Sheridan Silver Co. Engraved Silver-Plated Round Butler's Tray
Hollowware (Serving Tray/Platter) · Sheridan Silver Co., founded in 1946 in Taunton, Massachusetts. Known for mass-produced, mid-century silver-plated hollowware following the tradition of New England silversmithing. Sheridan was later acquired by Taunton Silversmiths (a division of Lenox) in the 1970s.
Pattern: Scroll and Floral Chased Center, Classic Border
Type
Hollowware (Serving Tray/Platter)
Maker
Sheridan Silver Co., founded in 1946 in Taunton, Massachusetts. Known for mass-produced, mid-century silver-plated hollowware following the tradition of New England silversmithing. Sheridan was later acquired by Taunton Silversmiths (a division of Lenox) in the 1970s.
Material
Silver plate over base metal (typically copper or brass). Composition is likely EPNS (Electroplated Nickel Silver) or Electroplated Copper. The yellowish tint in worn areas suggests a copper or brass base metal beneath the silver layer.
Dimensions
Approximately 12 to 14 inches in diameter; weight is estimated at 600-900 grams depending on base metal thickness.
Description
A classic example of mid-20th-century American silver plate, this round butler's tray by Sheridan features a densely decorated floor of scrolling vines and blossoms. The bright-polished raised rim provides a clean architectural frame for the ornate interior. Common in many households during the mid-century as an accessible luxury, it reflects the social era of cocktail parties and formal home entertaining.
Key Features
Machine-chased floral floor, low-profile rim, 'Silver on Copper' construction, Sheridan crown logo presence.
Material & Composition
Silver plate over base metal (typically copper or brass). Composition is likely EPNS (Electroplated Nickel Silver) or Electroplated Copper. The yellowish tint in worn areas suggests a copper or brass base metal beneath the silver layer.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror-polished rim with a machine-chased or stamped floor featuring scrolling foliate and floral motifs. The decoration is designed to mimic hand-engraving. The piece shows significant tarnish with iridescent 'rainbow' patination and some possible 'bleed-through' of the base metal on the edges.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Likely stamped on the underside with a crown mark (pseudo-hallmark), 'SHERIDAN', and 'SILVER ON COPPER' or 'EPC'. The crown mark was a marketing device used by the company to imply prestige.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped and spun construction. The floor decoration is applied via a mechanical die-rolling or stamping process rather than hand-chased. The rim is likely reinforced with a simple rolled edge.
Functional Features
Low-profile flat serving surface designed for cocktails, appetizers, or as a base for a tea set. The textured floor serves a functional purpose of hiding knife scratches from use.
Handle & Grip Details
This specific model is a 'waiter' style tray without handles (rim-grip only).
Craftsmanship Details
Commercial-grade production. The pattern is consistent and repetitive, indicating mechanical manufacture. The finish is professional but lacks the depth of hand-chasing found in earlier 19th-century pieces.
Authentication Indicators
Characteristic Sheridan machine-stamping patterns; 'rainbow' tarnish typical of silver plate exposed to humidity; wear patterns consistent with electroplated copper rather than solid sterling.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States, Taunton, Massachusetts. This city was known as the 'Silver City' due to the high concentration of makers like Reed & Barton and Poole.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern / Post-WWII (1950s-1970s). The design is a 'revival' style, blending traditional Victorian floral motifs with modern mass-production techniques.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1975 based on the style of the chasing and the maker's peak production era.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'democratization' of silver in post-war America, where silver-plated items became standard wedding gifts and household staples for the growing middle class.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Significant surface tarnish (sulfide layer) is present across the floor. There is visible 'bleeding' (copper showing through) along the top edge and high points of the stamping, indicating aggressive prior polishing or heavy use. No major dents are visible from the top view.
Value Estimate
$15.00 - $35.00 USD. Value is driven by decorative utility rather than intrinsic metal content.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a non-abrasive silver cream like Wright's or Hagerty. Because the silver layer is thin (especially with copper already showing), avoid 'silver dips' or heavy scrubbing which will further expose the base metal. Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth bag.
Similar Pieces
International Silver Co. 'Countess' pattern or Leonard Silver trays. Unlike higher-end Reed & Barton 'Francis I' sterling trays, these are mass-market plated alternatives.
Interesting Facts
Sheridan often used a crown hallmark that mimicked prestigious English marks to appeal to the post-war American 'Old World' aesthetic, despite being a relatively modern American factory.