International Silver Co. Richelieu Pattern Sterling Silver Teaspoon
Flatware - Teaspoon · International Silver Company, based in Meriden, Connecticut. Formed in 1898 from a consortium of several silver makers. They were the world's largest manufacturer of silverware in the early 20th century.
Pattern: Richelieu pattern, introduced in 1934. It is a classic Art Deco to mid-century traditional design that remained popular for decades.
Type
Flatware - Teaspoon
Maker
International Silver Company, based in Meriden, Connecticut. Formed in 1898 from a consortium of several silver makers. They were the world's largest manufacturer of silverware in the early 20th century.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Solid throughout with no base metal; however, long-handled variants occasionally utilize stainless steel bowls if for iced tea, though this appears to be a standard solid silver teaspoon.
Dimensions
Standard teaspoon length approximately 6 inches (15.2 cm). Typical weight for this pattern is approximately 30 to 35 grams.
Description
An elegant and substantial American sterling silver teaspoon in the celebrated Richelieu pattern. This piece features a refined architectural handle ending in a lush foliate scroll, providing a sophisticated aesthetic for formal table settings. Its weight reflects the high quality of early International Sterling production.
Key Features
The distinctive clipped corners of the handle tip and the specific arrangement of the fan-like scroll at the base of the handle are the diagnostic traits of the Richelieu pattern.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Solid throughout with no base metal; however, long-handled variants occasionally utilize stainless steel bowls if for iced tea, though this appears to be a standard solid silver teaspoon.
Finish & Decoration
High-polish mirror finish with oxidized accents in the recesses of the pattern. The decoration features a clipped-corner spatulate handle with a scroll-and-leaf motif at the tip and shoulder, characteristic of Renaissance-revival themes popular in the 1930s.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Likely stamped 'INTERNATIONAL STERLING' and 'RICHELIEU' on the reverse of the handle. May also feature the 'Knight' logo of the International Silver design house.
Construction Details
Die-struck from a single sheet of sterling silver. Machine-manufactured using high-pressure steel dies to achieve consistent detail across the production run.
Functional Features
Ovoid bowl for liquids; standard tapered handle for ergonomic grip. No mechanical or moving parts.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid sterling silver handle integrated into the bowl construction. Wide, flat spatulate grip with decorative floral/scroll embossing.
Craftsmanship Details
Excellent factory-grade die-striking. The detail in the scrolls remains crisp despite years of use, indicating the use of high-quality steel production dies.
Authentication Indicators
The pattern geometry exactly matches known Richelieu molds. The thickness of the handle is consistent with 20th-century American sterling standards rather than thinner silver-plated imitations.
Origin & Manufacturing
Meriden, Connecticut, USA. Produced in a high-output industrial factory setting standard for American silver of the period.
Era & Period
Art Deco/Early Mid-Century Modern (1930s-1940s). The design blends the geometry of the Deco period with traditional French-inspired ornamentation.
Age Estimate
Circa 1934-1950. Based on the pattern introduction and the visible style and wear patterns.
Cultural Significance
Represents the emergence of the American middle-class 'trousseau' culture, where complete sets of sterling silver were considered essential wedding gifts and symbols of domestic status.
Condition Notes
Good condition. The items shows significant tarnish and surface oxidation that requires professional polishing. Visible surface scratches (patina) consistent with household use. No visible bending of the bowl or handle neck.
Value Estimate
$35 - $55 USD based on current melt value for sterling and representative replacement costs for this pattern.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream like Wright's. Avoid automated dishwashers as the heat and detergents can pit the silver. Store in a Pacific Silvercloth roll to prevent the heavy tarnish visible in the image.
Similar Pieces
Often confused with Wallace 'Grand Baroque' or International 'Royal Danish'. Difference lies in Richelieu's cleaner, more geometric handle edges and less exuberant relief carving.
Interesting Facts
The Richelieu pattern was named after Cardinal Richelieu, reflecting the trend in the 1930s of naming silver patterns after historical European figures to imbue American products with an aura of old-world aristocracy.