c. 1860s Rogers, Smith & Co. Pedestal Bowl

Sold as presented; to be candled by Salvage Bohemia.

Approx. 22 oz wax pour • $2.30 per oz

An exceptional example of mid-19th-century American silverplate, this antique pedestal waste bowl was produced under the Rogers, Smith & Co. name in New Haven, Connecticut. Dating to the Civil War era, the bowl features an elaborate grapevine design associated with the firm's No. 1950 tea service.

The generously rounded bowl rises from a turned pedestal and circular foot, with a gently flared rim and richly engraved decoration. Grapevine foliage, scrolling floral motifs, and decorative cartouches encircle the body, while a repeating oval border adds definition beneath the rim. Its classical silhouette and intricate ornamentation reflect the Rococo Revival and Grecian influences popular in American decorative arts during the mid-19th century.

The underside bears the impressed ROGERS, SMITH & CO. / NEW HAVEN, CT / No. 1950 mark. The design belongs to a family of grape-pattern silver-plated tea services associated with Reed & Barton, whose unfinished hollowware was reportedly supplied to other manufacturers for plating and finishing during this period.

Originally intended as a waste bowl within a formal tea service, this piece would have held spent tea leaves or the water used to rinse teacups. Today, its generous form makes it equally appealing as a decorative vessel for flowers, a tabletop centerpiece, or an addition to a collection of early American silverplate. 

Origin: New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Maker: Rogers, Smith & Co.
Period: Mid-19th century, circa 1863–1865
Pattern: No. 1950, grape-pattern tea service
Material: Silver-plated metal
Condition: Antique condition with surface scratches, tarnishing, and wear consistent with age and use. Please review photographs for details.