It Was Everywhere In The '60s — Now It's The Vintage Utensil Set You'd Be Thrilled To Find

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Invented in 1913, stainless steel as flatware was a low-maintenance alternative to the silver and silver-plated designs that had preceded it, but it would take some four decades before its potential would be fully realized. The brand that would prove a game-changer was Oneida. In 1961, Oneida pivoted to stainless steel, and four years later, in 1965, it would introduce the ornate Michelangelo in 18/10 stainless steel — a pattern that would establish what the iron-based alloy was capable of.

In 1961, Oneida released the Chateau pattern under Oneidacraft. This pattern featured the same pierced designs found in sterling and silver-plated pieces; it was a breakthrough that made the case for stainless steel versus silver. An advertisement for the pattern read, "I caught you staring. At my rich, traditional design, my graceful lines, my bright and shining beauty. Easy to see you're a person with — ah, sterling taste. Surprise ... I'm stainless!"

But the Chateau was a simple design compared to what Oneida introduced with the Michelangelo. This pattern, still produced today, is a blend of scrollwork, pierced designs, and deep grooves, with a floral detail toward the end of the handles. Oneida's Michelangelo represents "baroque opulence at its finest," as its official description puts it. While you can buy this classic pattern new today from retailers like Amazon, Lenox, and even The Home Depot, coming across a vintage Michelangelo piece, circa 1965, while thrifting is a special find.

There are plenty of rare utensil sets worth hunting for at thrift stores, estate sales, and yard sales, and you'd certainly count the Oneida Michelangelo in 18/10 stainless steel among them. However, as mentioned already, you can actually buy the Michelangelo new today, as Oneida still manufactures it. And while finding a vintage 1965 piece (like the above gravy ladle) or serving set today would be a thrill, it also might just save you money.

For example, you can find a new 45-piece flatware set in the Michelangelo pattern on Amazon for $379.99, while a five-piece place setting for one is $59.99, giving you a knife, two spoons, and two forks. Over on eBay, meanwhile, you may find something like this previously owned Michelangelo flatware set, comprising 72 pieces with matching serving items, for $274.97.

Th seller doesn't say what year the set is from, and that is actually a question to ask, to know how vintage the piece(s) might be, given that the pattern is still current. When thrifting for Michelangelo, look for the maker's mark, which should read "Rogers" in all capital letters (for William A. Rogers), plus "Oneida Ltd.", engraved on the back of the piece.

In that 1961 Chateau advertisement, it also said, "With a love for the carefree life (my beautiful luster never needs polishing)." And that has been the case for stainless steel from the start, the fact that you can enjoy beautiful pieces without needing to fuss over them. Indeed, with the Oneida Michelangelo flatware set, you're ready to create a lovely and fun tablescape for every occasion.