Wm. A. Rogers Antique Silverplated Flatware Serving Spoons in Floral Pattern
Flatware - Serving Piece · Wm. A. Rogers (William A. Rogers), a well-known American silverplate manufacturer established in the late 19th century and later acquired by Oneida Limited, famous for producing affordable, high-quality silverplated tableware.
Pattern: Unidentified late Victorian or Edwardian floral and leaf scroll pattern, featuring prominent embossed foliage details near the terminal.
Type
Flatware - Serving Piece
Maker
Wm. A. Rogers (William A. Rogers), a well-known American silverplate manufacturer established in the late 19th century and later acquired by Oneida Limited, famous for producing affordable, high-quality silverplated tableware.
Material
Silver Plated (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS or base white metal alloy), indicated by manufacturer stamps showing silverplate classifications.
Dimensions
Standard serving spoon dimensions, approximately 21 to 22 cm in length, with weight standard for silverplated hollow-handle or heavy-gauge flatware serving spoons.
Description
A pair of antique silverplated serving spoons by Wm. A. Rogers featuring an intricate embossed floral and leaf pattern at the terminals. The spoons exhibit classic late Victorian styling with high-relief foliage, graceful curves, and clear maker's stamps on the reverse of the stems.
Key Features
Distinctive high-relief leaf and floral embossing on the handle terminal and clearly legible Wm. A. Rogers maker cartouches.
Material & Composition
Silver Plated (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS or base white metal alloy), indicated by manufacturer stamps showing silverplate classifications.
Finish & Decoration
Bright mirror polish finish with deeply embossed repoussé or die-struck floral and leaf scroll decoration along the terminal handle.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Visible maker cartouches reading Wm. A. Rogers along with company quality marks such as A1 or similar silverplate grade indicators.
Construction Details
Die-struck handles joined to bowls via standard commercial flatware manufacturing techniques typical of late 19th to early 20th-century mass production.
Functional Features
Designed for serving food items at the dining table, featuring a wide, concave bowl and an ergonomic handle shape.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid-appearing base metal handles with decorative cast or struck floral motifs providing a textured, comfortable grip.
Craftsmanship Details
Good quality commercial die-struck manufacture with sharp relief on the floral decorations, demonstrating the high standards of mass-produced turn-of-the-century American flatware.
Authentication Indicators
Authentic period stamps including the Wm. A. Rogers trademark and grade marks, matching the typical layout and font styles of turn-of-the-century American silverplate.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in the United States by Wm. A. Rogers, reflecting the booming American silver manufacturing industry of the turn of the century.
Era & Period
Late Victorian to Edwardian Period (circa 1890-1910), evidenced by the ornate naturalistic floral motifs popular during this era.
Age Estimate
Circa 1890 to 1915, based on the typography of the maker's mark and the ornate floral design popular in late 19th-century tableware.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of elegant dining in America, allowing middle-class households to afford ornate, beautifully decorated table settings previously reserved for the wealthy.
Condition Notes
Very Good antique condition with minor surface scratches and slight wear to the silver plating consistent with age and gentle use; no major dents or base metal bleed-through visible.
Value Estimate
Modest collector value, typically ranging from $15 to $40 for a pair, depending on overall condition and local market demand for antique silverplate.
Care & Maintenance
Hand wash with mild dish soap and warm water, dry immediately with a soft cloth, and polish gently with a specialized silverplate cream only when necessary to preserve the plating.
Similar Pieces
Comparable silverplated serving spoons and flatware sets by International Silver, Oneida, and WM. Rogers & Son from the same era.
Interesting Facts
Wm. A. Rogers was not originally affiliated with the famous Rogers brothers of Hartford, but successfully built a massive empire of affordable silverware before being absorbed into Oneida.