Victorian Style Rococo Revival Silver Plate Round Platter
Hollowware (Platter/Tray) · Likely American or British Mass-Producer (e.g., International Silver, Sheridan, or Poole Silver Co.). These pieces were often produced by mid-20th-century manufacturers emulating 19th-century English styles.
Pattern: Generic Rococo Revival Pattern featuring scalloped rims, shell motifs, and floral swags; similar to patterns like 'Countess' or 'Duchess'.
Type
Hollowware (Platter/Tray)
Maker
Likely American or British Mass-Producer (e.g., International Silver, Sheridan, or Poole Silver Co.). These pieces were often produced by mid-20th-century manufacturers emulating 19th-century English styles.
Material
Silver Plate (likely EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver) or Silver Plate over Copper. The base metal is revealed by the greenish/yellowish oxidation in worn areas.
Dimensions
Estimated 12 to 14 inches in diameter. Weight is approximately 800-1200 grams depending on whether the core is copper or nickel-brass.
Description
A classic circular serving platter featuring a heavily ornamented rim in the Rococo style. The center well is decorated with a complex medallion of scrolled acanthus leaves and floral patterns. While designed to look like an antique English masterpiece, this piece served as an accessible luxury for mid-century households, intended for holiday dinners and formal occasions.
Key Features
Scalloped 'shell and scroll' rim; intricate foliate machine-chasing in the center; heavy tarnish/patina suggestive of high copper content in the base metal.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (likely EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver) or Silver Plate over Copper. The base metal is revealed by the greenish/yellowish oxidation in worn areas.
Finish & Decoration
High-relief casting on the rim with scrolls, shells, and foliage; machine-chased (etched) foliate scrollwork on the well surface to hide scratches from use; scalloped edge.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Expected marks on the reverse: 'EPNS', 'Silver on Copper', or a manufacturer's pictorial mark (e.g., the crest of International Silver). No visible sterling '925' or lion passant marks indicated by the surface wear.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped body with an applied die-cast decorative rim. The chasing in the center is likely mechanically engraved rather than hand-chased.
Functional Features
Flat serving surface with a raised lip to contain liquids; centrally engraved 'well' designed to mask knife marks and wear.
Handle & Grip Details
No handles present (circular platter form). The rim provides a continuous grip area.
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial quality; the rim shows consistent die-struck repetition rather than hand-wrought variation. The soldering of the rim to the plate is cleanly executed by machine.
Authentication Indicators
The color of the tarnish (iridescent yellow/green) and the 'flatness' of the central engraving suggest silver plate rather than solid sterling. Lack of deep assay hallmarks supports this.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely USA (Providence, RI or Meriden, CT) or United Kingdom (Sheffield). Manufactured using industrial electroplating processes developed in the 19th century and refined in the 20th.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (c. 1940-1970) produced in the 'Victorian Rococo Revival' style, characterized by exuberant ornamentation and romanticized historical motifs.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1965. The depth of the casting and the specific style of machine chasing are indicative of post-WWII American silver plate production.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury in the 20th century, allowing middle-class families to emulate the 'Grand Manner' of dining found in aristocratic European estates.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. There is significant 'bleeding' (copper showing through the silver) and heavy tarnish/sulfide deposits. Surface shows some 'clouding' which indicates the plating is thin/worn.
Value Estimate
$20 - $55 USD. Value is based on decorative appeal rather than metal weight, as the silver content is negligible.
Care & Maintenance
Avoid abrasive cleaners which will remove the remaining thin layer of silver. Use a gentle cream like Wright's Silver Cream. Store in a Pacific Silvercloth bag to prevent further oxidation.
Similar Pieces
English Sheffield Plate (higher value, hand-rolled); Reed & Barton 'Francis I' (similar motif but usually sterling); Gorham 'Chantilly' hollowware.
Interesting Facts
Silver plate items like this were often given as wedding gifts in the mid-20th century. The elaborate center etching was functionally designed so that scratches from meat carving wouldn't be visible.