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.

Looking for a unique year-end gift? Visit our antique store

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If you are in search of a thoughtful, unique and sentimental gift that will stand the test of time as well as a one-of-a-kind collectible with a low carbon footprint, fascinating backstory and impeccable craftsmanship, then you can only be imagining a timeless statement piece from The Crown Collection; South Africa’s largest antique store offering a curated collection of over 5 000 handpicked decorative items for antique lovers. 

From charming mantel clocks to regal silverware, our treasure trove of antique gifts will leave you spoilt for choice.

Once you’ve invested in an antique gift, you can rest in the knowledge that your recipient won’t receive a duplicate gift from another friend or family member. In addition, antiques not only retain their novelty for years to come, but also become investment pieces that appreciate in value over time and can be passed down through generations.

antique clocks at The Crown Collection antique store

At The Crown Collection, we want to highlight our top picks for festive gifts that are desirable for antique collectors and chic modern interiors alike:

Timeless timepieces

Clocks, as we know them today, originated in mediaeval Europe and were initially exclusively installed in town halls and churches. Only in the 19th and 20th century were clocks refined in their design and used more frequently in homes.

The 21st century has antique clocks serving both functional and ornamental purposes, providing a timeless touch of designer grandeur for any room.

Whether you select a mantel or carriage clock to mingle with other decorative pieces (modern or antique) above the fireplace, a wall clock to create a single focal point, or blend functionality and old-world charm with an Ansonia clock on your study desk, these sought-after timepieces from our antique store become the artwork of interior decor.

The Crown Collection antique gifts

A more ornate and commanding grandfather clock (aka a longcase clock) creates the impression that your home has been designed over time. These prized showpieces work perfectly in entrance halls or to fill an awkward niche or corner. 

Sentimental silverware

The distinctive, versatile and old-world charm of silverware makes it a decor must-have in any home. And with over 250 silverware items on display at our antique store, you are certain to find something special.

Silver cutlery not only has practical value when hosting guests at the dinner table or in the living room, but these pieces of metal art have an additional decorative and stylistic value.

Known as one of the 7 metals of antiquity, you can choose to invest in a pure sterling silver or silver-plated objet d’art to give your home a silverware twist.

From wine coolers to food domes, serving platters to tea trays, cheese dishes to candelabras, simply visit our antique store for a curated selection of antique silverware.

A distinctive feature of silverware is its ability to combine with other materials to either enhance an industrial modern or antique interior – which adds to its versatility as a holiday gift for a variety of recipients.

antique silverware

Silver works as the perfect backdrop to antique crystal glasses and decanters or seamlessly combine it with a contemporary style by using a silver jug or teapot to display fresh flowers or a champagne cooler to store kitchen utensils.

The charming and elegant natural sheen of silverware allows it to complement whites and greys;  creating a refined look or to partner with other metals – like gold or copper – for a more classical look.

Antique silver is never out of fashion and whether purchased now, or handed down through generations, it serves as a thread in family history (always trumping mass-produced pieces).

Silver, in all its manifestations, becomes usable art and a lingering memory of a more elegant and sophisticated past. (We cannot think of a more perfect gift).

Visit The Crown Collection’s antique store

Your journey to find that memorable occasion gift ends when you step inside The Crown Collection. 

Reminiscent of top-notch antique stores in London, Paris or New York, we are the one-stop emporium for any discerning buyer. 

Invest in a silverware piece to add a little decorative bling or an antique clock which showcases the best in artisanal story and craftsmanship.

Shop online or visit our studio at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston.

P.S. If you’re not sure what your loved one is after, give them a gift card to shop at their leisure. 

 

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