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!
I am thankful for my family and all of my friends
I am very thankful that I live in a great and free country. I pray that my grandchildren will have the same opportunities that I had.that they along with my relatives and friends have a healthy and safe life.
thankful for a thanksgiving with my family for a first time in over 4 years
I’m thankful for every day I’m alive. I’m a breast cancer survivor. That makes me thankful for the people who helped me through it.
thankful to be alive–just turned 82
I am eternally greatful and thankful for our military and all who serve especially every veteran who served honorably so that all of us can enjoy life in the GREATEST country in the world, the USA!
Since I have a couple of medical conditions that can kill me, I’m thankful for every morning that I can get up and say, “good morning!”
GOOD MORNING! 🙂
I am thankful for my daughter Britney and her boyfriend Steven who will be spending Thanksgiving with me.
I am thankful for God, Family, and Country! Thank you to all of the men and women of our past, present, and future military. God bless America!
I’m thankful for a chance to win free silver.
I am thankful to finally meet a very caring and giving woman. And Thankful to be able to buy metals from such a good source as provident.
I am thankful for God’s love. It is given freely to everyone.
I’m thankful for the love of a beautiful woman who can put up with me. I’m thankful for two amazing children, and thankful for the ability to provide for them all.
Thankful for God’s grace.
I am thankful for my family’s health and happiness. Everyone works hard all year, so it’s nice to get together at the holidays and take a break.
I am thankful for my late Grandmother. She was an inspiration to all! She loved the Lord and lived by example. She peaked my interest in collecting coins and silver at 9 years old. I was adopted into an amazing family and for my birthday got my first uncirculated mint set. She sent these out every year until her passing at 99! Truly a blessing to everyone! I buy panda and koalas every year for my kids! Silver is my favorite!
I am thankful for the higher standard of living for all humans facilitated by as much capitalism as the world can stand.
I’m thankful for my family, my job, and my friends.
I am thankful that after fighting for this country that the Department of Veterans Affairs helps take care of me.
I’m thankful to God for the opportunity to have servered in the USMC, and that both my children followed in my footsteps of being Marines.
This allowed lower class consumers to buy silverware as well.
I am thankful to be part of a great Army unit and to be with my family during this season.
I’m thankful for hope!
I am thankful for the Love, Honesty, amd Respect that still exists in this world. God Bless us all this Holiday Season that has snuck up on us yet again.
I’m grateful that in my retirement my health continues to be good and my family is safe, secure and happy.
I am thankful for my baby boy born this last April
Peace and blessings.
I am thankful for my family & our good health. Best wishes to everyone for a happy & safe Thanksgiving.
I am thankful for family, good friends and neighbors in the Houston area who really stepped up in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Such openness, caring and unconditional giving for strangers. Wish it could be like this all year long. An Astros World Series win certainly helped make a difference after all the destruction and hardship! Go ‘Stros!
I am thankful for Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness…or in my case Stacking Precious Metals with the help of Provident Metals!