International Silver Co. Chippendale Style Silverplated Gallery Coaster Tray
Hollowware (Wine Coaster / Small Gallery Tray) · International Silver Company (IS). Established in 1898 in Meriden, CT, as a corporation of numerous silver producers, becoming the world's largest silver manufacturer.
Pattern: Chippendale / Floral Scroll Engraved. This is a generic traditional pattern utilized across various 'IS' lines including Wm. Rogers and Sheridan.
Type
Hollowware (Wine Coaster / Small Gallery Tray)
Maker
International Silver Company (IS). Established in 1898 in Meriden, CT, as a corporation of numerous silver producers, becoming the world's largest silver manufacturer.
Material
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS). The base is a non-ferrous alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc, coated with a thin layer of silver via electrolysis.
Dimensions
Approximately 6 to 8 inches in diameter. Weight is negligible for value as it contains no scrap silver melt value.
Description
A classic silverplated gallery tray featuring a vertically pierced rim and a heavily decorated floor with floral scrolls. These pieces were designed to bring a touch of formal elegance to the American dining table, often used to hold wine bottles or small condiments while protecting linen tablecloths.
Key Features
Pierced gallery rim, gadroon border, and machine-engraved floral interior floor. Lightweight construction characteristic of 20th-century mass production.
Material & Composition
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS). The base is a non-ferrous alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc, coated with a thin layer of silver via electrolysis.
Finish & Decoration
Bright mirror polish with a machine-chased floral and scroll floor. Features a pierced 'gallery' rim with vertical slats and a gadroon (rope-like) molded border.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Likely stamped 'IS', 'International Silver Co.', or 'Wm. Rogers' on the underside, often accompanied by 'EP' or 'Silverplate'. Marks are hidden by the price tag in this view.
Construction Details
Mass-produced via machine stamping and die-cutting. The gallery is soldered to the base plate; the engraving is machine-pressed rather than hand-chased.
Functional Features
Raised pierced gallery to prevent items (like a wine bottle or decanter) from sliding off. The engraved floor hides scratches from glass/bottle movement.
Handle & Grip Details
None; this is a circular coaster tray designed for tabletop placement.
Craftsmanship Details
Machine-made. The precision of the piercings and the uniform depth of the floor pattern indicate mechanized production rather than artisan hand-tooling.
Authentication Indicators
The visual appearance of the metal, the machine-perfect repetition of the piercings, and the Goodwill price tag ($7.50) are consistent with common silverplate rather than sterling.
Origin & Manufacturing
USA. Likely manufactured in Connecticut or another American 'Silver City' factory during the peak of mid-century silverplate production.
Era & Period
Modern / Mid-to-Late 20th Century (c. 1950-1980). A revival style drawing from 18th-century Chippendale Neoclassical motifs.
Age Estimate
Circa 1960s-1970s. The crispness of the machine engraving and the specific style of the gadroon border suggest a late-mid-century production date.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Silver Age' of American domesticity where plated wares allowed average families to emulate the formal service styles of the aristocracy.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The silver plating appears intact with no visible 'bleeding' of the base metal. Some yellow-toned tarnish is present on the pierced gallery which requires cleaning.
Value Estimate
$10.00 - $20.00. The $7.50 price shown is a fair thrift-market price; retail antique mall pricing might be slightly higher.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream like Wright's. Avoid abrasive scrubbers which will strip the thin silver layer and expose the yellowish nickel-silver base.
Similar Pieces
Sheridan Silver Co. Gallery Trays (heavier), Leonard Silverplate (lighter), or vintage Sheffield Plate (which would be much older and feature fused silver).
Interesting Facts
The International Silver Company was responsible for many of the most famous patterns in American history, but they also produced millions of affordable silverplated items for the growing middle class after WWII.