International Silver Sterling Porringer with Pierced Fan Handle, No. 589
Hollowware (Porringer / Feeding Bowl) · International Silver Company (specifically the Wilcox Silver Plate Co. division). Founded in Meriden, CT in 1898 as a conglomerate of major New England silversmiths. This brand is a hallmark of American production quality and retail reach.
Pattern: Traditional Pierced Scroll Pattern, Model No. 589. This design was a staple of the company's early to mid-20th-century catalog, drawing on late colonial American silhouettes.
Type
Hollowware (Porringer / Feeding Bowl)
Maker
International Silver Company (specifically the Wilcox Silver Plate Co. division). Founded in Meriden, CT in 1898 as a conglomerate of major New England silversmiths. This brand is a hallmark of American production quality and retail reach.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Solid composition throughout; no base metal or plating present on the body.
Dimensions
Diameter approx. 4 inches (10 cm); length including handle approx. 6 inches (15 cm). Typical weight range: 80 to 110 grams.
Description
A classic example of American Colonial Revival sterling silver, this porringer features a gracefully rounded bowl and a delicate, openwork pierced handle. Its minimalist design highlights the lustrous quality of the 925 silver while offering a functional heirloom piece often used as a christening gift.
Key Features
Pierced fan-style handle; authentic 'STERLING' and '589' stamps; seamless spun bowl; high-quality solder joinery at the rim.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Solid composition throughout; no base metal or plating present on the body.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish interior with a simple, undecorated convex body. Features a pierced 'fan' or 'keyhole' style flat handle (porringer ear) common in Colonial Revival pieces. Style: Colonial Revival.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped 'STERLING' with the International Silver Company mark (likely the 'W' inside an urn or a simple IS mark) and the model number '589'. The marks are located on the underside of the handle near the attachment point.
Construction Details
Spun silver bowl with a cast and hand-chased decorative handle that has been silver-soldered to the main body. The rim is rolled for structural rigidity.
Functional Features
Single flat handle designed for ergonomic grip while feeding or drinking; deep bowl for porridges or broths; heat-retaining circular form.
Handle & Grip Details
Flat, pierced sterling silver handle attached via a solder joint at the rim. Hand-finished piercing work with rounded edges for comfort.
Craftsmanship Details
Machine-spun bowl providing uniform wall thickness, paired with a cast handle that shows crisp piercing work, indicative of high-volume but high-quality mid-century American manufacturing.
Authentication Indicators
The presence of the specific '589' model number alongside the 'STERLING' stamp is consistent with International Silver cataloging. Wear patterns on the bottom of the bowl show age-appropriate friction marks.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States of America, likely manufactured in Meriden, Connecticut, the 'Silver City' of the Northeast.
Era & Period
Early to Mid-20th Century (Colonial Revival). This period sought to emulate the styles of the 18th-century American silversmiths like Paul Revere.
Age Estimate
Circa 1930–1950. The font and stamping style are characteristic of the Depression and post-WWII era American sterling production.
Cultural Significance
A symbol of American middle-class domesticity and the 'Baby Boom' era tradition of gifting sterling silver to ensure the child was 'born with a silver spoon' (or in this case, bowl) in their mouth.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Significant tarnish (sulfide deposits) across the surface, especially on the handle. Some minor surface scratches and potential light dings on the bowl bottom. No signs of major structural repair or handle separation.
Value Estimate
$100 - $180 USD, depending on current silver spot price and thoroughness of polishing.
Care & Maintenance
Requires hand polishing with a high-quality cream like Wright's Silver Cream. Avoid dips as it may dull the finish. Store in Pacific Silvercloth to prevent re-tarnishing.
Similar Pieces
Gorham 'Chantilly' porringers (more ornate), Tiffany & Co. Revere-style porringers (heavier gauge silver), and Lunt sterling porringers with simple keyhole handles.
Interesting Facts
Porringers were originally common household vessels for stew in the 1700s, but by the time this piece was made, they had evolved into traditional gifts for infants and were often used at baptism celebrations.