It Was Everywhere In The '80s — Now It's The Rare Utensil Set Worth Hunting For

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When most people think about design in the '80s, the first thing that comes to mind is usually bold, bright colors and patterns with geometric, futuristic motifs. However, not everything in this decade was so over-the-top. In fact, some of the most popular styles when it came to everyday things included intricately designed Victorian-inspired engravings that are more reminiscent of the 1880s than the 1980s. Among the many '80s home decor trends that are begging for a comeback is the Hillsborough line of utensils from Lunt Silversmiths. Released from 1980 to 1985, this once-common set is now very hard to come by, making it a worthwhile find for both its rarity and design potential.

Lunt is an American company established in the early 20th century. It is no longer in operation, meaning there is a truly limited supply of its various pieces, which include serving platters, bowls, and other dishware along with a number of silverware sets. The various utensil designs Lunt produced over the years all feature beautiful, delicate silverwork that looks to be inspired by Victorian and Regency era sensibilities; sets often feature highly detailed floral patterns, fleurs-de-lis, and other flourishes. The Hillsborough utensil set is no different, and has a few identifiable features. The base of each piece is engraved with a scalloped seashell, and there are organic-style borders that surround the shell before meeting a couple inches up the handle, where they become adorned and topped with leaf designs. With dozens of Lunt designs out there, your best bet for confirming if you have a Hillsborough on your hands is to cross-reference your find with photos online.

Since Lunt has been out of business since 2016, there isn't much archival information about the company, so it is hard to confirm exactly how many Hillsborough utensil sets were made. However, based on the pricing on secondhand sites like eBay and Replacements, LTD, it's safe to say that you'd need a fair amount of luck to stumble upon this silverware at your local flea market. Individual utensils can go for over $60 each, with complete sets able to be sold for thousands of dollars. Part of these utensils' worth comes from the material, since sterling silver is much more valuable than you think. Based on the pieces for sale online, it looks like another way to tell if you've found a genuine Lunt piece is to check the silver mark on the back of the utensils. It should say "Lunt Stainless 18/8 Japan," although it's unclear if the silverware was partially made in Japan, or if that's where they sourced their silver. Regardless, sets with this stamp are auctioned for quite a bit of cash, so it's worth checking for.

If you, like the original buyers in '80s, are enchanted by the maximalist yet sophisticated look of the Hillsborough utensils, they can also make an excellent addition to your kitchen. After all, silver pieces are on trend for 2026. A bit of soap and water is all you need to get the antique silverware clean enough to use, and even if you're only able to find one piece, there's nothing wrong with having a very special utensil for very special occasions.