Bordas Silver Plated Italian Serving Piece
Flatware - Serving Piece (likely Large Serving Fork or Pastry Server) · Bordas (Italian Silversmith). Italian silver-working traditions are known for blending industrial efficiency with elegant Mediterranean design. Bordas is an Italian manufacturer that focused on high-quality plated hotelware and home serving pieces.
Pattern: Contemporary Minimalism / Modern Classic; common in the mid-to-late 20th century for hospitality and formal dining.
Type
Flatware - Serving Piece (likely Large Serving Fork or Pastry Server)
Maker
Bordas (Italian Silversmith). Italian silver-working traditions are known for blending industrial efficiency with elegant Mediterranean design. Bordas is an Italian manufacturer that focused on high-quality plated hotelware and home serving pieces.
Material
Silver Plate (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver). The base metal is likely brass or nickel silver, which has been electrochemically coated with a thin layer of fine silver.
Dimensions
Estimated handle width 2.5-3.5 cm. Weight is typically heavier than solid silver due to the dense base metal, likely weighing between 80g and 120g depending on total length.
Description
This Italian-made serving piece by Bordas exemplifies the sleek, functionalist aesthetic of late 20th-century European dining. Featuring a bold U-shaped cutout handle and a high-mirror silver-plated finish, it transitions easily from formal hotel service to a modern home table. Its generous proportions suggest it was intended as a serving implement, offering a substantial feel in the hand and a striking visual presence on a platter.
Key Features
The 'Borda's' brand mark, the 'Made in Italy' regional attribution, and the unique geometric hollow-out handle design.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver). The base metal is likely brass or nickel silver, which has been electrochemically coated with a thin layer of fine silver.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish finish with minimal decoration. The style is Modernist/Contemporary, emphasizing the sleek silhouette and the functional cutout (U-shape) in the handle rather than ornamental engraving.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped with 'SILVER PLATED' in an arch, the brand logo 'Borda's' in a stylized lowercase font, and 'MADE IN ITALY' at the base. These are commercial stamps rather than official state hallmarks for solid silver (purity marks).
Construction Details
Die-struck or machine-stamped from a flat sheet of base metal, then ground, polished, and electroplated. The edges appear smooth and machine-finished.
Functional Features
The distinctive elongated U-shaped cutout in the handle serves as both a design element and potentially a finger grip or hanging point.
Handle & Grip Details
Integrated solid flat handle (spatulate form) with a central void. The material is uniform with the head of the piece.
Craftsmanship Details
Good quality commercial manufacturing. The stamping is deep and legible, and the polishing has successfully removed manufacturing burrs, resulting in a smooth, high-contract reflective surface.
Authentication Indicators
The stamps are clearly factory-applied and consistent with Italian commercial export requirements. The lack of purity marks (like 800 or 925) confirms it is silver-plated.
Origin & Manufacturing
Origin: Italy. Known for luxury flatware production in regions like Milan, Vercelli, and Vicenza. Made in a commercial factory setting using modern electroplating techniques.
Era & Period
Late 20th Century (Post-Modern/Contemporary). This design eschews the ornate details of the Victorian or Rococo eras in favor of clean, architectural lines.
Age Estimate
Circa 1970–1990. The typography of the 'Borda's' stamp and the minimalist geometry are highly characteristic of late 20th-century Italian design.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the post-war shift toward accessible luxury and the dominance of 'Italian Modern' design in the culinary world.
Condition Notes
Good condition with signs of moderate surface wear, light micro-scratches, and minor tarnish (sulfide deposits). No significant 'plate loss' (where the base metal shows through) is visible in the photograph, though the reddish tint suggests reflections of the environment rather than copper bleed. Grade: Very Good.
Value Estimate
$15 - $35 USD. Value is driven by utility and design appeal rather than metal content, as silver plate has negligible melt value.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream (e.g., Wright's) and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive sponges which will strip the silver plating over time. Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth bag or chest.
Similar Pieces
Comparable to silver-plated serving ware by Sambonet or Alessi, though Borda's was often positioned as a more accessible commercial-to-residential brand.
Interesting Facts
Italy became a global leader in high-end silver-plated hotelware in the mid-century, supplying luxury ocean liners and European grand hotels with pieces that looked like sterling but offered the durability of plated base metals.