International Silver Trays

Questions About International Silver Trays

• Is the International Silver Company real silver?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertSeptember 10, 2024

  Yes, the International Silver Company produced real silver products. The hallmark "IS," however, refers to the brand and does not indicate purity, as International Silver mass produced silverplated flatware and holloware as well as sterling. In order to determine if the piece is real silver, look for the standard marks that indicate purity — the number 92.5 or 925 and the word “sterling” are indicators of sterling quality.
  
  When an object is described as “silver” or “sterling silver,” it means that it contains 92.5% pure silver (the remaining 7.5% consists of copper and/or other alloys). The purity standard was first established in England and later adopted in the United States. The mark on antique British sterling-silver pieces is the lion passant (a lion walking to the left), which signifies a work is 92.5 percent pure sterling; if it’s not there, it is likely silverplate — or not English.
  
  International Silver was a Connecticut conglomerate formed from 17 companies in 1898. It was once the largest manufacturer of silver and silver-plated products in the world.
  
  Find antique International Silver Company serveware, platters and decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

• Is the International Silver Company still in business?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024

  No, the International Silver Company is not still in business. In 1981, the company stopped producing silver due to financial troubles. By 1983, its assets had undergone complete liquidation, and in 1984, Katy Industries Inc. purchased the company. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of International Silver Company silver wares.

• Are silver trays worth anything?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024

  Yes, some silver trays are worth something. If your tray is solid silver rather than silver plate, you can sell it on the scrap market and get the going rate for sterling or fine silver precious metals. Some trays may be worth more due to their age, style, maker and condition. Some makers that collectors often focus on include Georg Jensen, Tiffany & Co., Cristofle, Buccellati, Reed & Barton and Gorham. To get a rough idea of how much your tray may be worth, consider consulting a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of silver trays.

• How can you tell if a tray is pure silver?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertAugust 20, 2024

  The best way to tell if a tray is pure silver depends on what you mean by pure. It is very unlikely that any tray would be made of 100% pure silver. Generally, the highest purity of silver used to produce serveware is fine silver, which is 99.9% pure silver but still contains trace amounts of other metals. Sterling silver is much more commonly used to make trays and is 92.5% pure. To find out if your tray is made of fine silver, look for hallmarks that indicate its materials. Different countries employ varying silver hallmark systems, so research the marking using trusted online resources on your tray to determine its meaning. Alternatively, if by pure you mean solid silver that isn't plated, try placing a magnet near your tray. A strong attraction indicates that your tray features a thin layer of silver plating over a magnetic base metal. Should you need assistance identifying your tray, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can help you with the process. Find a wide range of silver trays on 1stDibs.

• How do I know if a silver tray is valuable?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024

  To know if a silver tray is valuable, search the piece for markings that indicate the maker and materials. You can compare these markings to images found on trusted online resources to determine what type of silver the tray is and who produced it, and then research what similar pieces have sold for in the past. Generally, sterling silver and fine silver items fetch higher prices than silverplate. However, the maker, type and condition of a tray will also impact its value. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can also perform a valuation for you. Shop an assortment of silver trays on 1stDibs.