International Silver Co. Hammered Sterling Silver Scalloped Bowl
Hollowware (Serving Bowl / centerpiece) · International Silver Company, Meriden, Connecticut. Founded in 1898 through the merger of various independent New England silversmiths, it became one of the world's largest silver manufacturers, renowned for high-quality American sterling and silverplate.
Pattern: Hand Hammered Artisan Line (Non-specific pattern name). This style was popular within their early 20th-century Arts and Crafts influenced collections.
Type
Hollowware (Serving Bowl / centerpiece)
Maker
International Silver Company, Meriden, Connecticut. Founded in 1898 through the merger of various independent New England silversmiths, it became one of the world's largest silver manufacturers, renowned for high-quality American sterling and silverplate.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). The alloy consists of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper. Estimated weight is approximately 250-400 grams depending on gauge thickness.
Dimensions
Estimated 8 to 10 inches in diameter and approximately 2 inches in depth. Standard medium serving bowl size.
Description
This American sterling silver bowl by International Silver Co. embodies the honest aesthetic of the Arts and Crafts movement. The piece is defined by its deep, swirling lobes that transition into a dramatic scalloped rim. Every millimeter of the surface bears the marks of the silversmith's hammer, creating a multi-faceted texture that catches light with a soft, diffused glow. It is a sturdy yet elegant example of early 20th-century American hollowware.
Key Features
Continuous planishing (hammering), twelve radiating curved lobes, scalloped 'flower' rim, and the 'International Sterling' purity stamp.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). The alloy consists of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper. Estimated weight is approximately 250-400 grams depending on gauge thickness.
Finish & Decoration
All-over planished (hammered) finish, a hallmark of the Arts and Crafts movement meant to show the 'hand of the maker.' The bowl features deep radiating gadrooned lobes or swirled fluting, creating a scalloped rim. It has a soft satin luster rather than a mirror polish.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped on the interior base with 'International Sterling' and likely a pattern number or the 'IS' logo within a shield. Small maker's marks are visible near the bottom center of the bowl's well.
Construction Details
Raised from a flat sheet of sterling silver; the fluting and scalloped edges were likely formed using specialized stakes and hammers. The planished surface is intentionally left visible to emphasize manual labor and artisan quality.
Functional Features
Wide, shallow basin suitable for fruit, bread, or as a decorative center table piece. The scalloped rim provides architectural strength to the silver sheet.
Handle & Grip Details
No handles; the scalloped rim serves as the primary grip point for lifting the vessel.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial craftsmanship. While part of a production line, the finishing required significant skilled manual labor to achieve the uniform fluting and delicate scalloped edge without thinning the metal too much at the points.
Authentication Indicators
Characteristic 'Sterling' stamp depth, authentic hammer marks which are slightly irregular (unlike uniform machine-stamped patterns), and a design silhouette consistent with International Silver’s documented catalogs from the 1920s.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States, Meriden, Connecticut. Manufactured during the peak of American silver production.
Era & Period
Arts and Crafts Movement (circa 1910-1930). This era celebrated manual craftsmanship over industrial machine-made aesthetics, favoring organic forms and hammered textures.
Age Estimate
Latter half of the Arts and Crafts period, likely circa 1920-1940.
Cultural Significance
Represents the shift in American taste away from the fussy, ornate repoussé of the Victorian era toward cleaner, more 'truthful' expressions of metalwork influenced by European design philosophies.
Condition Notes
Good to Very Good. The image shows significant tarnish (sulfide deposits) in the crevices of the lobes and some localized yellowing. There are visible surface scratches in the well consistent with use. No major dents or structural cracks are evident.
Value Estimate
$350 - $600 USD. Value is driven primarily by current silver spot price plus a premium for the maker and the desirable Arts and Crafts styling.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a high-quality silver cream like Wright's or Hagerty. Using a soft horsehair brush is recommended to remove tarnish from the deep fluting. Avoid dip-style cleaners which can strip the desirable 'patina' from the hammered facets.
Similar Pieces
Gorham 'Martelé' (significantly more expensive and fully hand-wrought), Reed & Barton hammered bowls, or Tiffany & Co. 'Hand Wrought' planished items.
Interesting Facts
International Silver was formed by a 'trust' of silver companies including Rogers Bros and Meriden Britannia. Hammered finishes like this were marketed as 'Hand Wrought' to compete with boutique studios like Kalo or Jarvie, even when produced in larger factory settings.