Imperial Stainless Inox Scroll Pattern Teaspoon
Flatware - Teaspoon · Imperial, a mid-market manufacturer specializing in mass-produced stainless steel flatware for domestic use.
Pattern: Generic Scroll/Floral Pattern; often unnamed or identified by house numbers, produced widely during the late 20th century.
Type
Flatware - Teaspoon
Maker
Imperial, a mid-market manufacturer specializing in mass-produced stainless steel flatware for domestic use.
Material
Stainless Steel (Inox), containing no actual silver; 'INOX' is the French/international term for stainless steel ('inoxydable').
Dimensions
Length approximately 6 inches (15 cm); weight approximately 30-40 grams, consistent with standard utility-grade flatware.
Description
This is a utilitarian stainless steel teaspoon featuring a traditional scrolled border design. It is designed for high durability and resistance to oxidation, serving as an everyday replacement for precious metal flatware.
Key Features
The 'INOX' stamp signifies it is rust-resistant steel; the 'KOREA' stamp identifies its export origin; the scrollwork provides a mass-market decorative look.
Material & Composition
Stainless Steel (Inox), containing no actual silver; 'INOX' is the French/international term for stainless steel ('inoxydable').
Finish & Decoration
Mirror-polished bowl with a stamped scroll and floral motif on a handle featuring a fiddle-back silhouette and recessed central panel.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped 'Imperial Stainless INOX' on the handle and 'KOREA' on the neck. These are manufacturing marks, not silver hallmarks.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped from a flat sheet of stainless steel; die-struck with a uniform thickness and no hand-finishing.
Functional Features
Standard oval bowl for stirring or eating; ergonomic curved handle for everyday grip.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid one-piece stainless steel construction; handle is integrated with the bowl, requiring no separate attachment.
Craftsmanship Details
Mass-produced industrial quality; edges are machine-beveled and the pattern is applied via high-pressure mechanical stamps.
Authentication Indicators
Clearly marked 'Stainless' and 'INOX', which immediately identifies the item as non-silver. Lack of silver hallmarks (like .925 or Lion Passant) confirms composition.
Origin & Manufacturing
Manufactured in South Korea, a major hub for outsourced flatware production for Western brands in the 1970s and 80s.
Era & Period
Modern Era (late 20th century), standard mid-market household utility design.
Age Estimate
Circa 1970s-1990s based on the 'KOREA' stamp and the Neo-Victorian stamped scroll design.
Cultural Significance
Represents the post-WWII shift from sterling and silverplate to low-maintenance stainless steel in average households.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Visible surface scratches (patina of use), light tarnish/water spots on the bowl, and some wear to the definition of the stamped pattern.
Value Estimate
$1.00 - $3.00 USD; primarily sold as replacement pieces on secondary markets for incomplete sets.
Care & Maintenance
Dishwasher safe; can be cleaned with standard detergent. Unlike silver, it does not require polishing to prevent tarnish.
Similar Pieces
Oneida, International Silver (Stainless lines), and Yamazaki produced nearly identical stamped scroll patterns in Korea or Japan.
Interesting Facts
Imperial became a household name by providing affordable 'sets' that mimicked more expensive silver patterns for middle-class consumers.