WM. A. Rogers Silverplated Two-Handled Sugar Bowl or Covered Bowl Base
Hollowware - Sugar Bowl · Wm. A. Rogers, a prominent American silverplate manufacturer founded in the late 19th century, later absorbed by Oneida Limited in 1929, known for producing affordable, durable electroplated nickel silver tableware.
Pattern: Standard Colonial or Classical Revival hollowware line from the early 20th century, widely produced for domestic dining sets.
Type
Hollowware - Sugar Bowl
Maker
Wm. A. Rogers, a prominent American silverplate manufacturer founded in the late 19th century, later absorbed by Oneida Limited in 1929, known for producing affordable, durable electroplated nickel silver tableware.
Material
Silver Plated over a base metal of nickel silver or brass (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS), typical of commercial grade mid-tier American tableware.
Dimensions
Estimated small hollowware bowl approximately 10 to 12 cm in diameter at the base, designed for individual or household table use, weighing moderately due to base metal composition.
Description
An antique silverplated two-handled bowl produced by Wm. A. Rogers, featuring a rounded base and diminutive side loop handles. The exterior surfaces exhibit heavy dark tarnish, localized pitting, and extensive surface wear, revealing the underlying base metal in areas where the silver plate has worn away through decades of use and storage.
Key Features
Clearly legible 'WM. A. ROGERS' maker stamp on the base, paired loop handles, and classic bulbous hollowware form typical of affordable antique American tableware.
Material & Composition
Silver Plated over a base metal of nickel silver or brass (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS), typical of commercial grade mid-tier American tableware.
Finish & Decoration
Smooth polished finish originally with simple curved contours and applied side handles, now significantly obscured by heavy tarnish and oxidation.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The base is stamped with the maker's mark 'WM. A. ROGERS' alongside quality indicators or model numbers, common for electroplated products to denote the brand rather than solid silver purity.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped body with separately cast or applied loop handles soldered to the sides, characteristic of mass-produced commercial silverplate from the early to mid-20th century.
Functional Features
Two opposing side handles for easy lifting and transport, open top designed to hold loose sugar or serve as part of a larger matching tea and coffee service.
Handle & Grip Details
Small, cast metal loop handles attached via soldered joints directly to the body of the bowl, showing signs of heavy tarnish and age.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard commercial manufacturing quality utilizing machine press-forming and basic soldering techniques designed for mass consumption rather than artisan hand-wrought precision.
Authentication Indicators
The presence of the stamped maker's mark 'WM. A. ROGERS' confirms commercial silverplate attribution, distinguishing it from solid sterling silver pieces which would carry standard '.925' or 'Sterling' hallmarks.
Origin & Manufacturing
Manufactured in the United States by Wm. A. Rogers, reflecting the large-scale industrial manufacturing traditions of the American silverware industry.
Era & Period
Early 20th Century (c. 1900-1940), aligning with the height of mass-produced silverplated domestic dining wares in North America.
Age Estimate
Circa 1910-1930, based on the style of the maker's stamp and typical hollowware forms of the pre-World War II era.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of dining aesthetics in North America, allowing middle-class households to display elegant silverplated tea and coffee services previously reserved for the wealthy.
Condition Notes
Poor to Fair condition. The piece suffers from heavy black tarnish, sulfide staining, surface scratches, dents, and extensive wear-through of the silver plating exposing the yellowish base metal underneath.
Value Estimate
Nominal market value (approximately $10 to $25 USD) due to the heavy wear-through of the silver plating, lack of precious metal melt value, and common production origins.
Care & Maintenance
Requires gentle cleaning with a mild non-abrasive silver cream if tarnish removal is desired, though care must be taken not to accelerate the loss of the remaining thin silver plating.
Similar Pieces
Comparable silverplated sugar bowls and creamers from contemporary manufacturers such as Wilcox, F.B. Rogers, International Silver, and Oneida.
Interesting Facts
The Wm. A. Rogers brand was named after William A. Rogers, an ambitious entrepreneur who competed heavily with Oneida and International Silver before his company was eventually acquired by Oneida Ltd.