International Silver Co. 'Victorian Rose' Pattern Silverplate Meat Serving Fork
Flatware - Serving Piece (Meat Fork) · International Silver Co. under the Rogers (IS) brand. Founded in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut, they were the world's largest manufacturer of silverplate, famously bringing high-end designs to the mass market.
Pattern: Victorian Rose, introduced in 1944. It was a highly successful mid-century pattern designed to evoke the ornate aesthetic of the late 19th century.
Type
Flatware - Serving Piece (Meat Fork)
Maker
International Silver Co. under the Rogers (IS) brand. Founded in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut, they were the world's largest manufacturer of silverplate, famously bringing high-end designs to the mass market.
Material
Silver plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver). The base is a non-precious nickel-copper-zinc alloy with a thin layer of pure silver electrochemically applied to the surface.
Dimensions
Standard large serving meat fork; approximately 8.5 to 9 inches (21-23 cm) in length. Weight is approximately 70-85 grams.
Description
An ornate meat serving fork in the 'Victorian Rose' pattern. This piece features a lush arrangement of blooming roses and scrollwork along the handle edges, providing a romantic and heavy feel. It was designed to bring the elegance of the Victorian age to the American dining table at a more accessible price point than solid sterling.
Key Features
Distinctive 'Victorian Rose' floral motif at the base and tip of the handle; hallmark 'IS' indicates mid-20th century American production.
Material & Composition
Silver plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver). The base is a non-precious nickel-copper-zinc alloy with a thin layer of pure silver electrochemically applied to the surface.
Finish & Decoration
High-polish mirror finish with oxidized recessed areas in the floral pattern for contrast. Features neo-Victorian floral clusters (roses and leaves) and flowing scrollwork edges at the handle end and throat.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped 'ROGERS IS' or 'WM. ROGERS & SON IS' followed by 'VICTORIAN ROSE'. The 'IS' mark signifies International Silver Company. It lacks the word 'Sterling', identifying it as plate.
Construction Details
Mass-produced via die-striking from heavy-gauge blanks. Tines and handle are a single flat piece of metal reinforced with thick silver plating to withstand daily use.
Functional Features
Three or four sharp tines (image shows four) designed for piercing and serving sliced meats or roasts; an elegantly curved neck for leverage while serving.
Handle & Grip Details
Wavy, scalloped handle profile with a wider terminal (tip) for better grip. Solid metal core throughout with no hollow elements.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard industrial die-struck quality. The ornamentation is consistent and well-defined but lacks the hand-chased depth found on high-end sterling pieces from the same era.
Authentication Indicators
The 'IS' mark is the industry standard indicator for the International Silver Co. The pattern matches documented catalog entries for Victorian Rose (1944).
Origin & Manufacturing
USA; Meriden, Connecticut. Manufactured in high-output industrial factories following the consolidation of various American silversmiths.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern (produced 1940s-1950s) but designed in a Neo-Rococo/Neo-Victorian revival style common for formal dining sets of that era.
Age Estimate
Circa 1944-1960. The design reflects the mid-century appetite for traditional-looking dinnerware for the post-war suburban lifestyle.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Aspiration Class' of 20th-century America, where families sought to emulate aristocratic dining traditions using durable and beautiful silverplated sets.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Visible minor surface scratches and significant tarnish are present; no major bent tines. Appears to have 'plate loss' (wear to the base metal) on some high points of the scrolls.
Value Estimate
$10.00 - $25.00 USD. Serving pieces in this pattern are common and carry value primarily for people completing family sets rather than for scrap metal value.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream (e.g., Wright's) and a soft cotton cloth. Avoid abrasive sponges which will strip the thin silver plating and reveal the yellow/dull base metal underneath.
Similar Pieces
Oneida 'Evening Star', International Silver 'Spring Glory', or Reed & Barton 'Dancing Flowers'. The key difference is the specific rose-cluster arrangement and the IS manufacturer mark.
Interesting Facts
The Victorian Rose pattern was released during WWII, a time when silver production was limited due to metal rationing, making its immediate post-war popularity very high for new brides.