International Silver Company Silver-Plated Tea and Coffee Service with Round Waiter Tray
Tea Service including Coffee Pot, Sugar Bowl, Creamer, and Waiter Tray · International Silver Company, founded 1898 in Meriden, CT. One of the world's largest manufacturers of silver, incorporating many historic American silversmiths.
Pattern: Likely 'Countess' or a similar mid-20th century neoclassical pattern featuring gadrooned borders.
Type
Tea Service including Coffee Pot, Sugar Bowl, Creamer, and Waiter Tray
Maker
International Silver Company, founded 1898 in Meriden, CT. One of the world's largest manufacturers of silver, incorporating many historic American silversmiths.
Material
Silver Plate (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver). The base metal is a non-precious copper-nickel alloy plated with a thin layer of fine silver.
Dimensions
Coffee Pot: approx. 10-11 inches tall; Tray: approx. 12-14 inches diameter. Weight is significant due to base metal but does not carry scrap silver value.
Description
An elegant four-piece silver-plated set designed for formal entertaining. The set features a tall, graceful coffee pot with a domed lid, a matching lidded sugar bowl, an open creamer, and a coordinating round waiter tray. The design utilizes traditional gadrooned edges and scalloped feet to mimic more expensive sterling sets of the 18th century.
Key Features
Gadrooned (rope) borders, four-footed 'hoof' or 'shell' styles on vessels, and a high-set gooseneck spout. The heavy purplish tarnish (silver sulfide) is a hallmark of silver-plated items stored in open air.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver). The base metal is a non-precious copper-nickel alloy plated with a thin layer of fine silver.
Finish & Decoration
Polished mirror finish with heavy tarnish/oxidization. Decorative elements include gadroon (rope) borders on the tray and pot bases, shell-motif feet, and cast finials. The tray surface features machine-etched scrollwork.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Usually marked on the underside with 'International Silver Co.', 'IS', or 'EP', often accompanied by a pattern number (e.g., 9822). No 'Sterling' mark is visible or expected for this specific weight and finish.
Construction Details
Machine-manufactured through metal spinning and stamping. Cast handles and feet are soldered to the bodies. Neoclassical urn-shaped vessel construction.
Functional Features
Gooseneck spout for controlled pouring, hinged lid on the coffee pot with heat stops (insulators), and a round tray with a raised decorative rim for spill containment.
Handle & Grip Details
Hollow-cast silver-plated handles with thumb rests for ergonomic grip. The creamer and sugar bowl feature scrolled handles; the coffee pot has a high-arched handle.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard industrial quality. Solder joints are clean, but decorative elements are die-cast rather than hand-chased. The etching on the tray is uniform, indicating a machine-stamped process.
Authentication Indicators
The color of the tarnish (rainbow/black) and the specific casting quality of the finials are consistent with International Silver's mid-market plated lines. Lack of hallmarks like '925' or the Lion Passant confirms it is not solid silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States of America, likely Meriden or Bridgeport, Connecticut. Produced in a large-scale industrial factory setting.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (1940-1960). The style is a Colonial/Federal Revival, a popular aesthetic for American domestic silver during this era.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950. The silhouette and machine-etched tray patterns are hallmarks of mass-production silver plate from the post-WWII era.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Sunday Best' tradition of mid-century American households where silver-plated tea sets were common wedding gifts and symbols of middle-class hospitality.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Significant tarnish/oxidization throughout. There appears to be some 'bleeding' of base metal on high points of the gadroon border, suggesting thinning of the silver plate. No major dents visible.
Value Estimate
$50 - $125 for the complete set. Value is primarily decorative/functional as silver-plated items do not have significant precious metal melt value.
Care & Maintenance
Polish with a non-abrasive cream like Wright's Silver Cream. Avoid dips as they can strip the thin silver layer. Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth bag or chest. Hand wash only.
Similar Pieces
Oneida Silver 'Paul Revere' sets (simpler design), Gorham 'Heritage' plated sets (higher quality casting), or Reed & Barton 'Winthrop' (more ornate).
Interesting Facts
International Silver Co. provided much of the silver used in American hotels and steamships, making their designs some of the most recognizable in 20th-century hospitality.