International Silver Co. Silver-Plated Champagne/Wine Cooler with Rococo Scroll Handles
Hollowware (Champagne/Wine Cooler/Ice Bucket) · International Silver Company (IS), Meriden, Connecticut. Formed in 1898 from a consortium of famous New England silversmiths, IS became the world's largest manufacturer of silver-plated and sterling products, maintaining a reputation for high-quality commercial hollowware.
Pattern: Traditional Rococo-influence design, often part of the 'Countess' or 'Duchess' hospitality lines; mid-20th-century production, currently discontinued.
Type
Hollowware (Champagne/Wine Cooler/Ice Bucket)
Maker
International Silver Company (IS), Meriden, Connecticut. Formed in 1898 from a consortium of famous New England silversmiths, IS became the world's largest manufacturer of silver-plated and sterling products, maintaining a reputation for high-quality commercial hollowware.
Material
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) or Silver Plate over copper. The bulk of the piece is a base metal alloy providing structural rigidity, coated in a fine layer of .999 silver. The weight suggests a heavy base metal construction suitable for commercial and formal dining.
Dimensions
Approximately 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) in height and 8-9 inches (20-23 cm) in diameter at the rim. Estimated weight is 1500-2200 grams, providing stability for chilled bottles.
Description
An elegant and imposing silver-plated champagne cooler by the renowned International Silver Company. This piece features a classic Georgian-inspired bell-shaped body with a brilliantly polished surface that reflects light across its curves. The most striking features are the oversized Rococo-style scroll handles, which provide a sophisticated contrast to the smooth, undecorated body. Its substantial proportions make it a centerpiece of any cocktail service or dining gala, embodying the mid-century American ideal of formal hospitality.
Key Features
Ornate cast handles with acanthus leaf motifs; stepped circular pedestal base; high-walled campana bowl; lack of engraved decoration on the body, emphasizing the sheen of the silver plate.
Material & Composition
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) or Silver Plate over copper. The bulk of the piece is a base metal alloy providing structural rigidity, coated in a fine layer of .999 silver. The weight suggests a heavy base metal construction suitable for commercial and formal dining.
Finish & Decoration
High-polished mirror finish (bright) on the body with an oxidized/antiqued finish to the cast handles. The handles feature Rococo Revival scrollwork and acanthus leaf motifs. The form is a classic campana (bell) shape with a stepped pedestal base.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Likely stamped on the underside with 'International Silver Co.', 'IS', or a specific brand badge like 'Rogers' or 'Meriden'. May include 'EPNS' or 'Silver Plate' and a model number (e.g., 5003). Actual sterling hallmarks (like the word 'Sterling' or 925) are likely absent.
Construction Details
Machine-spun body and pedestal; the flared rim and base are likely reinforced. The handles are sand-cast or die-cast separately and hard-soldered to the main body. The construction exhibits industrial precision characteristic of Mid-Century American silver-plating.
Functional Features
Wide flared rim to accommodate ice and condensation overflow; wide pedestal base for low center of gravity; insulated double-wall construction possible but likely single-wall heavy gauge; ornate handles for securing a grip on a cold, wet surface.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid cast silver-plated base metal handles with high-relief scrollwork. They are attached at two points (upper shoulder and lower waist) using silver solder. The design allows for a three-finger grip.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial craftsmanship. The joinery between the cast handles and the spun body is seamless, and the silver deposition grade is thick enough to have survived decades of polishing without wearing through.
Authentication Indicators
Symmetry indicative of spinning; crispness of the cast handles; presence of American industrial stamps on the base; natural age-related tarnish patterns; specific gravity consistent with plated base metals rather than solid sterling.
Origin & Manufacturing
USA, Meriden, Connecticut. Manufactured in a factory setting utilizing large-scale industrial plating tanks and specialized spinning lathes.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern Traditionalism (1940s-1970s). While the style is Rococo Revival, the manufacturing technique and clean lines of the body are indicative of the mid-20th-century American banquet style.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1965. The silhouette and handle style are consistent with American post-war formal dining sets.
Cultural Significance
A symbol of the post-WWII American middle class's move toward formal entertaining and the 'Mad Men' era cocktail culture, where silver hollowware was an essential status symbol.
Condition Notes
Very Good. There is minor 'pitting' or light surface scratching consistent with use. Some darkening (tarnish) is visible in the crevices of the handles and near the base rim. No evidence of 'bleeding' (base metal showing through silver).
Value Estimate
$150 - $350 (USD). Value is driven by the maker's reputation and the functionality of the piece; as it is plated rather than sterling, it does not carry high melt value, but remains a desirable decor item.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream like Wright's or Hagerty; avoid abrasive scrubbers which will strip the thin silver plating. Store in a flannel 'Pacific Silvercloth' bag to minimize atmospheric sulfur exposure. Do not place in a dishwasher.
Similar Pieces
Reed & Barton 'Winthrop' Wine Cooler (similar handles, different base); Gorham 'Chantilly' Sterling Cooler (significantly higher value, solid silver); Sheffield Plate coolers (older, heavier copper core).
Interesting Facts
International Silver Co. was a major supplier to luxury hotels, railroads, and cruise lines during the mid-20th century; this specific style was a staple of 'New York High Society' dining room aesthetics in the 1950s.