International Silver Co. 'Skyline' Pattern Silverplate Cocktail/Hors d'oeuvre Forks
Flatware · International Silver Company, a major American manufacturer formed in 1898 through the merger of many smaller New England silversmiths. They produced both sterling and plated wares for mass market and hospitality.
Pattern: Skyline pattern, introduced in 1930. This was a popular Art Deco geometric design intended for residential and commercial use.
Type
Flatware
Maker
International Silver Company, a major American manufacturer formed in 1898 through the merger of many smaller New England silversmiths. They produced both sterling and plated wares for mass market and hospitality.
Material
EPNS (Electroplated Nickel Silver). The base metal is a copper-nickel-zinc alloy, electroplated with a thin layer of fine silver. Total silver content is minimal.
Dimensions
Standard cocktail forks, approximately 5.5 to 6 inches (14-15 cm) in length. Each fork weighs approximately 25-30 grams.
Description
A set of five silverplated cocktail forks in the 'Skyline' pattern by International Silver. These forks represent the quintessential Art Deco style of the mid-20th century, featuring a clean, geometric handle termination that evokes the silhouettes of 1930s skyscrapers. Designed for durability and style, these pieces were common in American households and fine dining establishments during the mid-century era.
Key Features
Geometric fan-style handle terminal; four short, sharp tines; distinctive 'Skyline' pattern mark on the reverse; Art Deco lineage.
Material & Composition
EPNS (Electroplated Nickel Silver). The base metal is a copper-nickel-zinc alloy, electroplated with a thin layer of fine silver. Total silver content is minimal.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish with oxidized Art Deco geometric lines. The handle features a tapered, stylized 'skyscaper' fan design at the terminal, characteristic of the 1930s machine-age aesthetic.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped 'IS' (International Silver) and 'S S SKYLINE'. Note: The 'S S' here often refers to the specific plating grade or 'Silver Service' branding used for hotels, not Sterling Silver.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped/die-struck from rolled sheets of nickel silver, followed by electroplating. These are mass-produced commercial grade pieces.
Functional Features
Four-tine design with a wide shoulder, specialized for spearing olives, shellfish, or appetizers. The short length is intended for standing social hors d'oeuvre service.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid, flat-back silhouette handles with a subtle central ridge. The design is integrated into the metal body (not hollow).
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial mass-production. The precision is high for a machine-made item, but it lacks the hand-finishing or depth of chasing found in high-end sterling pieces.
Authentication Indicators
The 'IS Skyline' stamp is consistent with genuine International Silver production. The wear patterns are consistent with base-metal plating rather than solid sterling.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States of America, likely manufactured in Meriden, Connecticut, the center of International Silver's production.
Era & Period
Art Deco (1920-1940); these specific pieces exhibit the late Deco architectural influence often called 'Streamline Moderne'.
Age Estimate
Circa 1930-1950. The Skyline pattern was most prevalent during these decades for both home dining and hotel restaurant service.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the 20th-century American shift toward specialized flatware for cocktail parties and social hosting, which became highly fashionable after the repeal of Prohibition.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Significant tarnish (sulfide oxidation) is visible, particularly on the tines. There is evidence of 'plate loss' where the base metal is beginning to show through on the tines and high points due to over-polishing or heavy use.
Value Estimate
Approximately $15.00 - $25.00 USD for the set of five. Individual plated cocktail forks in this condition usually retail for $3-$5 each at antique malls.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver polish like Wright’s Silver Cream. Avoid abrasive sponges which will strip the remaining silver plating. Store in a tarnish-resistant chest or bag.
Similar Pieces
Often confused with Oneida's Art Deco patterns or Gorham's mid-century plated lines, but the 'Skyline' name stamp on the back is the definitive identifier.
Interesting Facts
The Skyline pattern was frequently utilized in the American hospitality industry during the golden age of hotel dining because its heavy plating could withstand commercial dishwashers.