International Silver Company 'Danish Rose' Silver-Plated Lidded Syrup Pitcher with Spoon
Hollowware (Syrup Pitcher/Condiment Jar) · International Silver Company (IS). Formed in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut, by merging several American silver manufacturers. They were known for high-quality silver-plated wares and sterling flatware.
Pattern: Danish Rose (later renamed Floral Rose). Introduced mid-20th century. This pattern was popular in mass-market silver-plated hollowware collections.
Type
Hollowware (Syrup Pitcher/Condiment Jar)
Maker
International Silver Company (IS). Formed in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut, by merging several American silver manufacturers. They were known for high-quality silver-plated wares and sterling flatware.
Material
Silver Plate (likely Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). The piece is made of a base metal alloy (copper, nickel, or white metal) coated in a thin layer of silver through electrolysis.
Dimensions
Estimated height: 5-6 inches; weight: approximately 300-400 grams. It is typical for individual breakfast table service.
Description
An attractive example of mid-century American silverplate, this syrup pitcher utilizes the popular 'Danish Rose' motif to create a sense of neoclassical luxury. The contrast between the heavily decorated upper half and the smooth, tapered lower body provides a balanced aesthetic suitable for an elegant breakfast or brunch service.
Key Features
Distinctive notched lid for spoon storage, high-relief rose borders, and the specific International Silver 'Danish Rose' decorative banding.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (likely Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). The piece is made of a base metal alloy (copper, nickel, or white metal) coated in a thin layer of silver through electrolysis.
Finish & Decoration
Features a heavy floral repoussé-style decoration with rose and leaf motifs. The surface shows high-relief molding on the lid and upper body. It has an antiqued or oxidized finish in the recessed areas to accentuate the detail, with a mirror polish on the smooth lower section.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Usually stamped on the underside with 'IS' (International Silver), 'Danish Rose', and/or 'Silverplate'. It lacks the 'Sterling' or '.925' mark required for solid silver pieces.
Construction Details
Machine-manufactured and die-struck. The floral patterns are achieved through mechanical stamping rather than hand-chasing. The handle is cast and soldered to the main body.
Functional Features
Includes a fitted domed lid with a notch to accommodate a spoon (notched lid). It features a small pouring spout and a pedestals foot for stability.
Handle & Grip Details
Features a simple, vertically oriented 'C' handle made of silver-plated base metal, soldered at two points. The lid also features a central raised boss for gripping.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard commercial craftsmanship. The seams are well-hidden, and the die-striking is crisp, though it lacks the depth and variation of true hand-wrought repoussé work.
Authentication Indicators
Identification is based on the specific die-struck floral pattern which is a signature of International Silver's mid-century catalogs. The weight-to-size ratio and color of the tarnish are consistent with silver-plated hollowware.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States of America, likely Meriden, Connecticut. Manufactured in a factory setting characterized by high-volume production.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern / Mid-20th Century (Circa 1950s-1970s). The design mimics earlier Victorian Repoussé styles but with modern mass-production techniques.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1965. Based on the pattern style and the 'IS' branding era.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury in post-WWII America, where middle-class families could own 'silver' sets that mimicked the ornate styles of the 19th-century aristocracy.
Condition Notes
The item shows significant heavy tarnish (sulfide deposits) that has turned the silver dark grey/black. There is possible 'plate loss' (wearing through to the base metal) on the high points of the floral design. Overall condition: Good (requires cleaning).
Value Estimate
$15 - $35 USD. Silver-plated hollowware from this era is common; value is primarily decorative unless part of a very large, pristine set.
Care & Maintenance
Should be cleaned with a non-abrasive silver cream (e.g., Wright's). Avoid silver dips which may strip the plating. Use a soft horsehair brush for the crevices of the rose pattern. Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth bag.
Similar Pieces
Wallace 'Rose Point' hollowware (usually higher quality), Gorham 'Strasbourg' (more floral details), or Reed & Barton 'Winthrop' (similar footprint but different pattern).
Interesting Facts
The 'Danish Rose' pattern was so successful that it was often used as a promotional item or 'premium' by department stores and grocery chains in the mid-20th century.