International Silver Co. Rogers Floral/Fiddleback Pierced Pie and Pastry Server
Flatware (Serving Piece - Pierced Pie/Pastry Server) · International Silver Co. under the Rogers trade name. Founded in 1898, International Silver consolidated several New England silversmiths; the 'Rogers' name was a mark of consistent consumer quality in the American market.
Pattern: Unidentified Floral/Fiddleback variant; resembles 'La Concorde' or late Victorian patterns. Likely produced as a mid-tier commercial pattern between 1910 and 1930.
Type
Flatware (Serving Piece - Pierced Pie/Pastry Server)
Maker
International Silver Co. under the Rogers trade name. Founded in 1898, International Silver consolidated several New England silversmiths; the 'Rogers' name was a mark of consistent consumer quality in the American market.
Material
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). The base is a non-precious copper-nickel-zinc alloy with a thin layer of pure silver applied via electrolysis.
Dimensions
Estimated length of 9 to 10 inches (23-25 cm). Weight is approximately 80-100 grams. This is a standard size for a shared serving piece for pies or tarts.
Description
This is a classic American silver-plated pastry server, designed for formal or Sunday dining. It features an elegantly pierced triangular blade with scrolling cut-outs that mimic stylized foliage. The handle is remarkably simple in contrast, using a traditional fiddle-style silhouette. The heavy tarnish indicates it has been stored without protection for many years, but the underlying structure remains robust.
Key Features
Intricate clover-leaf piercing on the blade, 'Rogers' branding, die-struck construction, and a flared flat handle terminal.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). The base is a non-precious copper-nickel-zinc alloy with a thin layer of pure silver applied via electrolysis.
Finish & Decoration
Pierced/openwork blade featuring clover-leaf and scrolling foliate motifs. The handle has a classic fiddle-back shape with a simple incised border. Surface shows significant oxidation and heavy tarnish with a 'gunmetal' appearance.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The shank is stamped with 'ROGERS [IS] SILVER PLATE'. The 'IS' in a circle or square refers to International Silver. Lack of a 'Sterling' stamp confirms this is plated ware.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped and die-cut construction. The piercing was achieved with a industrial punch die. The piece is a single solid unit (monoblock) with no separate solder points for the blade.
Functional Features
Pierced blade designed to reduce suction when lifting sticky pastries and to allow excess moisture or crumbs to fall through. Pointed tip for cutting into soft crusts.
Handle & Grip Details
Integral solid metal handle, flat and flared toward the end. No insulation or secondary materials. Ergonomically wide flat surface for stability while lifting heavy slices.
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial quality. The piercing is precise and symmetrical, typical of high-quality machine dies. The finishing on the edges is smooth, though mass-produced rather than hand-filed.
Authentication Indicators
The presence of the 'Rogers' trade name and the absence of the word 'Sterling' are definitive indicators of silver-plated manufacture. The style of piercing is consistent with early 20th-century die-cutting technology.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States, likely Meriden, Connecticut. Manufactured in a mass-production factory setting optimized for the middle-class American consumer market.
Era & Period
Late Victorian/Early 20th Century Transition. It combines Victorian ornate piercing with the more utilitarian industrial production styles of the 1920s.
Age Estimate
Circa 1910–1935. The style of the Rogers stamp and the specific piercing motif align with the post-1900 output of International Silver.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'democratization' of elegance in early 20th-century America, where silver-plated serving pieces allowed middle-class families to emulate the fine dining habits of the aristocracy.
Condition Notes
Fair condition. Significant tarnish/oxidation is present (heavy sulfide layer). Possible 'plate loss' (wear-through to the base metal) on the high points of the handle and the edges of the blade. No major bends or structural cracks.
Value Estimate
$10.00 – $25.00 USD. Value is strictly decorative/functional as it lacks precious metal bullion content. Price depends on how well the plating has held up under the tarnish.
Care & Maintenance
Requires a thorough cleaning with silver cream (such as Wright's). Avoid harsh dips which can pit the base metal if the plating is thin. Store in a flannel roll to prevent further oxidation.
Similar Pieces
Often confused with Reed & Barton or Oneida plated servers. Similar patterns include 'Charter Oak' or 'Vintage', though those usually feature more embossed floral relief rather than piercing.
Interesting Facts
The 'Rogers' name was so valuable in the 19th and 20th centuries that dozens of companies tried to use it to imply quality. International Silver eventually consolidated the most legitimate Rogers brands to maintain market dominance.