International Silver Co. Lord Saybrook Pattern Repoussé Silver Plate Round Serving Platter
Hollowware (Platter/Serving Dish) · International Silver Company (IS), founded in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut. They were once the largest silver concern in the world, incorporating many famous makers like Rogers and Wilcox. This piece prominently features the craftsmanship typical of their high-end plated lines.
Pattern: Lord Saybrook (Floral Repoussé Border), introduced in the early-to-mid 20th century. It is a classic 'Stieff Rose' style revival pattern noted for its heavy floral motifs.
Type
Hollowware (Platter/Serving Dish)
Maker
International Silver Company (IS), founded in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut. They were once the largest silver concern in the world, incorporating many famous makers like Rogers and Wilcox. This piece prominently features the craftsmanship typical of their high-end plated lines.
Material
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) or Silver Plate over a base metal (white metal). While it mimics the look of heavy sterling repoussé, the wear in the center suggests a plated surface over a base metal rather than solid .925 sterling.
Dimensions
Estimated 10 to 12 inches in diameter. As a plated piece, it would be heavier than a comparable hollow sterling piece but lighter than a solid cast one; estimated weight 600-900 grams.
Description
An ornate and highly decorative silver-plated round platter featuring a lavish 'Lord Saybrook' floral repoussé border. The rim is a garden of multifaceted roses and wildflowers, creating a high-relief texture that contrasts beautifully with the flat, reflective central well. This piece epitomizes the elegance of mid-century American dining, designed to bring a sense of Victorian luxury to the modern table.
Key Features
High-relief 'repoussé' floral border, scalloped edge with scroll accents, and a wide polished center. The density of the flower heads is the signature diagnostic for this pattern.
Material & Composition
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) or Silver Plate over a base metal (white metal). While it mimics the look of heavy sterling repoussé, the wear in the center suggests a plated surface over a base metal rather than solid .925 sterling.
Finish & Decoration
Heavy floral repoussé and chasing on the wide rim featuring roses, daisies, and foliage. The center is mirror-polished. The style is 20th-century Neo-Rococo or Colonial Revival, characterized by the 'Baltimore Rose' aesthetic popular in American silver.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Expected marks on the reverse would include 'INTERNATIONAL SILVER CO.', 'IS', or 'ROGERS' along with the pattern name 'Lord Saybrook'. It likely lacks a 'Sterling' stamp, indicating its status as silver plate.
Construction Details
Machine-pressed or die-struck to achieve the intricate floral pattern, then silver-plated. The rim is likely finished with a rolled edge or applied decorative border to give it a substantial feel.
Functional Features
Flat central well for serving pastries, appetizers, or as a base for a centerpiece. The raised, decorative rim prevents items from sliding off and provides a grip area.
Handle & Grip Details
No separate handles; the wide, textured repoussé rim acts as the primary grip surface. The texture helps hide fingerprints and provides a secure hold.
Craftsmanship Details
The die-work is excellent, providing crisp detail in the floral petals. However, it is a mass-produced industrial item rather than a hand-chased piece, evidenced by the uniformity of the flower patterns around the circumference.
Authentication Indicators
The pattern is a known International Silver Co. design. The lack of 'Sterling' or '.925' marks on such a large, ornate piece almost always confirms it is silver plate. The gray/dull tone in the center scratches indicates base metal exposure.
Origin & Manufacturing
USA, Meriden, Connecticut. Produced in a large-scale industrial factory setting using precision steel dies to ensure pattern consistency.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (circa 1940-1960). It represents the American Colonial Revival and Romantic movements which sought to replicate the ornate 'Baltimore Style' of the 19th century for the middle-class market.
Age Estimate
Circa 1945-1955. The style of the floral work and the 'Lord Saybrook' pattern naming convention are consistent with post-WWII American table service trends.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Sunday Dinner' culture of the mid-20th century American home, where ornate serving pieces were hallmarks of domestic hospitality and social status.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. There is significant surface scratching and 'pitting' or platter-burn in the center well. Some loss of silver plating (bleeding) appears likely in the high-friction areas of the center. No major dents are visible on the rim.
Value Estimate
$25.00 - $65.00. While beautiful, silver-plated hollowware in this condition has a limited market compared to solid sterling. Value is primarily decorative/functional.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream like Wright's. Avoid abrasive scrubbers which will strip the thin silver layer and reveal more of the base metal. Hand wash only and dry immediately to prevent spotting.
Similar Pieces
Kirk-Stieff Repoussé (Solid Sterling), Gorham Strasbourg, or Wallace Rose Point. The key difference is that the Lord Saybrook is more commonly found in plated form compared to the Kirk-Stieff originals.
Interesting Facts
The International Silver Company was formed by a merger of 14 different silver companies. This pattern was designed to compete with the famous 'Maryland Rose' and 'Repoussé' patterns by Kirk-Stieff, which were popular during the same era.