The Steubenville Silver Co. Late Victorian Silver-Plated Hollowware Piece
Hollowware · The Steubenville Silver Co. (not to be confused with Steuben Glass). This was an American manufacturer based in Steubenville, Ohio, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily producing silver-plated domestic items.
Pattern: Design No. 914. This is a numeric catalog reference rather than a named pattern, typical for middle-market American silver plate of the industrial era.
Type
Hollowware
Maker
The Steubenville Silver Co. (not to be confused with Steuben Glass). This was an American manufacturer based in Steubenville, Ohio, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily producing silver-plated domestic items.
Material
Silver Plate on white metal or brass base. The absence of a 'Sterling' or '925' mark, combined with the maker's known history, confirms this is electroplated nickel silver (EPNS) or a similar base alloy.
Dimensions
Standard catalog sizes for No. 914 often correspond to medium-sized serving pieces such as a butter dish, small tray, or sugar bowl, typically weighing 200-400 grams depending on the specific form.
Description
This is a quintessential example of American industrial silver plate. The markings 'The Steubenville Silver Co.' indicate a piece intended for the burgeoning middle-class market of the 1890s, where silver-plated elegance was sought for the Victorian dining room.
Key Features
Distinctive cursive script maker's mark; catalog design number 914; absence of 'Sterling' indicating its status as silver plate.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate on white metal or brass base. The absence of a 'Sterling' or '925' mark, combined with the maker's known history, confirms this is electroplated nickel silver (EPNS) or a similar base alloy.
Finish & Decoration
Satin or brushed surface finish with stamped or engraved numerical marking. Based on common pieces from this maker, it likely featured Victorian or Beaux-Arts chasing or floral embossing on the exterior.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The stamp features 'The Steubenville Silver Co.' in a cursive/script font, followed by the design number '914'. There are no official city or date hallmarks as it is American silver plate.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped or spun hollowware. The markings are die-struck into the metal. The base metal was likely formed into shape then electroplated in a silver bath.
Functional Features
The piece is a functional domestic vessel. The number 914 acted as a reordering reference for retailers and department stores.
Handle & Grip Details
Varies by specific form 914, but typically features soldered white-metal handles or a finial if the piece was a lidded vessel like a sugar bowl.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard industrial quality. The stamping is clear but the surface shows the grain of mass-manufactured metal rather than the smooth finish of hand-wrought sterling.
Authentication Indicators
The mark is consistent with known examples of Steubenville Silver Co. catalog markings. The wear pattern (pitting) is characteristic of aging electroplated base metal rather than solid silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
Steubenville, Ohio, USA. Manufactured during the period when the Ohio River Valley was a significant hub for glass and metalware production.
Era & Period
Late Victorian / Gilded Age (circa 1890-1910). The script typography and company history align with the height of Ohio's industrial silver manufacturing.
Age Estimate
Circa 1895-1905. The specific style of the script logo was most prevalent during this decade before the company's output declined.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury in late 19th-century America, where mass-produced plated items allowed the average household to mimic the formal dining habits of the wealthy.
Condition Notes
The provided image shows significant 'pitting' (the dark spot near the center) and heavy surface scratching. This indicates the silver plating is worn or 'bleeding,' exposing the base metal beneath. Overall condition: Fair.
Value Estimate
$15 - $45 USD. Silver-plated hollowware from lesser-known regional makers typically holds more sentimental or decorative value than investment value.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a very mild silver cream like Wright's. Avoid aggressive polishing, as the silver layer is likely thin and further scrubbing will reveal more of the base metal (brass/copper color).
Similar Pieces
Similar plated items by Meriden Britannia Co. or Reed & Barton. Note that Steubenville pieces are generally considered of lower collector value than 'name brand' high-end silver companies of the same era.
Interesting Facts
The Steubenville Silver Co. often worked in tandem with the glass industry in the region, sometimes providing the silver-plated lids or bases for glass condiments and jars.