International Silver Co. Heritage Pattern Silver-Plate Buffet Platter
Hollowware (Serving Platter/Tray) · International Silver Co. (IS), a major American conglomerate founded in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut. They were once the world's largest manufacturer of silverware, known for acquiring esteemed brands like Rogers Bros and Wilcox.
Pattern: Heritage (1847 Rogers Bros line), introduced in 1953. This is a highly popular mid-century floral traditional pattern that remained in production for decades.
Type
Hollowware (Serving Platter/Tray)
Maker
International Silver Co. (IS), a major American conglomerate founded in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut. They were once the world's largest manufacturer of silverware, known for acquiring esteemed brands like Rogers Bros and Wilcox.
Material
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). This is a base metal (typically a copper-nickel-zinc alloy) coated in a thin layer of pure silver via electroplating.
Dimensions
Estimated 12-16 inches in diameter/length. Weight is typically substantial due to the base metal, approximately 600-900 grams depending on specific size.
Description
A classic example of mid-20th-century Americana hostessing, this International Silver 'Heritage' platter features a deeply embossed border of roses and scrollwork. The mirrored center surface was designed to reflect light during formal dinners, though this example currently bears the character of heavy use and age-related tarnishing.
Key Features
Pierced floral rim, 'Heritage' rose motifs, large oval/round format, and the '1847 Rogers Bros' lineage which is among the most recognized names in plated silver.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). This is a base metal (typically a copper-nickel-zinc alloy) coated in a thin layer of pure silver via electroplating.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish center with a heavy floral and scroll border in the Rococo Revival style. Features pierced/openwork sections along the rim with repoussé floral clusters including roses and leaf scrolls. The center flat surface currently shows heavy oxidation and 'plate loss' spotting.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Typically stamped on the underside with '1847 ROGERS BROS' and 'IS' symbol, followed by 'HERITAGE'. Marks on this specific piece are obscured but consistent with mass-produced American silver-plate of the mid-20th century.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped and die-struck. The elaborate border is likely cast or heavily embossed using industrial molds, then soldered to the main body. This is a mass-produced item rather than a hand-wrought piece.
Functional Features
Large flat surface area for serving meats or appetizers; raised decorative rim to contain juices or prevent items from sliding off.
Handle & Grip Details
This specific piece is a platter without handles, relying on the wide, reinforced decorative rim for gripping.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial manufacturing for the era. The die-work for the flowers is crisp, but the piece lack unique hand-chasing marks. Evidence of machine polishing is visible in the grain of the surface wear.
Authentication Indicators
The border pattern is the primary identifier for the Heritage line. The wear pattern (revealing base metal) is a definitive indicator of silver plate rather than solid sterling silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States; manufactured in Meriden, Connecticut, by the International Silver Company factories.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Traditional (Post-War 1950s). While the style is Rococo Revival, the manufacturing technology and pattern date to the early 1950s.
Age Estimate
Circa 1953-1970. The amount of wear and the specific Heritage pattern suggest an earlier production run within this range.
Cultural Significance
Represents the post-WWII boom in suburban formal dining, where silver-plated hollowware allowed middle-class families to emulate the 'solid silver' look of the aristocracy.
Condition Notes
Fair to Poor. Significant surface scratches are visible. There is a prominent 'copper spot' or area of heavy corrosion in the center where the silver plating has been worn away or chemically etched, exposing the base metal. Heavy tarnish/film throughout.
Value Estimate
$15 - $45 USD. Silver-plated serving pieces have low resale value unless in pristine condition or by a prestigious maker like Tiffany or Christofle. The visible plate loss significantly reduces value to a 'utility' or 'shabby chic' level.
Care & Maintenance
Requires gentle polishing with a non-abrasive silver cream (e.g., Wright's). Avoid 'silver dips' which can strip the thin plating. Once the copper base is exposed (as seen in the center), the silver cannot be 'cleaned' back—it must be professionally re-plated.
Similar Pieces
Reed & Barton 'Francis I' (more expensive, often sterling), Wallace 'Grand Baroque' (more ornate), Gorham 'Chantilly' (simpler scrollwork).
Interesting Facts
The '1847' in the brand name does not mean the piece was made in 1847; it refers to the year the Rogers brothers perfected the electroplating process in Hartford, CT.