International Silver Co. DeepSilver 'Holly' Pattern Silverplate Serving Spoon
Flatware (Serving Spoon) · International Silver Company (IS). This American conglomerate was formed in 1898 in Meriden, CT, by merging several independent silversmiths. The 'DeepSilver' line was their premium silverplate brand known for higher durability.
Pattern: Holly pattern (also known as 'Silver Fashion' or similar floral iterations). Introduced mid-20th century, specifically part of the DeepSilver line. This pattern features a pointed tip with cascading floral/leaf clusters.
Type
Flatware (Serving Spoon)
Maker
International Silver Company (IS). This American conglomerate was formed in 1898 in Meriden, CT, by merging several independent silversmiths. The 'DeepSilver' line was their premium silverplate brand known for higher durability.
Material
Silverplate on a base metal (usually nickel silver or brass). The piece is marked 'Extra Heavy Plate' or 'DeepSilver' which indicates a thicker-than-average electroplated silver deposit.
Dimensions
Estimated length: 8.5 to 9 inches (Serving Spoon size). Estimated weight: 65-85 grams. The bowl is significantly larger than a standard dinner spoon, designed for side dishes.
Description
This is a quintessential mid-20th-century American serving spoon. Part of International Silver's premium DeepSilver line, it was marketed as 'silverplate that lasts a lifetime.' The design features a sleek, unfettered handle body that explodes into a dense, romantic floral cluster at the tip. It represents an era when middle-class households sought the prestige of fine silver service without the cost of solid sterling.
Key Features
The 'Inlaid' stamp is a key diagnostic feature, referring to the blocks of sterling silver fused into the base metal at the points of greatest wear before plating. The pointed floral tip is also a signature of the Holly pattern.
Material & Composition
Silverplate on a base metal (usually nickel silver or brass). The piece is marked 'Extra Heavy Plate' or 'DeepSilver' which indicates a thicker-than-average electroplated silver deposit.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror-polished bowl with a relief-decorated handle. The handle features a tapered design ending in a pointed 'V' tip decorated with a Victorian-revival floral and leaf motif (Holly style). It exhibits a bright, reflective finish typical of 20th-century electroplating.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The back of the handle is stamped: 'DEEPSILVER', 'INLAID', and 'INTERNATIONAL SILVER COMPANY' (often abbreviated as IS). The 'Inlaid' mark refers to a manufacturing technique where extra silver is added to the wear points.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped and die-struck from a base metal sheet, then electroplated. This is a mass-produced item using heavy industrial presses to achieve the crisp floral detail at the handle tip.
Functional Features
Oversized oval bowl for serving moist vegetables, stuffings, or desserts. The 'Inlaid' feature provides extra silver at the back of the bowl and heel to prevent 'heel wear' from resting on tables.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid construction (not hollow). The handle tapers from a narrow neck to a wide, decorative terminal. The relief work provides a tactile grip.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial craftsmanship. The stampings are deep and clean, and the electroplating is thick and even. It lacks the unique irregularities of hand-wrought silver but demonstrates the peak of American factory efficiency.
Authentication Indicators
The 'DEEPSILVER' and 'IS' stamps are consistent with mid-century factory production. The wear patterns are appropriately minimal for a serving piece which is used less frequently than daily forks.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States, Meriden, Connecticut. Manufactured by the International Silver Company, which was once the largest silver manufacturer in the world.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern / Mid-20th Century (circa 1950s-1970s). The design blends mid-century streamlined shapes with a traditionalist floral tip popular for suburban dining sets of the era.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1965. The hallmark font and the 'DeepSilver' branding were most prominent during this postwar era of formal American dining.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the 'Silver Age' of middle-class America, where hosting dinner parties with complete flatware sets was a primary marker of social refinement and domestic pride.
Condition Notes
Good overall condition. The bowl shows significant mirror reflection, suggesting it has not been over-cleaned with abrasives. Minor surface scratches (swirls) are visible. No 'plate loss' or 'bleeding' of the base metal is evident in the image.
Value Estimate
$10.00 - $25.00 USD. Value is based on its status as a single serving piece in a common pattern; it holds more functional and sentimental value than investment value.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver polish like Wright’s Silver Cream. Avoid automatic dishwashers, as the high heat and harsh detergents can strip the silver plating over time. Store in a tarnish-resistant chest.
Similar Pieces
Oneida Community Plate 'Morning Star' or 'Evening Star' patterns. These are similar price-point silverplate alternatives from the same era but with different floral arrangements.
Interesting Facts
The International Silver Company provided the silverplate for many of the world's great hotels and steamships. Their 'DeepSilver' line was advertised as having a 'lavish' layer of silver that made it indistinguishable from sterling to the casual eye.