Victorian Electroplated Nickel Silver Tazza or Footed Bowl by Rogers & Sons
Hollowware (Serving Bowl/Tazza) · Rogers & Sons (specifically the mark of C. Rogers & Bros / Rogers & Sons of Meriden, Connecticut). A prominent American silver manufacturing entity consolidated under International Silver Co. in 1898.
Pattern: Neo-Rococo Floral and Scroll Pattern; late 19th-century mass-produced Victorian design.
Type
Hollowware (Serving Bowl/Tazza)
Maker
Rogers & Sons (specifically the mark of C. Rogers & Bros / Rogers & Sons of Meriden, Connecticut). A prominent American silver manufacturing entity consolidated under International Silver Co. in 1898.
Material
Silver Plate over Nickel Silver (EPNS). The base is a non-precious alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc, electroplated with a thin layer of pure silver.
Dimensions
Estimated 8-10 inches in diameter; weight is primarily derived from the dense base metal rather than precious metal content.
Description
A classic example of American Victorian table culture, this electroplated bowl features intricate chasing and floral motifs designed to provide the look of expensive sterling silver at a middle-class price point. The scalloped edges and floral repoussé were staples of the high-Victorian dining aesthetic.
Key Features
Characterized by 'pseudo-hallmarks'—symbols that look like official British assay marks but are actually American manufacturer trade marks for plated goods.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate over Nickel Silver (EPNS). The base is a non-precious alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc, electroplated with a thin layer of pure silver.
Finish & Decoration
Bright-cut style chasing with repoussé floral blossoms (possibly lilies or dogwood) and scrolled cartouches. The surface shows a high-polish finish now obscured by heavy tarnish and plate loss.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Pseudo-hallmarks intended to mimic British sterling marks: A crowned 'R' (Rogers), a profile head (George Washington or a generic bust), a Gothic 'N' (Nickel Silver), and a small crown or lamp symbol. These are trade marks, not purity marks.
Construction Details
Machine-pressed or die-struck from a flat sheet of nickel silver, then electroplated. Decorative borders are likely applied or stamped into the metal before plating.
Functional Features
Wide shallow bowl suitable for fruit, bread, or calling cards. Likely features a weighted or hollow-cast pedestal base (not fully visible).
Handle & Grip Details
No handles visible; the grip is provided by the flaring rim of the bowl.
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial-scale production. The crispness of the stamped design suggests high-quality steel dies, but it lacks the depth and irregularity of hand-chased sterling.
Authentication Indicators
The 'N' stamp is a definitive indicator of Nickel Silver rather than Sterling. The wear patterns showing a different colored base metal confirm it is plated.
Origin & Manufacturing
Meriden, Connecticut, USA. Meriden was known as the 'Silver City' due to the density of silver plating factories in the 1800s.
Era & Period
Victorian Era (Late 19th Century, approx. 1870-1895). Reflects the Aesthetic Movement's love for eclectic floral and Rococo Revival motifs.
Age Estimate
Circa 1880-1890 based on the specific 'R head N' pseudo-hallmark configuration used by Rogers factories during this period.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury during the Industrial Revolution, allowing the emerging middle class to own 'silver' that looked identical to the wares of the aristocracy.
Condition Notes
Fair to Poor. Significant 'bleeding' visible where the silver plate has worn away to reveal the yellowish-grey nickel silver base underneath. Heavy tarnish and surface scratching throughout.
Value Estimate
$20 - $45 USD. Value is decorative/historical rather than intrinsic, as there is no significant scrap silver value in electroplated items.
Care & Maintenance
Gently clean with a non-abrasive silver cream. Avoid heavy polishing, as the silver layer is already thin and further polishing will remove more of the plating.
Similar Pieces
Reed & Barton silverplate bowls or Gorham 'Electroplate' line. Differs from Sterling pieces which would be marked with 'Sterling' or '925'.
Interesting Facts
The Rogers family of silversmiths was so successful that dozens of unrelated companies used the 'Rogers' name to ride their coattails, leading to some of the first major trademark lawsuits in American history.