Description

There are many cross symbols out there, as many as there are kingdoms and noble lines in Medieval Europe. This is a cross that’s more a form of cross design that has been used for many other types of crosses, rather than a type of cross in and of itself. The cross potent is also called a “crutch cross” because potent is basically a late Middle English alteration of Old French potence or “crutch”. In French, it’s called croix potencée and in German, it bears the melodic kruckenkreuz . What stands behind all those names, however, is a simple and symmetrical cross with short crossbars at the ends of each of its arms. This design differs from the traditional Christian or Latic cross that has a shorter horizontal line that sits near the upper end of the longer vertical line. To me, the cross in this hallmark looks like the “POTENT CROSS”. This pattern is "Tipped" introduced circa 1884 by William Rogers, Now, William A. Rogers was a small New York ‘storekeeper’ who marked his flatware with a “Rogers” stamp. He was granted permission as of 1900 to use the name “Wm. A. Rogers” on his silverplate pieces if he ensured that the silver content of his flatware was equal to that produced by the better-known Rogers Brothers. Wm. A Rogers Ltd was in operation 1900 - 1940, but t here is a bit of mystery as to his production of silverplate prior to the 1900 settlement with the Rogers & Bro. established as of 1858, for many years the plant in Waterbury was considered the most complete silverplating production facility in the country. Their line of flatware was stamped (Star) Rogers & Bro. A less expensive grade was trademarked R & B for (Rogers & Bro.) Rogers & Brother became part of the International Silver Company in 1898. It is that formalization of marks and trademarks required agreements to be worked out. Flatware is a generic term applied to the knives, forks spoons and other utensils people use to serve and eat food. Silver-plated flatware is made of a base metal like stainless steel, brass or copper that has been electroplated with silver. The plating is thinner than a human hair. Silver-plated flatware first appeared in the mid-19th century as manufacturers sought to expand their market by offering a low-priced alternative to pure sterling silverware. When not in use, keep these Sterling or Silver-Plated flatware in a closed drawer or chest lined with tarnish-resistant cloth. We do not recommend any of these three metals to be put in the dishwasher. If you choose to place them in a dishwasher, ensure that you do not mix metals in the same load. Remove flatware before the drying cycle and hand dry. Also, dishwashing detergents might contain bleach that remove the oxidation that was used to highlight pattern detail. Sterling and silver-plate do require periodic polishing with high-quality silver polish. -ONEIDA Silver-plated flatware, unlike sterling silver, has no intrinsic value. However, it does have some market value to flatware collectors, as long as the silver plating hasn’t worn through, and to people who seek to fill out incomplete flatware sets. According to the Silver Season website, more than 2,000 different silver-plated flatware patterns were produced from the 1850s to the 1950s, on more than 200 different types of eating and serving utensils. Certain makers’ marks denote better quality, including Gorham, Towle, Oneida Community and 1847 Rogers Bros. Silver-plated flatware is subject to black tarnish from atmospheric sulfur compounds. Silver plate stored in damp conditions will develop crusty green deposits from corrosion between the silver and the base metal. The Society of American Silversmiths advises that the best way to preserve your silver plate is to prevent tarnish and corrosion. Silver-plated flatware should be washed by hand with a non-lemon-scented, phosphate-free dish detergent and dried immediately with a soft dish towel. Never wash silver-plated flatware in a dishwasher, according to the Society of American Silversmiths, because the high heat and harsh detergents can damage the thin plating and loosen knife handles or non-metal components of the flatware. Also, pepper and salt corrode silver plating, so shakers should be emptied, washed and dried before storing.