International Silver 'Revelation' Pattern Silverplate Teaspoon
Flatware (Teaspoon) · International Silver Company (IS), Meriden, Connecticut. Formed in 1898 as a corporation of numerous New England silver manufacturers including Rogers Bros and Meriden Britannia.
Pattern: Revelation (introduced 1938); an Art Deco-influenced floral pattern. Discontinued.
Type
Flatware (Teaspoon)
Maker
International Silver Company (IS), Meriden, Connecticut. Formed in 1898 as a corporation of numerous New England silver manufacturers including Rogers Bros and Meriden Britannia.
Material
Silver plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). The base metal is a non-precious nickel-copper alloy coated with a thin layer of pure silver.
Dimensions
Approximately 6 inches (15.2 cm) in length. Weight is approximately 30-35 grams. Individual teaspoon size.
Description
This 'Revelation' pattern teaspoon by International Silver represents the transition from high Art Deco to mid-century floral motifs. It features a sleek, wedge-shaped handle decorated with delicate rose-style blooms and sweeping scrolls. While a silverplated piece rather than sterling, it captures the elegance of pre-war American table service.
Key Features
Die-struck floral pattern at the base of the handle; 'Revelation' trademark stamp; silverplate construction; Art Deco geometric profile.
Material & Composition
Silver plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). The base metal is a non-precious nickel-copper alloy coated with a thin layer of pure silver.
Finish & Decoration
Satin/brushed finish on the handle with die-struck floral and scroll motifs on the lower terminal. Features a streamlined Art Deco profile typical of the late 1930s.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped 'REVELATION INTERNATIONAL SILVER PLATE' on the reverse of the neck. This indicates trade name and manufacturer rather than silver purity.
Construction Details
Machine-made; drop-forged and die-struck from a base metal sheet, then electroplated. No hand-forging or individual casting.
Functional Features
Standard oval bowl for stirring and eating; flared geometric handle for ergonomic grip. Rigid construction.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid base metal handle, integral to the bowl, flared at the terminal with a single-sided floral pattern. Smooth reverse.
Craftsmanship Details
Mass-produced industrial quality; clean die-striking on the pattern but lacks the depth and 'bite' of hand-chased sterling silver.
Authentication Indicators
Trademark stamp matches known International Silver cataloguing; wear patterns are consistent with electroplated items (wearing through at friction points).
Origin & Manufacturing
USA (likely Meriden, Connecticut). International Silver was the largest flatware manufacturer in the world during this era.
Era & Period
Art Deco / Late Depression Era (late 1930s). Stylistic indicators include the geometric tapering and stylized floral bouquet.
Age Estimate
Circa 1938-1950. The pattern was patented in 1938; the wear suggests mid-20th-century domestic use.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury in American households, where 'fine' looking patterns were made affordable through industrial silver-plating techniques.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good condition. Significant 'plate loss' or 'bleed' is visible in the bowl where the base metal (brass/nickel) is showing through (the yellow/brown spot). General surface tarnish and micro-scratching from use.
Value Estimate
$1.00 - $5.00 USD. Value is minimal due to significant plate loss in the bowl and its common production status.
Care & Maintenance
Gentle hand washing only. Use mild silver polish like Wright's Silver Cream sparingly, as excessive polishing will further remove the thin silver layer and expose more base metal.
Similar Pieces
International Silver 'Gardenia' or 'Prelude' (Sterling version); Oneida Community Plate 'Milady'. Key difference is sterling vs. plate material.
Interesting Facts
The Revelation pattern was often used for promotional sets or mass-market household sales in the late 1930s to make stylish dining accessible during the tail end of the Great Depression.