Mid-Century Modern 'Silver Pride' Silverplate Serving Spoons
Flatware - Serving Pieces (Large Serving Spoons) · The maker is identified by the brand 'SILVER PRIDE', which was a trade name typically associated with American silverplate manufacturers such as the International Silver Company or specialized distributors like the Silver Pride Company during the mid-20th century.
Pattern: Streamline Art Deco / Mid-Century Pattern (Reference Rp758275). This is a 'Design Registered' pattern featuring a sleek, clipped shoulder and tapered handle design typical of the 1940s-1950s.
Type
Flatware - Serving Pieces (Large Serving Spoons)
Maker
The maker is identified by the brand 'SILVER PRIDE', which was a trade name typically associated with American silverplate manufacturers such as the International Silver Company or specialized distributors like the Silver Pride Company during the mid-20th century.
Material
Silver Plated Base Metal (EPNS or Nickel Silver). There are no sterling silver hallmarks (no '925' or 'Sterling' stamp); the 'Silver Pride' mark specifically denotes a silver-plated product.
Dimensions
Estimated length: 8-9 inches (20-23 cm). Weights approximately 65-80 grams each. These are large serving spoons, significantly larger than standard teaspoons.
Description
A pair of substantial silverplate serving spoons in a sleek, modernist pattern. These pieces represent the mid-century American ethos of 'attainable luxury,' bringing the elegance of silver to the burgeoning middle-class suburban dinner table. The clean lines and lack of ornate floral engraving make them highly compatible with today's contemporary minimalist decor.
Key Features
Unique chevron shoulder junction, Registered Pattern number Rp758275, and 'Silver Pride' brand stamp. The primary innovation was the use of hard-wearing nickel silver base metal to ensure longevity of the plating.
Material & Composition
Silver Plated Base Metal (EPNS or Nickel Silver). There are no sterling silver hallmarks (no '925' or 'Sterling' stamp); the 'Silver Pride' mark specifically denotes a silver-plated product.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish finish with streamlined, minimalist geometric decoration. The design features a delicate drop-v chevron at the shoulder (where the bowl meets the stem) and parallel longitudinal lines along the shaft, characteristic of the Machine Age aesthetic.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The back of the handle is stamped with 'SILVER PRIDE - PLATE ON SILVER' or Nickel. The numeric stamp 'Rp758275' refers to a Registered Pattern number, indicating patent protection for the design.
Construction Details
Machine-made and die-struck. The spoons are stamped from a sheet of base metal and then electroplated with a thin layer of fine silver. The construction is solid and rigid to handle the weight of serving food.
Functional Features
Wide, deep ovate bowls designed for lifting large portions of side dishes, vegetables, or casseroles. Tapered handles provide a firm grip for leverage.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid metal handles, integral to the construction (one-piece). The flared 'fiddle-style' terminals are ergonomically designed for serving. Note: Silverplate handles stay cooler than solid silver in hot dishes.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial craftsmanship. The die-striking is crisp, the registration numbers are deeply impressed, and the plating shows good adherence despite years of use.
Authentication Indicators
The 'Silver Pride' mark is a known silverplate indicator. The clear, machine-stamped registration number and regular symmetry confirm mass-produced Industrial-era flatware rather than hand-wrought antique silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely manufactured in the United States (possibly Rhode Island or Connecticut) or potentially the UK, given the 'Rp' registration system common in Commonwealth and US patent tracking.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern (Late 1940s - 1950s). The design reflects the transition from Art Deco geometricism to the clean, 'Streamline' looks of post-WWII American table settings.
Age Estimate
Circa 1948-1955. The registration number and font style of the stamps are indicative of immediate post-war mass production.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the post-war boom in home entertaining and 'Sunday Best' dinner rituals. These spoons were often sold as part of large 'canteen' sets through department stores or as premiums in catalogs.
Condition Notes
Good to Very Good. There are visible surface scratches consistent with use. One spoon has a price sticker residue. There is no obvious 'bleeding' (base metal showing through the silver) on the heel of the bowls. Grade: Very Good.
Value Estimate
$5.00 - $15.00 USD per spoon. As silverplate, the value is decorative and functional rather than based on metal melt value. These are excellent 'entry-level' vintage pieces for functional use.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with mild dish soap; polish occasionally with a gentle cloth and non-abrasive cream like Wright’s Silver Cream. Avoid the dishwasher, as high heat and harsh detergents can strip the silver plating over time.
Similar Pieces
Often confused with International Silver 'DeepSilver' line or Oneida Community Plate. The key difference is the specific Registered Pattern number and the 'Silver Pride' nomenclature.
Interesting Facts
The 'Silver Pride' brand was marketed heavily as 'extra heavy plate,' promising consumers that the silver layer would not wear thin even with daily use, a common concern for post-war housewives.
Notes
Rp758275