Oneida Plate 'Evening Star' Silver-Plated Table Knife
Flatware - Table Knife · Oneida Community / Oneida Silversmiths, an American industrial manufacturer founded in 1848, famous for mass-producing reliable silver-plated flatware and pioneer of the 'Community Plate' line.
Pattern: 'Evening Star', introduced in 1950. This pattern was a cornerstone of the Community Plate line throughout the mid-20th century.
Type
Flatware - Table Knife
Maker
Oneida Community / Oneida Silversmiths, an American industrial manufacturer founded in 1848, famous for mass-producing reliable silver-plated flatware and pioneer of the 'Community Plate' line.
Material
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) handle with a stainless steel blade. It features a heavy silver plating over a base metal of copper, nickel, and zinc.
Dimensions
Standard dinner/table size, approximately 9 to 9.5 inches in length. Weight is approximately 80-90 grams depending on whether the handle is hollow or solid-cast.
Description
This table knife from Oneida's 'Evening Star' collection represents the quintessential American mid-century dining experience. With its clean vertical lines and dainty floral crown, it balances industrial precision with domestic elegance, designed to be durable enough for daily use yet stylish enough for formal entertaining.
Key Features
The distinctive 'Evening Star' flower head at the top of the handle and the clean, parallel vertical grooves running the length of the grip.
Material & Composition
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) handle with a stainless steel blade. It features a heavy silver plating over a base metal of copper, nickel, and zinc.
Finish & Decoration
Satin and mirror polish with Art Deco influences. The design features a stylized floral blossom (star-like) at the bolster, flanked by vertical ribbing or 'speed lines', and a matching accent at the terminal.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Typically stamped 'COMMUNITY' or 'ONEIDA COMMUNITY' on the bolster or blade. The blade is marked 'STAINLESS' signifying it is rust-resistant steel rather than silver.
Construction Details
Machine-made. Two-piece construction where a hollow silver-plated handle is joined to a stainless steel blade tang using cement or resin.
Functional Features
Slightly flared handle terminal for grip; stainless steel blade for modern utility and edge retention compared to 19th-century carbon steel.
Handle & Grip Details
Hollow-handle construction, rounded rectangular cross-section, featuring embossed linear accents for ergonomic texture.
Craftsmanship Details
Characteristic of high-quality industrial die-striking. While it lacks the hand-chased depth of luxury silver, the pattern is crisp and the plating is historically thick ('Community' grade).
Authentication Indicators
Pattern design is specific to Oneida's 1950 catalog. The construction of the bolster and the transition to the stainless blade are consistent with mass-production techniques of the era.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States of America, likely manufactured in Sherrill, New York, where Oneida's primary production facilities were located.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern / Post-War (1950s). The design blends late Art Deco geometric lines with the floral optimism of the 1950s suburbia.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1960. The pattern was most prevalent in bridal registries immediately following its 1950 introduction.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury in post-WWII America, where silver-plated sets allowed the middle class to emulate the formal dining standards of the Victorian elite.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Visible tarnish and 'silver rot'/heavy oxidation near the center. Significant scuffing and surface wear. Residue from adhesive tape or plastic wrap is visible across the middle, which can damage plating if left long-term.
Value Estimate
$5.00 - $12.00 USD per individual knife. Value is primarily functional or as a replacement piece for an existing set; resale value for silver plate is significantly lower than sterling.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver polish like Wright’s Silver Cream. Avoid the dishwasher, as the heat and detergents can loosen the cement holding the blade to the handle. Remove adhesive residue with a gentle solvent like Goo-Gone before polishing.
Similar Pieces
Oneida 'Morning Star' (1948) which has a similar aesthetic but different floral placement; Gorham 'Chantilly' (Sterling) for a higher-end alternative with different proportions.
Interesting Facts
The 'Evening Star' pattern was heavily marketed to 'G.I. Bill' families starting out in new homes; it is one of the most widely collected silver-plated patterns of the 20th century.