Wm. A. Rogers Silverplate Pedestal Vessel

This is a vintage silver-plated vessel, likely a vase or goblet, featuring a distinctly weighted pedestal base. The item displays a deep, dark oxidation or heavy tarnish across most of its exterior surface, which has masked the original bright silver finish. Underneath the base, there is a visible oval paper or foil label that reads 'Wm. A. ROGERS by ONEIDA LTD. SILVERSMITHS', indicating it was manufactured by Oneida Ltd. under the William A. Rogers brand name, a common mid-20th-century American silverplate mark. The construction appears to be silver-on-copper or a similar base metal, as evidenced by the brownish-orange corrosion and pitting visible on the underside of the base where the plating has worn thin or reacted to moisture. The base is circular with a flared rim, leading up to a bulbous body. Condition issues are significant, including heavy surface tarnish, potential plating loss (peeling), and spotting on the underside. There is also evidence of surface scratches and minor scuffs indicative of age and previous utilitarian use. The overall style is classic and minimalist, typical of mass-produced silverplate holloware from the 1940s to 1960s. The presence of the original sticker suggests it may not have been polished or used extensively in recent decades.

I have conducted a visual inspection of this silver-plated pedestal vessel, branded under the William A. Rogers line by Oneida Ltd. Based on the manufacturer's mark and construction, this piece is a mid-20th-century mass-produced item. The condition is poor to fair; there is significant heavy tarnish, oxidation, and visible corrosion on the underside. The presence of 'pitting' suggests a reaction in the base metal, likely copper or lead, which indicates the silver plating has been compromised. In today's market, there is a high surplus of mid-century silverplate holloware, and collector demand for Oneida's Wm. A. Rogers line remains low unless the pieces are in pristine or 'new-old-stock' condition. The significant labor required to polish and potentially re-plate this item far exceeds its market value. Comparables for similar tarnished Rogers vessels consistently sell in the $10-$20 range at estate sales and online auctions. A primary limitation of this appraisal is the inability to physically handle the item to check for structural dents, 'bleeding' (where the base metal shows through the silver), or to verify the weight. Authenticity as a Rogers/Oneida piece is confirmed by the label, but full valuation assumes no hidden structural cracks. To finalize this as a professional appraisal for insurance or estate purposes, an in-person inspection would be required to test the integrity of the metal and confirm the absence of lead-rot or deep pitting that could lead to structural failure.