The style, appearance and cost of a silver dish, often matched the economic, social and political conditions of the time. The function of the dishes also varied across the periods, where the common factor of the silver dish was originally for holding food. This can be made clear by the name for certain dishes: bread dish, fruit dish, strawberry dish, bon bon dish, preserve dish, caviar dish, etc.
Certain types of silver dishes were created in response to popular food dishes at the time, with some food dishes originating from the French dining experience. For example, in the 16th Century Hors d’oeuvres became very popular. Hors d’oeuvres were originally a type of canape such as a small toasted bread with a savoury topping and were typically served before a meal. Around that time, the Hors d’oeuvres presentation dishes were created, simply to cater for the new food trend.