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’m thankful for my family. Their support has seen me through all the hard times I have face for the pastb5 years.
I am Thankful for my health and family nothing else matters Thank You Jesus God Bless all this holiday.Preys for all.
I am thankful of President Trump for making America Great again!
I’m thankful for my children and my family all healthy and doing well.
I’m so thankful that my wife of 41 years is still with me.
The day after Thanksgiving 6 years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer. That was truly Black Friday for us.
After cemo, radiation, and lots of prayers She was cancer free. Still is. I have that and much more to be thankful for.
I am a homeless veteran, and it is nice to see I can get a chance to win a piece of finely designed, fine silver on veterans day! I am thankful for all other things as well my children and grandchildren, and the fact that I am still alive. It would be a exiting day to win and thankful to receive a limited edition of this round! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, and good luck to all entries for this silver giveaway!
Family & a JOB !!!!!!!
I’m thankful for family and friends to share life with!! Most of all for God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy!!
Absolutely Grateful For Life and All That Entails!~!
Very Thankful for my Life and all those past and present that have participated!~!
Greatfull to the Veterans Administration for the care I have received
Im glad to still be alive. I’m a disabled veteran who in the past three years, beat cancer, had 2 strokes. I’m not going anywhere. I’ve already beaten the worst crap.
My family and my health
I am thankful for all that the good Lord has given me.
My family, friends and to be fortunate enough to live in the greatest Country on planet earth.
Thanks to all who have served this great nation.
I am thankful for a wonderful family, and a decent job.
Many people don’t have food or even roof over their heads, I’m thankful just being alive, having a job, and so lucky to have extra money to buy precious metals.
I am thankful for my friends and family.
my family is thankful for our first home. closing 11/27
I am thankful for my family being my rock as I go through one of the hardest times of my life.
I am most thankful for the love of God, a warm house in the winter, a loving family, and good friends.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
It’s truly hard for me to think about what I’m thankful this year because last year my only son passed away the day after thanksgiving. I sat here for about 10 mins thinking of something but kept thinking of my son. I’m thankful I had 19 years with my wonderful son. I wish I had many more with him but I did get 19yrs.
I am thankful that my friends, family and myself have been blessed with another day of life.
I am thankful and blessed to be living in the greatest country on the face of God’s green earth where commerce and capitalism flourish and where undeserved freedom abounds because of the heroic acts of generations of soldiers who fought and bought our liberty often at the expense of their own lives.
Yes, on this Veteran’s day weekend I am thankful to live in America and to have had the privilege of serving in her Armed Forces, and to remind others to enjoy and appreciate their freedom.
I am thankful for the health and love my family shares.
I am thankful forte health and the love that this family shares..
I am thankful for my family and God blessing me with a good life. My wife has been there in the good and bad and I am so thakful that God put her in my life.
So thankful for my entire life.
The good times and the bad.
It made me stronger, smarter, wiser and kinder.
Lovely coin.
I am thankful to be working, after a layoff after 3 years at humana
Thankful for my life, and that I am able to buy silver
I’m thankful for God my family and friends. Life is truly short and we must try to enjoy every little moment of it.