Thanksgiving is a time for family gatherings, which often means having to impress your mother-in-law or great aunt by throwing a flawless dinner party. Plenty of people take out their nice dinner plates and silverware to prepare for the occasion. But why do we call it silverware? Are utensils really made out of silver?
Though silverware has become more of a generic term to refer to any flatware—knives, forks, and spoons—these utensils were once made of real silver. Of the three main utensils, knives were created first out of flint or obsidian. Early humans used knives for hunting and cutting meat away from the bone. These primitive knives transitioned to bronze, iron, and finally, steel.
Spoons were initially made of wood or shells attached to wooden handles. Metal spoons were later developed for eating and carrying liquids using the same metal used to make knives of the era.
Two-tined forks were introduced in Roman kitchens, but did not become fashionable until the seventeenth century. Forks were later introduced to England in the early 1600s. These forks were made of iron, but the nobility used silver forks. Silver utensils (aka silverware) remained popular among royalty and the very wealthy until the nineteenth century.
By this time, competition among silverware manufacturers grew competitive and the price of silver bullion decreased. This allowed lower class consumers to buy silverware as well. However, the sale of real silverware has steadily declined since WWII. Meals have become less formal over the decades, and flatware made from stainless steel is much more affordable. Yet, some families still enjoy collecting and using utensils made from sterling silver.
Whether you use true silverware or modern flatware made from steel, we hope you enjoy your holiday season! Enter our giveaway by telling us one thing that you’re thankful for this year. Commenting below will serve as your entry for our November giveaway. But remember to keep it classy; inappropriate comments will be deleted and disqualified. Submit your comment (one comment only please) by November 26, 2017. One winner will be randomly selected on November 27, 2017 to receive an NGC antiqued Red Horse of War round with a grade of MS70 from our Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse series.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Thankful for my family
I’m thankful for breath in my lungs!
I’m thankful to be able to watch my children grow up after surviveing my deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
I am thankful that none of the horsemen of the apocalypse have yet knocked on my door.
Family & friends!
Bacon.
I’m thankful for my wonderful family of girls and the gift of life!
I’m thankful for a clear mind.
Thankfull for my beautiful wife and healthy children
I’m thankful for my family…and for the beer that makes me able to tolerate them!
I’m thankful that crooked Hillary (and other creeps) could soon pay for their crimes against humanity!
Thankful for family, friends and good health!
Thankful for today.
Thankful for family
Thankful for family
Family
Health, of course……..
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For our Nation and the men and women in our military, and for God blessings on our nation.
Thankful for my wife and puppy!
I am thankful for my beautiful wife, being able to visit my parents who live on the otherside of the country and for all the blessing God gives me that I too often take for granted.
I’m alive and healthy, which counts for a lot.
I am thankful for my wonderful girlfriend
Thankful for my mom and dad.
I’m thankful for my family and ability to provide for them.
I am always thankful that I have a good job I enjoy and my family is in good health. Whenever things don’t go right, and I want to complain, I stop, and think of three things that are good in my life for every negative. I can always come up with more than three, and I am always thankful for that.
I am thankful for my family. I came from a broken home, but was given a chance through life choices to build the family with my husband that I always wanted.
Family!
The most thankful thing for me is my family health. I know a hand full of people this year that found out that they had cancer.
I’m thankful that my grown children are healthy and pursuing a meaningful life.
I’m thankful to be in a financial situation where I can afford all of the needs and some of the wants. Worrying about whether now is a good time to buy bullion or not is a worry most people will never have. Happy Thanksgiving.
I’m so thankful for Finaly finding my soulmate. At age 50 I really thought it was impossible. Never give up!!!