Leave The Pyrex Behind: The Antique Silver Kitchenware Brand That's Worth Finding

If you didn't walk away with at least one item for the kitchen, did you even go antiquing? Passing up retro finds like pale pink Depression glass, Gorham cutlery, and those quintessential Pyrex bowls feels almost disrespectful. Wherever your thrifting endeavors take you next, dig a little deeper for a valuable kitchenware brand that might feel slightly elusive but is completely worthy of your attention: Stieff silver. 

Back in Baltimore in 1892, Charles Clinton Stieff bought out his partner and began the Stieff Company, which specialized in silverware, particularly flatware and decorative pieces. Although it briefly dipped into electronics and the like during WWII, and underwent a few name changes throughout its lifetime, its legacy is rooted in cutlery in three-dimensional Repoussé styles, typically ornate floral accents. The company sold to Lenox in 1990, and its factory closed nine years later. Some renowned Stieff patterns include the ornate scrollwork in Vestalia pieces and beaded details on the Victoria cutlery, which is one of the rarer lines.Nowadays, a single Stieff serving spoon or ladle can run up to nearly $200, making it a covetable brand with a rich history and elegant details — perfect if you're craving a little nostalgia.

To spot valuable antique finds like Stieff silverware, the devil is in the details. While the Repoussé might be a clear indicator, you'll want to check the markings of the flatware, which began roughly in 1901. Early pieces will have a "B" mark or crown before "Stieff" appears on later items. Numbers, shapes, and letters typically coincide with the year in which the piece was made, but the cutlery isn't marked with numerical dates.

Now that you've stocked up on a few forks, spoons, and the like during your latest thrifting haul, it's time to put them to good use, especially now that there is a silver renaissance that emits a sophisticated, old world aura. If you're planning on using your Stieff antiques, learn how to clean tarnished silver-plated silverware before pairing with a tablescape with natural elements, handmade details like doilies, and other grandma chic decor items that are making a comeback. Should you want to decorate with your cutlery, DIYers love displaying them in a trophy to highlight the silverware's beauty and give it an old-timey flair.