charm of a bygone era. Fall in love with little silver-topped crystal perfume bottles or a  handheld silver mirror, 

Decorative sIlver trays – in any size or shape – are really trending and the more the merrier. Use them as a reflective base to showcase a collection of objets d’art or hang an assortment on a wall in any configuration. 

Decorative silver trays

And then there are silver cutlery sets. Whether you source a full canteen or a mismatched set, any table setting is suddenly elevated. Life is too short to not make every mealtime a special occasion, so don’t leave your silverware lying in a draw, celebrate it by using it. 

Mix-and-match vignettes

A design distinctive of silverware is its versatility when it comes to combining it with other materials. Balance and harmony occur when pairing a timeless metal such as silver with modern pieces. 

The ‘colour’ of silver also seamlessly enhances all furniture styles – from classic and French country to mid-century modern and sleek contemporary minimalism. It also works in any room in your home.

A collection of silver candlesticks marries so well with glass bottles, concrete-based lamps, wooden photo frames and an ornate gilded mirror. The overall effect is exquisite and yet almost random. 

Candelabra and candlesticks are highly sought after decorative pieces and we have dedicated an entire blog to them.   

Silver candlesticks & candelabra

A silver tray once again comes into its own when doubling up as a drinks tray or bar tray; becoming a really stylish feature in your home. No matter how you mix and match the bottles, the silver tray is the anchor decor feature that makes it all come together so beautifully. A styling tip is to balance high and low bottles, glasses and decanters to ensure an inviting visual landscape. 

SIlverware drinks tray

Silverware moments at The Crown Collection 

Not sure where to start with your silverware collection? The Crown Collection’s handpicked and curated pieces of decorative vintage and antique silverware will captivate you, making you feel like a child in a candy store. With new stock arriving weekly, we are pretty sure that you will find just the right piece to perfectly fit in your space. 

Shop online or in-store at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston.

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