Revelation Silver Plate Pattern Table Spoon by International Silver Co.
Flatware - Table Spoon · International Silver Company (IS). Formed in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut, through the merger of various American silver manufacturers, they were once the world's largest manufacturer of silver and silver plate.
Pattern: Revelation pattern; introduced in 1938 and discontinued shortly after mid-century.
Type
Flatware - Table Spoon
Maker
International Silver Company (IS). Formed in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut, through the merger of various American silver manufacturers, they were once the world's largest manufacturer of silver and silver plate.
Material
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). This is a base metal (typically copper, nickel, and zinc alloy) coated with a thin layer of pure silver via electrolysis.
Dimensions
Estimated length of 7 to 8.5 inches (Table/Serving Spoon size). Weight estimated between 50-70 grams; silver plated items are generally heavier than sterling due to the base metal density.
Description
This is a quintessential example of American Depression-era silver plate. The Revelation pattern was marketed as an affordable luxury for households wanting the look of fine sterling silver without the high cost. It features a classic streamlined aesthetic with delicate engraving that bridges the gap between traditional floral styles and modernist geometry.
Key Features
Explicit 'REVELATION SILVER PLATE' branding; Art Deco foliate engraving; heavy electroplate finish intended for high-frequency use.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). This is a base metal (typically copper, nickel, and zinc alloy) coated with a thin layer of pure silver via electrolysis.
Finish & Decoration
Bright-polish finish with Art Deco leaf and line engraving along the handle neck. The pattern features stylized, elongated floral or foliate motifs characteristic of late 1930s design.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The reverse of the handle is clearly stamped 'REVELATION SILVER PLATE'. This is a trade name mark rather than a hallmark, explicitly identifying the metal content as plated rather than sterling.
Construction Details
Mass-produced via die-striking. High-pressure heavy steel dies were used to stamp the shape and pattern into a single sheet of base metal before the electroplating process.
Functional Features
Ovoid bowl with a tapered neck for serving; no mechanical features. Designed for durability and regular dining use.
Handle & Grip Details
Single-piece solid construction handle. The handle tapers from the neck to a wider flared end (partially visible), designed for ease of use in American formal dining service.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard commercial grade die-striking. The engraving is sharp but uniform, indicating machine production rather than hand-chasing. Symmetry is excellent, typical of industrial factory standards.
Authentication Indicators
The stamp is definitive. There are no sterling markings (.925 or 'Sterling'). The wear pattern, showing base metal beneath the silver, confirms it is an electroplated piece.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States of America, likely manufactured in Meriden, Connecticut, at one of the International Silver Company's central production facilities.
Era & Period
Late Art Deco / Machine Age (c. 1938). The pattern utilizes streamlined, repetitive geometric and organic motifs typical of the pre-WWII American aesthetic.
Age Estimate
Circa 1938-1950. The 'Revelation' mark and pattern style are specific to this mid-20th-century production window.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the democratization of formal dining in early 20th-century America, where plated sets allowed families to set a 'proper table' during economic recovery periods.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Visible 'plate loss' or 'bleeding' where the base metal shows through the silver layer (yellowish/brass tones in the bowl). Significant surface scratches, micro-pitting, and heavy tarnish are present.
Value Estimate
$2 - $10 USD. As a single piece of silver plate with visible wear and plate loss, its value is primarily functional or sentimental rather than as a precious metal investment.
Care & Maintenance
Gentle hand washing in warm soapy water. Use a non-abrasive silver cream like Wright's only when necessary, as excessive polishing will eventually remove the remaining silver layer and expose the base metal.
Similar Pieces
International Silver's 'DeepSilver' or '1847 Rogers Bros' lines. Unlike those high-tier plated lines, 'Revelation' was often sold as a more budget-friendly variant.
Interesting Facts
The Revelation brand was one of International Silver's many promotional lines used to reach middle-class consumers through department store catalogs and 'silver clubs' during the late 1930s.