Tafelware

Tafelware, or tableware, is the collection of items used to set a table and to serve and eat meals. It typically includes dinnerware (plates, bowls, saucers), flatware (knives, forks, spoons), glassware (drinking glasses, cups), and serving pieces (platters, tureens, gravy boats). Materials range from porcelain, bone china, stoneware, and other ceramics to glass, metal (often silver or stainless steel) and, in modern times, durable plastics such as melamine. Some sets mix several materials.

Historically, tableware evolved from functionally simple wares—wood, metal, and coarse pottery—to more refined ceramics. East Asian porcelain development in China and subsequent European adoption, notably Meissen in the 18th century, spurred the production of high-quality dinnerware. By the 19th and 20th centuries, mass production and standardized patterns made tableware widely available, with companies producing sets for everyday use and for formal occasions. Collecting and museum care of antique Tafelware often focus on marks or signatures of manufacturers, regional styles, and the evolution of glazing and decorative techniques.

In everyday use, tableware is arranged in courses and settings that reflect cultural traditions and etiquette, with rules that vary by country and occasion. Care and maintenance depend on material—porcelain and most ceramic bodies are commonly dishwasher-safe, while fine bone china and hand-painted wares may require gentle handling; silverware often requires polishing to prevent tarnish.