International Silver Company Silver-Plated Pierced Bon Bon Dish
Hollowware (Bon Bon Dish/Nut Bowl) · International Silver Company (IS). Established in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut, IS was a corporation formed by the union of many independent New England silver companies. They were the world's largest manufacturer of silverware in the 20th century.
Pattern: Pattern #7014 (Late Victorian/Edwardian Revival Style)
Type
Hollowware (Bon Bon Dish/Nut Bowl)
Maker
International Silver Company (IS). Established in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut, IS was a corporation formed by the union of many independent New England silver companies. They were the world's largest manufacturer of silverware in the 20th century.
Material
Silver plate over base metal (likely nickel silver/EPNS or copper). The absence of a 'Sterling' mark and the specific C-in-a-diamond logo confirm this is a plated piece.
Dimensions
Estimated 5-7 inches in diameter and approximately 2 inches in height. Typical weight for such a piece is 150-250 grams depending on the base metal density.
Description
An attractive example of early 20th-century American silver plate, this bon bon dish features intricate scrollwork piercing that lightens its visual profile. The fluted body leads to a solid, stable base, creating a classic silhouette common in middle-class American parlors of the Interwar period.
Key Features
C-in-a-diamond trademark, decorative piercing, fluted side panels, and catalog number 7014. The piece lacks specialized handles, focusing on a clean, circular symmetry.
Material & Composition
Silver plate over base metal (likely nickel silver/EPNS or copper). The absence of a 'Sterling' mark and the specific C-in-a-diamond logo confirm this is a plated piece.
Finish & Decoration
Polished finish with pierced (openwork) floral and scroll motifs around the rim and fluted side panels. The style mimics the ornate Rococo Revival aesthetics popular in the early 20th century.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The underside features the 'C-in-a-diamond' logo, which was a specific trademark used by the International Silver Co. below it is the design/catalog number '7014'. It lacks a 'Sterling' stamp, indicating it is silver plate.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped and die-cut. The piece was likely formed using a drop press to create the fluting and shape, with the decorative piercing performed by a secondary stamping process.
Functional Features
Features a flared, pierced rim to allow for elegant presentation of candy, nuts, or small pastries. The solid circular base provides stability.
Handle & Grip Details
Small individual bowl form; no handles are present on this specific model.
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial quality production. The symmetry is excellent due to machine stamping, but it lacks the 'soul' and minute irregularities found in hand-chased or hand-pierced sterling silver of the same era.
Authentication Indicators
The C-in-a-diamond logo is a verified trade mark of International Silver. The wear pattern is consistent with electroplated items, where scratches appear differently than they would on solid .925 sterling.
Origin & Manufacturing
Meriden, Connecticut, USA. International Silver Co. was the primary economic driver of 'Silver City' (Meriden) during this period.
Era & Period
Early 20th Century (approx. 1910-1930). This era combined Victorian ornate sensibilities with the mass-production efficiencies of the American Industrial Revolution.
Age Estimate
Circa 1915-1925. The style of the '7000' series catalog numbers and the specific diamond logo placement are consistent with this timeframe.
Cultural Significance
Bon bon dishes represented the 'democratization' of luxury in early 1900s America, allowing middle-class households to mimic the formal tea and chocolate services of the elite at a lower price point.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. There is significant surface scratching and 'pitting' visible on the base. There are signs of 'bleeding' (where the silver layer has worn away to reveal the base metal) and heavy tarnish/oxidization in the crevices of the piercing.
Value Estimate
$15.00 - $35.00 USD. Value is limited as it is a common plated piece rather than solid sterling, and the condition shows significant wear to the plating.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild non-abrasive silver cream (like Wright's) and a soft cloth. Avoid heavy rubbing, as the silver plate layer is thin and can be completely removed, exposing the brassy or grey base metal beneath.
Similar Pieces
Similar styles were produced by Reed & Barton (Winthrop line) and Gorham (heritage plate), though the International Silver 7000-series is distinct for its specific piercing patterns.
Interesting Facts
International Silver Co. was so large that they produced everything from the 'cheap' plated spoons used in soda fountains to high-end sterling services for the White House.