Silver-Plated Grape and Vine Repoussé Chased Bowl
Hollowware (Fruit Bowl / Serving Dish) · Likely a mass-market manufacturer such as International Silver, Leonard, or W.M. Rogers & Son. These companies specialized in affordable silver-plated hollowware for the middle-market consumer.
Pattern: Common 'Grape and Vine' or 'Vintage' style pattern, popular across multiple 20th-century silver-plate manufacturers. Not associated with a single high-end exclusive collection.
Type
Hollowware (Fruit Bowl / Serving Dish)
Maker
Likely a mass-market manufacturer such as International Silver, Leonard, or W.M. Rogers & Son. These companies specialized in affordable silver-plated hollowware for the middle-market consumer.
Material
Silver Plate (EPNS or Electroplated Base Metal). Most likely an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc (Nickel Silver) coated with a thin layer of silver. The visible grayish mottling indicates wear to the plating exposing the base metal.
Dimensions
Estimated diameter of 8-10 inches (20-25 cm). Weight is likely substantial due to the dense base metal, approximately 400-600 grams.
Description
A classic examples of mid-century silver-plated hostelry. This bowl features a traditional grape and vine motif, a perennial favorite for late-Victorian and 20th-century revivals. While it lacks the intrinsic value of solid sterling, its ornate design and heavy weight give it a sense of formal elegance suitable for holiday tables or decorative displays.
Key Features
Repoussé grape clusters, scalloped rim, heavy tarnish/patina, and affordable retail price point relative to solid silver.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (EPNS or Electroplated Base Metal). Most likely an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc (Nickel Silver) coated with a thin layer of silver. The visible grayish mottling indicates wear to the plating exposing the base metal.
Finish & Decoration
Repoussé and chased decoration featuring grape clusters, scrolling vines, and small floral blossoms. The rim is scalloped with a raised decorative border. Surface shows significant tarnish and 'pitting' common in mid-grade silver plate.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Marks are not visible in the image but would likely include 'Silver Plate', 'EPNS', or a specific manufacturer's logo stamped on the underside. It almost certainly lacks the 'Sterling' or '.925' mark.
Construction Details
Mass-produced using die-stamping or casting. The decorative elements are formed by a mechanical press rather than hand-raised from a sheet. The edge is likely a rolled rim for structural rigidity.
Functional Features
Wide, shallow basin designed for serving fruit, breads, or acting as a centerpiece bowl. It features a decorative scalloped edge for aesthetic appeal.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A (Bowl form lacks handles).
Craftsmanship Details
Machine-stamped decoration with some mechanical polishing. The patterns are repetitive and lack the crispness found in hand-chased sterling silver pieces from high-end houses like Tiffany or Georg Jensen.
Authentication Indicators
The 'Value Village' pricing of $5.99 is the strongest indicator of it being silver-plate. The way the tarnish appears in splotchy, dark patterns rather than an even gray film is characteristic of oxidization on plated surfaces.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely United States or England. Manufactured in a factory setting using industrial electroplating techniques.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (c. 1940-1970). This style was a 'Victorian Revival' aesthetic that gained massive popularity in American and British households post-WWII.
Age Estimate
Latter half of the 20th century, approximately 50-70 years old.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'democratization of luxury' in the 20th century, where silver-plating allowed middle-class families to own items that mimicked the appearance of expensive aristocratic sterling silver.
Condition Notes
Poor to Fair. The surface shows heavy tarnish, significant 'bleeding' (where the silver plate has worn off to reveal base metal), and possible pitting or corrosion on the interior basin.
Value Estimate
$5.00 - $15.00. Value is primarily decorative/functional; it has no scrap value as it contains negligible amounts of precious metal.
Care & Maintenance
Use a mild silver cream (e.g., Wright's) but avoid heavy rubbing, as the plating is already thin. For display, use a silver cloth. Do not put in a dishwasher as the heat and salts will strip the remaining silver.
Similar Pieces
Wallave 'Grande Baroque' (which is higher quality), Sheridan silver-plate bowls, or Gorham 'Heritage' plated items. The key difference is the depth of the casting and the thickness of the silver layer.
Interesting Facts
The 'Grape and Vine' motif is one of the oldest in silver design, dating back to Roman times, symbolizing Dionysus/Bacchus and abundance. In the 19th century, it became the gold standard for 'high-society' dining sets.