F.B. Rogers Silver Co. Grape Pattern EPNS Hollowware Piece
Hollowware (likely a small bowl, compote, or nut dish based on the central well and flared rim decorative border) · F.B. Rogers Silver Co. of Taunton, Massachusetts. Founded in 1883, the company became a subsidiary of National Silver Co. in 1955. They were a prolific manufacturer of high-quality silverplate, competing with firms like Gorham and Reed & Barton in the mass-market segment.
Pattern: Grape / Vintage Pattern. This is a classic Victorian-revival motif featuring clusters of grapes, leaves, and scrolling vines. It was a staple design for the company throughout the mid-20th century.
Type
Hollowware (likely a small bowl, compote, or nut dish based on the central well and flared rim decorative border)
Maker
F.B. Rogers Silver Co. of Taunton, Massachusetts. Founded in 1883, the company became a subsidiary of National Silver Co. in 1955. They were a prolific manufacturer of high-quality silverplate, competing with firms like Gorham and Reed & Barton in the mass-market segment.
Material
EPNS (Electroplated Nickel Silver). The base metal is a non-precious alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc (nickel silver), which has been electrolytically coated with a thin layer of fine silver. It contains no actual sterling silver content.
Dimensions
Estimated diameter of 5-8 inches. As a silver-plated item, the weight is not usually measured in troy ounces but is relatively heavy due to the dense nickel-silver base metal.
Description
This silver-plated dish exemplifies the mid-century American love for ornate, traditional motifs. Featuring a lush grape-and-vine border in high relief, it mimics the appearance of much more expensive solid silver 18th-century European hollowware. The deep central well and wide rim maximize the visual impact of the silver luster, making it a popular choice for 'Sunday dinner' tablescapes in the post-war era.
Key Features
The most prominent feature is the 'EPNS' stamp which identifies the material, alongside the crisp, deep-relief grape clusters that are a signature of the F.B. Rogers 'Vintage' style lines.
Material & Composition
EPNS (Electroplated Nickel Silver). The base metal is a non-precious alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc (nickel silver), which has been electrolytically coated with a thin layer of fine silver. It contains no actual sterling silver content.
Finish & Decoration
High-relief repoussé and chasing featuring a grape and leaf vine motif. The surface shows a combination of matte/frosted texture in the recessed areas and reflective polished highlights. The style is 20th-century Neo-Victorian/Baroque Revival.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The item is stamped 'EPNS' (denoting Electroplated Nickel Silver) and 'LEHNER' or a partial maker's mark associated with F.B. Rogers/National Silver production lines. Unlike British silver, these are commercial stamps rather than legal hallmarks.
Construction Details
Machine-pressed or die-struck construction. The pattern was likely formed using a high-pressure drop forge or hydraulic press to create the relief, followed by silver electroplating and hand-buffing.
Functional Features
Features a deep central well for holding contents and a wide, decorated rim for aesthetic display. No moving parts or mechanical features visible in the provided image.
Handle & Grip Details
No handles are visible; the item appears to be a rimmed dish or bowl where the 'grip' is provided by the wide, textured decorative border.
Craftsmanship Details
This is a machine-made industrial product. The detail in the grapes is uniform and crisp, indicating a high-quality steel die was used, but the lack of hand-tooling marks distinguishes it from artisanal silver.
Authentication Indicators
The 'EPNS' stamp is the primary indicator that this is a plated item rather than sterling. The wear pattern (showing base metal) confirms it is electroplated. The stamping is consistent with mid-20th-century factory marking.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States, likely Taunton, Massachusetts or distributed through the National Silver Co. network. Produced in a high-volume industrial silver manufacturing environment.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Victorian Revival (c. 1940-1960). While the grape motif is Victorian in origin, the specific stamping and metal composition suggest a mid-20th-century American production.
Age Estimate
Circa 1940s–1950s. The 'EPNS' font and the 'LEHNER' branding are consistent with mid-century mass-market production before the company's later decline.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury in mid-20th century America, where silver-plated items allowed middle-class families to enjoy the aesthetic of high-end formal dining without the cost of solid sterling.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. There is significant 'bleeding' visible where the silver plating has worn away through over-polishing or abrasion, revealing the yellowish-copper hue of the base nickel-silver metal beneath. Tarnish is visible in the recessed areas of the pattern.
Value Estimate
$10 - $35 USD. The value is strictly decorative/utilitarian rather than metal-based, as EPNS has no scrap value. The significant wear to the plating ('bleeding') reduces its value to collectors.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild non-abrasive silver cream (e.g. Wright's). Do not use silver dips or harsh chemical cleaners, as the plating is already thin and further abrasion will reveal more of the base metal. Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth.
Similar Pieces
Wallace 'Grand Baroque' (Sterling alternative), International Silver 'Vintage' (Plated competitor), or Sheridan Silver Co. grape-patterned hollowware. Sheridan pieces often have higher relief but thinner plating.
Interesting Facts
The grape motif has been one of the longest-running decorative patterns in silver history, dating back to Roman times and staying popular through the Georgian and Victorian eras because it symbolizes abundance and hospitality.