International Silver Co. Richelieu Pattern Sterling Silver Teaspoon
Flatware - Teaspoon · International Silver Company (specifically the Wilcox & Evertsen division). International Silver was formed in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut, through the merger of various American silversmiths, becoming the world's largest manufacturer of silver during the early 20th century.
Pattern: Richelieu pattern, introduced in 1896. This was one of the firm's most successful and enduring floral scroll designs, remaining in production for decades.
Type
Flatware - Teaspoon
Maker
International Silver Company (specifically the Wilcox & Evertsen division). International Silver was formed in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut, through the merger of various American silversmiths, becoming the world's largest manufacturer of silver during the early 20th century.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Solid throughout, not plated. The weight for a standard teaspoon in this pattern is approximately 30-35 grams.
Dimensions
Length is approximately 6 inches (15.2 cm). This size is standard for an American teaspoon, being smaller than a dessert or place spoon but larger than a coffee or demitasse spoon.
Description
An ornate sterling silver teaspoon in the classic Richelieu pattern. This piece exemplifies the 'more is more' aesthetic of American high society at the turn of the century. The handle is a riot of baroque-style scrolls and organic flourishes, leading down to a clean, elegant oval bowl. It represents the height of American industrial silver manufacturing where luxury was made accessible to the rising middle class.
Key Features
Distinctively scalloped handle terminal; deep relief chasing effect in the die-striking; heavy weight compared to modern imitation silver plate.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Solid throughout, not plated. The weight for a standard teaspoon in this pattern is approximately 30-35 grams.
Finish & Decoration
The handle features an ornate Louis XIV/Rococo Revival design with heavy scrollwork, acanthus leaves, and floral motifs. The bowl is currently heavily oxidized (tarnished) with a matte appearance but was originally finished with a mirror-polished 'bright' surface.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The back of the handle should bear the "Sterling" mark, often accompanied by the 'W' and 'E' mark for Wilcox & Evertsen or the ISC logo (an 'I' inside a 'C' with a scale). The stamps will be die-struck into the narrow part of the handle.
Construction Details
Machine-manufactured using die-striking. High-tonnage presses stamped the pattern and shape out of sterling silver sheets, followed by trimming and hand-polishing of the edges.
Functional Features
Tapered handle for ergonomic grip; oval-shaped bowl with a slightly flared rim for tea or general dessert service. No mechanical moving parts.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid sterling silver handle with deeply embossed relief work. The flares at the terminal end provide a comfortable thumb rest common to high-Victorian/Edwardian Era flatware designs.
Craftsmanship Details
Exhibits excellent die-work with deep recesses that catch the light. The lack of visible seams and the clarity of the scrollwork indicate a high-quality production run from the Meriden factories.
Authentication Indicators
The crispness of the scroll detail suggests a genuine die-struck piece rather than a cast reproduction. The specific oxidation colors (rainbow to black) are characteristic of authentic sterling silver exposed to air over long periods.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States; Meriden, Connecticut. Manufactured by the International Silver Co. using industrial-age mass production techniques that maintained high artistic standards.
Era & Period
late Victorian to early Edwardian (1896-1910 context). The pattern reflects the late 19th-century American fascination with French aristocratic design cycles like the Rococo.
Age Estimate
Circa 1900-1925. While the pattern was designed in 1896, the wear and patina suggests an early-to-mid 20th-century life cycle.
Cultural Significance
Represents the transition of silver from a hand-crafted luxury for the elite to a standardized industrial product that served as a primary form of household wealth and social signaling in American homes.
Condition Notes
Very Good to Good condition. The piece shows significant surface tarnish and sulfide deposits (darkening), particularly in the bowl. There is minor surface scratching consistent with age (patina). No visible bends or structural cracks. Requires professional polishing.
Value Estimate
$35.00 - $60.00 USD for a single teaspoon, largely driven by its silver weight and the enduring popularity of the Richelieu pattern for collectors completing sets.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a high-quality silver cream (e.g., Wright's). Since the tarnish is heavy, a silver dip could be used briefly, followed by immediate rinsing and hand-polishing to restore the luster in the recessed areas of the pattern.
Similar Pieces
Wallace 'Grand Baroque' (more 3D/pierced), Gorham 'Chantilly' (simpler, more elegant lines), or Towle 'Old Master'.
Interesting Facts
The Richelieu pattern was so prestigious that it was often used in hotel and steamship 'silver services' for first-class passengers as a mark of high status and luxury.