Old Company Plate Silverplated Dinner Fork
Flatware - Fork · Old Company Plate, a brand associated with the International Silver Company, known for producing affordable and durable silverplated flatware for everyday American households during the 20th century.
Pattern: Unidentified floral scroll pattern featuring a central flower motif and decorative cartouche, typical of mid-20th-century traditional flatware designs.
Type
Flatware - Fork
Maker
Old Company Plate, a brand associated with the International Silver Company, known for producing affordable and durable silverplated flatware for everyday American households during the 20th century.
Material
Silver Plate (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver), consisting of a base metal alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc coated with a thin layer of pure silver.
Dimensions
Standard dinner fork size, approximately 18 to 20 cm in length, with a typical weight of 40 to 60 grams for plated flatware.
Description
An attractive silverplated dinner fork by Old Company Plate, displaying a classic floral and scroll design on the terminal. The surface exhibits a warm golden-yellow tarnish patina, indicating age and silver content reacting with environmental sulfur. The fork has four evenly spaced tines and a tapered neck leading to the stamped maker's mark.
Key Features
Distinctive 'OLD COMPANY PLATE' stamp, embossed floral terminal design, and traditional four-tine layout.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver), consisting of a base metal alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc coated with a thin layer of pure silver.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish with light dimensional stamping featuring a floral and scroll motif at the terminal and shoulders, reflecting a traditional revival style.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped with the maker's mark reading "OLD COMPANY PLATE" within a rectangular cartouche on the upper handle stem.
Construction Details
Die-struck from a base metal sheet, shaped, and subsequently electroplated with silver. The tines are cut and polished.
Functional Features
Standard four-tine dinner fork designed for general table use, featuring a balanced weight distribution and comfortable grip.
Handle & Grip Details
Integral handle formed from the same base metal blank as the tines, featuring a flared, fiddle-like terminal with embossed floral decoration.
Craftsmanship Details
Machine-manufactured via die-stamping and mass electroplating. Clean lines, standardized proportions, and uniform stamping quality characteristic of mid-century industrial flatware production.
Authentication Indicators
Clear factory stamp reading 'OLD COMPANY PLATE', consistent die-struck construction, and natural silver sulfide tarnish patterns typical of genuine silverplate.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in the United States by the International Silver Company or affiliated manufacturing plants, following mass-production traditions of American silverware.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (c. 1930-1960), characterized by accessible silverplated tableware mimicking traditional antique sterling designs.
Age Estimate
Circa 1940-1960, inferred from the maker's mark style, common production era of the brand, and general aesthetic.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of dining aesthetics in the 20th century, where decorative tableware was made widely accessible to the general public rather than being restricted to the wealthy elite.
Condition Notes
Good vintage condition. Moderate surface micro-scratches from use and a pronounced golden/amber tarnish layer across the surface. No visible base metal show-through, indicating the silver plating remains largely intact.
Value Estimate
Low market value, typically ranging from $3 to $10 USD per piece, primarily valued for replacement sets or casual table use rather than as an investment piece.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild dish soap and warm water. Polish gently with a dedicated silver polishing cloth or cream like Wright's Silver Cream to remove tarnish. Store in a tarnish-resistant flannel roll or cloth bag.
Similar Pieces
Comparable to silverplated forks produced by 1847 Rogers Bros, Oneida, and Holmes & Edwards from the same era.
Interesting Facts
Brands like Old Company Plate were frequently used as promotional items or affordable alternatives to sterling silver during and after the Great Depression, allowing middle-class families to set elegant tables.