International Silver Co. 'Countess' Pattern Silver Plate Open Sugar Bowl
Tea Service / Hollowware (Sugar Bowl) · International Silver Company (IS), Meriden, Connecticut. Formed in 1898 from a consortium of leading American silver manufacturers including Rogers Bros and Meriden Britannia Co. Known for high-quality production across all price points.
Pattern: 'Countess' pattern, also cataloged as pattern number 6002. A popular Mid-Century revival pattern introduced circa 1950, widely used for affordable luxury tea services.
Type
Tea Service / Hollowware (Sugar Bowl)
Maker
International Silver Company (IS), Meriden, Connecticut. Formed in 1898 from a consortium of leading American silver manufacturers including Rogers Bros and Meriden Britannia Co. Known for high-quality production across all price points.
Material
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). The base metal is a non-ferrous alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc, which is then electroplated with a thin layer of fine silver.
Dimensions
Standard open sugar size: approximately 4 inches high, 6 inches handle-to-handle. Weight is typically around 250-350 grams due to the heavy nickel-silver base metal.
Description
This 'Countess' pattern open sugar bowl by International Silver Co. embodies the grace of mid-20th-century American dining. With its pumpkin-like lobed body and regal acanthus-leaf feet, it offers a sophisticated silhouette that mimics far more expensive sterling originals. The scalloped rim adds a playful texture to the polished surface, creating a piece that performs as well as a centerpiece as it does a functional part of a tea service.
Key Features
Scalloped rim, lobed 'melon' body, four-point footed base, C-scroll ornate handles, and the distinctive '6002' pattern profile.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). The base metal is a non-ferrous alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc, which is then electroplated with a thin layer of fine silver.
Finish & Decoration
High-polish mirror finish with a scalloped ('crenellated') rim and lobed/melon-style body. Decorative elements include cast rococo-style C-scroll handles and four acanthus-leaf-capped cabriole feet. Style is Mid-Century Neoclassical Revival.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Usually stamped on the underside with 'International Silver Co.', 'Countess', and the pattern number '6002'. Lack of a 'Sterling' mark and the presence of slight 'bleeding' at the rim confirms it is silver plate.
Construction Details
Spun hollowware body with machine-stamped scalloped top. The handles and feet are separately cast and attached using soft solder. The plating is applied after assembly.
Functional Features
Open top (no lid) for quick access to sugar lumps or granulated sugar. Wide mouth to accommodate tongs. The dual handles provide balance for passing the vessel at the table.
Handle & Grip Details
Cast white metal handles with silver plating. They feature an ergonomic thumb rest at the top and ornate scrollwork consistent with the Louis XV revival style.
Craftsmanship Details
Machine-aided manufacturing with hand-finished assembly. The casting of the feet is crisp, showing good quality control for mass-produced American hollowware.
Authentication Indicators
The lack of sterling hallmarks (Lion Passant or 925) indicates plated ware. The joining lines at the base of the feet are characteristic of high-volume mid-century silver plate. The 'Countess' stamp on the bottom (not shown but assumed based on form) is the definitive ID.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States of America, specifically Meriden, CT (the 'Silver City'), utilizing industrial mass-production plating techniques.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern era (c. 1950s-1960s). This period saw a huge surge in 'traditional' revival styles for the exploding suburban middle class in America.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1965. The design and the specific International Silver branding style are indicative of this mid-20th-century period.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of 'luxury' in post-war America, where silver-plated services allowed families to mimic the formal dining traditions of the upper class at a fraction of the cost.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The exterior shows high reflectivity, but the interior exhibits significant dark tarnish (sulfide buildup) common in sugar bowls. Minor surface micro-scratching. No visible 'bleeding' (copper/brass showing through silver).
Value Estimate
$15 - $35 USD for the individual sugar bowl. Complete tea sets in this pattern typically sell for $100 - $250 depending on condition.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a non-abrasive silver cream (e.g., Wright's). Avoid 'dips' which can damage the soft solder joins. Dry thoroughly to prevent water spots. Store in a Pacific Silvercloth bag.
Similar Pieces
Wallace 'Baroque' (higher end plate), International Silver 'Joan of Arc' (simpler lines), or Reed & Barton 'Winthrop' (more traditional colonial look).
Interesting Facts
The 'Countess' pattern was often sold through catalogs and department stores as part of a 4-piece or 5-piece tea set that was a staple wedding gift for the 'Mad Men' generation.