W.M. Rogers Repoussé Eagle Finial Covered Butter Dish
Hollowware (Covered Butter Dish) · W.M. Rogers (International Silver Co.), a prolific American manufacturer of silver-plated wares, known for Victorian and Revival styles.
Pattern: Repoussé Scroll and Floral Pattern, mass-produced in the mid-20th century.
Type
Hollowware (Covered Butter Dish)
Maker
W.M. Rogers (International Silver Co.), a prolific American manufacturer of silver-plated wares, known for Victorian and Revival styles.
Material
Silver Plate on white metal/copper (EPNS or EPBM). No precious metal content beyond the surface thin plating.
Dimensions
Plate diameter approx. 7-8 inches; height to finial approx. 5 inches. Weight is heavy due to base metals rather than silver density.
Description
A classic American silver-plated butter dish featuring a high-domed lid adorned with an iconic eagle finial. The surface is heavily decorated with floral and acanthus scrollwork, designed to evoke a sense of heritage and formality on a mid-century dining table.
Key Features
Spread-wing eagle finial, dense floral chasing on lid and base, and thick rope-textured border.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate on white metal/copper (EPNS or EPBM). No precious metal content beyond the surface thin plating.
Finish & Decoration
Heavy repoussé floral chasing, gadroon (rope) border on the underplate, and a die-cast eagle finial. Style is a 20th-century interpretation of Victorian/Empire motifs.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Typically stamped 'W.M. Rogers' with an eagle and star symbol, or 'IS' for International Silver. It will likely say 'Silver Plate' or not mention purity, confirming it is not sterling.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped body with die-cast applied eagle finial. The plate is spun with a stamped rim border.
Functional Features
Removable domed lid to preserve freshness; wide underplate rim for handling and ice placement if a liner was originally included.
Handle & Grip Details
Cast metal eagle finial attached via a central screw or solder point; serves as the primary grip for the lid.
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial quality; the chasing is machine-impressed rather than hand-chased, and the finial shows standard casting seams.
Authentication Indicators
The presence of dark, dull tarnish rather than the glowing patina of sterling, plus the specific 'W.M. Rogers' pattern style, confirms its identity as silverplate.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States, likely Meriden, Connecticut (the hub of International Silver Co. production).
Era & Period
Mid-Century Revival / Late Art Deco (c. 1940-1960). It mimics 19th-century 'Eagle and Shield' federalism or Victorian ornate styles.
Age Estimate
Circa 1940-1955, based on the commonality of the eagle finial in American silverplate during that window.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Sunday Best' dining culture of the mid-20th century American middle class, where plated hollowware offered affordable elegance.
Condition Notes
Heavy tarnish and 'silver rot' (dark pitting) visible. Significant plate loss or 'bleeding' where the base metal shows through on the plate surface. Condition: Fair.
Value Estimate
$15 - $35 USD. Value is decorative/sentimental; there is no scrap silver value.
Care & Maintenance
Avoid aggressive polishing as the silver layer is already thin (visible copper/nickel). Use a mild cream like Wright's and a soft cloth; avoid dishwasher use.
Similar Pieces
Oneida silverplate butter dishes (often with glass liners) or Sheridan silverplate wares which use similar floral chasing.
Interesting Facts
The eagle finial was a popular patriotic motif used by W.M. Rogers to appeal to the post-WWII American market, often sold in department stores.