Wm. A. Rogers Silver Plate Round Waiter Tray with Gadroon Edge and Chase Scroll Center
Hollowware (Round Tray/Platter/Waiter) · Wm. A. Rogers, which eventually became a brand under the International Silver Company. William A. Rogers was a famed New York silversmith who began production in 1897; the brand is widely known for high-quality silver-plated mass-market goods.
Pattern: Pattern 171; featuring a classic gadroon (rope) border and an elaborately chased Rococo-style scroll and floral center. Production status: Discontinued.
Type
Hollowware (Round Tray/Platter/Waiter)
Maker
Wm. A. Rogers, which eventually became a brand under the International Silver Company. William A. Rogers was a famed New York silversmith who began production in 1897; the brand is widely known for high-quality silver-plated mass-market goods.
Material
Silver Plate (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver). The base metal is a non-precious copper, nickel, and zinc alloy coated in a thin layer of pure silver. Features no solid silver content.
Dimensions
Approximately 12 inches in diameter. Weight is typical for heavy-gauge silver plate, likely between 600-900 grams, providing a sturdy, substantial feel.
Description
This Wm. A. Rogers round tray is a quintessential example of mid-century American elegance. It features a brilliant mirror finish underscored by a timeless gadroon border. The center of the tray is decorated with an intricate ring of chased scrolls and floral motifs, leaving a vacant center polished to a high shine—perfect for showcasing a glass decanter or a tea pot.
Key Features
The 'Eagle and Star' mark is the primary identifier for this specific brand lineage. The gadroon edge is a hallmark of formal traditional silver design.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver). The base metal is a non-precious copper, nickel, and zinc alloy coated in a thin layer of pure silver. Features no solid silver content.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror-polished rim with a gadroon (twisted rope) applied border. The center well features machine-chased or stamped scrollwork, acanthus leaves, and diapering (cross-hatching). The design follows the Neoclassical/Rococo Revival style.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped with '[Eagle Symbol] WM. A. ROGERS [Star Symbol]' and the pattern/model number '171'. The eagle and star were used to signify their top-tier silver plate line to distinguish it from competitors like Rogers Bros.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped from a flat sheet of nickel silver. The gadroon border is an applied wire or stamped flange. The decorative center is likely produced via a high-pressure die-stamping process rather than hand-chasing.
Functional Features
Flat serving surface designed for cocktails, tea service, or appetizers. Low profile rim to prevent items from sliding off while maintaining a sleek silhouette.
Handle & Grip Details
None; this is a 'waiter' style tray intended to be held from the underside or by the rim.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial production. The symmetry of the chasing is perfect, indicating machine-assisted decoration, and the silver plating is thick enough to have survived decades of polishing without showing 'bleeding' (base metal showing through).
Authentication Indicators
The '171' model number and the specific WM A ROGERS font are consistent with known manufacturer catalogs. The wear pattern is consistent with electroplated surfaces rather than solid sterling.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States of America. Most likely produced in the Connecticut factories of the International Silver Company under the Wm. A. Rogers trademark.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (circa 1940-1960). While the design elements are Rococo Revival, the manufacturing stamps and style were ubiquitous in post-war American dining.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950s. The crispness of the stamp and the specific layout of the eagle/star mark are consistent with mid-century production.
Cultural Significance
Trays like this were staples of the 'Silver Age' of American middle-class entertaining, representing a desired standard of hospitality and domestic sophistication in the mid-20th century.
Condition Notes
Good to Very Good. Visible surface scratches (swirl marks) indicate frequent use and polishing. There is a dark spot on the reverse which may be a tarnish 'pimple' or a small area of plate loss (pitting). No significant dents or warping visible.
Value Estimate
$20 - $45 USD. Value in silver plate is driven by decorative appeal and utility rather than metal weight.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with mild soap and water. Use a non-abrasive silver cream like Wright's. Avoid 'dip' cleaners which can strip the thin silver plating and damage the darkened detail in the chased center.
Similar Pieces
International Silver 'Countess' pattern or Sheridan Silver Co. gadroon trays. The primary difference is the specific arrangement of the chased center and the weight of the base metal.
Interesting Facts
William A. Rogers was often involved in legal disputes over the 'Rogers' name, as there were many 'Rogers' silversmiths in the 19th century. To protect his brand, he used the Eagle and Star symbols to denote authenticity.