Silver Overlay Decorative Bucket (Ice Bucket or Planter)
Other (Decorative Accent/Accessories) · Art Nouveau/Beaux-Arts influence, Mid-20th Century Revival (c. 1940-1960) · Likely Silver City Glass Co. or Rockwell Silver Company; these firms specialized in this specific 'Silver City' style overlay.
Type
Other (Decorative Accent/Accessories)
Style Period
Art Nouveau/Beaux-Arts influence, Mid-20th Century Revival (c. 1940-1960)
Material
Clear blown glass body with sterling silver electroplated overlay. No metal alloys or wood present.
Age Estimate
Circa 1940-1955 based on the scroll pattern and the thickness of the silver deposition.
Dimensions
Height: 6-8 inches; Diameter: 7-9 inches. Smaller than a standard floor planter, consistent with tabletop barware.
Origin
United States (likely Meriden, Connecticut, known as the 'Silver City' during the peak of this industry).
Designer/Maker
Likely Silver City Glass Co. or Rockwell Silver Company; these firms specialized in this specific 'Silver City' style overlay.
Value Estimate
$40 - $85 USD depending on the specific maker's mark on the base and the absence of chips. Retail/secondary market value.
Description
An elegant tapered glass vessel featuring a dense, heavy silver overlay in an ornate rococo-revival style. The design incorporates intricate C-scrolls and foliate motifs that wrap around the circumference in repeating panels. Its translucent body creates a play of light and shadow, highlighting the contrast between the reflective silver and the depth of the glass.
Key Features
Tapered bucket silhouette, sterling silver overlay 'shield' pattern, lack of handles, tarnished silver patina, flat ground base.
Color & Finish
Clear glass base with a tarnished silver patina. The silver shows characteristic darkening (sulfidation) consistent with aged sterling silver.
Construction Method
Mold-blown or hand-blown glass vessel finished with a chemical electro-deposition process to apply a thin layer of silver directly onto the glass surface.
Joinery & Craftsmanship
Seamless glass construction. The silver overlay shows high-relief scrolling but exhibits some texture irregularities typical of the mid-century deposition process.
Wood Grain & Species
None
Surface Treatment
Etched and plated surface. The silver has been applied in a 'scroll and shield' pattern, leaving the clear glass visible in the negative spaces.
Upholstery Details
None
Hardware & Fittings
N/A; The piece lacks handles or bails, which is atypical for ice buckets but common for floral cachepots or low-profile coolers.
Origin & Provenance
United States (likely Meriden, Connecticut, known as the 'Silver City' during the peak of this industry).
Condition Notes
Good condition. There is visible tarnish on the silver (removable with polishing) and minor surface scratches on the bottom. The silver appears largely intact with no major peeling/lifting. Grade: Good.
Interesting Facts
The 'Silver City' process involved a secret flux that allowed silver to bond permanently to glass, a technique that was highly popular for wedding gifts in the 1950s.
Cultural Significance
Representative of mid-century American formal entertaining and the transition of silver from solid flatware to decorative household 'jewelry' glass.
Similar Pieces
Often confused with 'Silver Deposit' glass, which is usually thinner; or Venetian glass, which typically uses gold leaf or internal silvering rather than external overlay.
Care & Maintenance
Wash by hand with mild soap only. Polish silver with a specialized cloth; avoid abrasive dips or dishwashers which will cause the silver to flake off the glass.
Value Estimate
$40 - $85 USD depending on the specific maker's mark on the base and the absence of chips. Retail/secondary market value.
Sustainability Notes
Inherently sustainable as a vintage item. Glass and silver are both infinitely recyclable, though this piece is best preserved for its aesthetic value.