International Silver Co. (Meriden Britannia) Silver-Plated Footed Hollowware Bowl
Hollowware (Serving Bowl/Tureen) · International Silver Company under the ‘EP WM’ branding (Electroplate on White Metal), likely through its Canadian division in Hamilton, Ontario. International Silver Co. (established 1898) consolidated many independent American and Canadian silversmiths, including Meriden Britannia.
Pattern: Pattern No. 2093; Rococo-style scroll and leaf motif. Production status is discontinued.
Type
Hollowware (Serving Bowl/Tureen)
Maker
International Silver Company under the ‘EP WM’ branding (Electroplate on White Metal), likely through its Canadian division in Hamilton, Ontario. International Silver Co. (established 1898) consolidated many independent American and Canadian silversmiths, including Meriden Britannia.
Material
Silver-plated over White Metal (EP WM). The base metal is a non-precious white metal alloy, electroplated with a thin layer of fine silver.
Dimensions
Estimated at 8 to 10 inches in diameter and approximately 5 to 6 inches tall. Weight is relatively heavy due to the base metal but does not contribute to scrap silver value.
Description
This is a sturdy, classically styled silver-plated serving bowl featuring four ornate, cast scroll feet. The stamp indicates it was produced in Hamilton, Canada, under the guarantee of the International Silver Company. While it lacks the intrinsic value of sterling silver, its substantial weight and elegant silhouette make it a handsome addition to a traditional tabletop setting.
Key Features
Diagnostic 'EP WM' stamp confirming it is plated rather than sterling; '2093' pattern number for identification; Meriden Britannia crest; distinct Canadian manufacturing origin.
Material & Composition
Silver-plated over White Metal (EP WM). The base metal is a non-precious white metal alloy, electroplated with a thin layer of fine silver.
Finish & Decoration
High-polish mirror finish with applied cast scroll and leaf feet. The style is 20th-century Neo-Rococo/Baroque Revival with smooth, bulbous body surfaces.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped 'EP WM' (Electroplate on White Metal), 'MADE AND GUARANTEED BY' with the Meriden Britannia 'Scales of Justice' / ‘M’ crest, '2093' (Design/Model Number), and 'HAMILTON CANADA'.
Construction Details
Machine-spun hollowware body with cast feet that are factory-soldered to the base. This is a mass-produced industrial piece from the mid-20th century.
Functional Features
Four raised scroll feet for stability; the deep bowl is designed for serving food on a formal dinner table.
Handle & Grip Details
No handles visible on the main body; the scroll feet serve as the primary structural grip and support points.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard industrial production quality. The feet are well-cast but show visible soldering seams. Machine-spinning allows for a very consistent, thin-walled body.
Authentication Indicators
Clearly marked as electroplate ('EP'); the lack of a 'Sterling' or '.925' mark confirms it is not solid silver. The stamp is authentic to the Hamilton factory operations.
Origin & Manufacturing
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; manufactured at the International Silver Co. of Canada factory, which was a major industrial employer in the region.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (circa 1930s-1950s). The design reflected the popular 'Empire' and 'Baroque Revival' tastes of the North American middle class during this era.
Age Estimate
Circa 1940-1955. The stamp style and 'Hamilton Canada' marking are consistent with this peak production era for Canadian silver plate.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of 'fine' dining in the mid-20th century, where silver-plated items allowed middle-class families to mimic the opulence of the Victorian aristocracy at an affordable price.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Significant surface scratching and swirl marks consistent with aggressive cleaning. Noticeable 'bleeding' or tarnish spots on the bottom where the silver plate has worn thin; light oxidation and scale buildup around the solder joints of the feet.
Value Estimate
$15 - $35 USD. The value is strictly decorative and utilitarian; as a silver-plated item on white metal, it has no melt value and limited collector upside.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream like Wright's. Avoid abrasive scrubbers or 'dip' cleaners which will rapidly strip the thin silver plating from the white metal base.
Similar Pieces
Birks Regency Plate, Sheridan Silver Plate, or Wallace Baroque silver-plated lines. Unlike those, this piece specifically identifies the Canadian Hamilton workshop.
Interesting Facts
The International Silver Company's plant in Hamilton was once one of the largest silver-plating operations in the British Empire, serving as a hub for both luxury and everyday households in Canada.