Middletown Plate Company designs in collections, at auction and in exhibitions

The Middletown Plate Company joined the International Silver Co. in 1899. Some of the original staff then formed a new company called the Middletown Silver Company.

Middletown Plate Co centerpiece


Above, illustration of Middletown Plate Co. centerpiece (c. 1876) in Souvenir of the Centennial Exhibition: Connecticut’s representation at Philadelphia, (p. 107). For more information, see the listing on the parallel Middletown Plate Co. design catalogues and historical information webpage. Also, see the design (1875) listed and linked below, recently located, in the collection of the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.


In 1899, the Middletown Plate Company became part of the International Silver Company. The Middletown Plate Co. trademark was used by International Silver until 1921. Middletown Plate Company’s secondary trademark, Superior Silver Co., was used on a less expensive line by Wilcox Silver Plate Co. (an International Silver Co. division after 1898), until 1941.


Info/photo status: = info and photo online
= info online, no photo
= completely offline


Middletown Plate Company designs in collections [1]


1860s

c. 1860 - candy dish

Middletown Plate Company. (c. 1860). Candy dish. (Accession no. N-46. Viewed 10 April 2017. A02147.)

1864-80 - card receiver

Middletown Plate Company. (1864-80). Card receiver. Quadruple silver plate. (Accession no. 1988-22-2. Viewed 18 October 2018. J00217).

1864-97 - compote

Middletown Plate Company. (1864-97). Compote. Silver or silver plate. (Cat. no. 88.32.30. Viewed 18 July 2018. G02930-31).

1864-98 - dish on stand

Middletown Plate Company. (1864-98). Dish on stand. (Object ID no. H.6200.684. Viewed 25 July 2018. C00138).

1864-98 - lidded butter dish

Middletown Plate Company. (1864-98). Lidded butter dish. (Accession no. 1949.13.6a-c. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B02.)

  • Offline - Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, CT.

1864-98 - card tray

Middletown Plate Company. (1864-98). Card tray. (Accession no. 1972.12.0a,b. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B03.)

  • Offline - Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, CT.

1864-98 - compote

Middletown Plate Company. (1864-98). Compote. (Accession no. 1979.34.4. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B06.)

  • Offline - Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, CT.

1864-98 - cup and saucer

Middletown Plate Company. (1864-98). Cup and saucer. (Accession no. 1981.115.6a,b. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B07.)

  • Offline - Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, CT.

1864-98 - cake basket

Middletown Plate Company. (1864-98). Cake basket (with "handle, decorated with medallions, animal-shaped legs and a dog"). Silver plate. (Accession no. 1974.82.22. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B04.)

  • Offline - Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, CT.

after 1865 - syrup pitcher

Middletown Plate Company. (after 1865). Syrup pitcher. Silver plate. Accession no. 258258. (Viewed 30 December 2016. A01406.)

c. 1866 - mustache cup

Middletown Plate Company. (c. 1866). Mustache cup. Silver plate. (Accession no. D1981.28.268A. Viewed 14 August 2016. AAA00053-103.)

  • Offline - Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC.



Click the following link to see the parallel webpage - Middletown Plate Company design catalogues and historical documentation.



1870s

c. 1870 - tea urn

Middletown Plate Co. (c. 1870). Tea urn. Metal, wood. (Cat. no. 2007.05.01.av. Viewed 3 July 2018. G02212-13).

c. 1870 - serving tray

Middletown Plate Company. (c. 1870). Serving tray. Silver plate, foliated borders, Renaissance revival. (Accession no. H-15. Viewed 10 April 2017. A02107.)

1870-85 - condiment set

Middletown Plate Company. (1870-85). Condiment set. (Accession no. JAGA 1280. Viewed 10 April 2017. A02144.)

c. 1870-87 - vase in silver-plated holder

Boston and Sandwich Glass Company and Middletown Plate Co. (1870-87). Vase, in silver-plated holder. Glass, silver plate. (Cat. no. 2014.1.130a-b. Viewed 3 July 2018. G02170).

1870-90 - flagon and two chalices

Middletown Plate Company. (1870-90). Flagon and two chalices. Silver. (Object nos. H 35294-96. Viewed 30 June 2018. A03024-26).

1870-1900 - picture frame

Middletown Plate Company. (1870-1900). Picture frame (with depicted flowers and scrolls). Silver plate. (Accession no. N-136. Viewed 10 April 2017. A02123.)

1873-85 - water set

Middletown Plate Company. (1873-85). Water set (pitcher, stand, waste bowl, goblet). Silver plate. (Accession no. S.HS.2000.60.1. Viewed 11 June 2017. A02734.)

1875 - Barge of Venus centerpiece

Middletown Plate Company. (1875). Barge of Venus centerpiece. (See illustration at top of page with design exhibited in 1876 Philadelphia Centennial exposition.) (Accession no. 314472. Viewed 24 September 2020. J00770).

c. 1875 - spoon holder

Middletown Plate Co. (c. 1875). Spoon holder. (Accession no. 1992.0071. Viewed 17 October 2020. J00883).

1875-95 - flower vase

Middletown Plate Co. (1875-95). Flower vase. (Accession no. 1953.038. Updated 13 September 2020. E01371; J00542).

c. 1876 - fruit bowl

Middletown Plate Company. (c. 1876). Fruit bowl (with depicted cherub, shell boat, two swans). (Accession no. JAGA 619. Viewed 10 April 2017. A02122.)

c. 1877 - tea and coffee service

Middletown Plate Company / Meriden Britannia. (c. 1877). Five-piece tea and coffee service. (Accession nos. 1983.297, 1985.592. Viewed 2 July 2017. AAA00570-76)

1870s - castor set

Middletown Plate Company. (1870s). Castor set (six bottles and silver base). (Identifier: 123847. Viewed 13 May 2020. J00363).


1880s

c. 1880 - food service item or vase

Middletown Plate Company. (c. 1880). Food service item or vase. (Accession no. JAGA 1293. Viewed 10 April 2017. A02145.)

c. 1880 - collapsible cup and case

Middletown Plate Company. (c. 1880). Collapsible cup and case. (Accession no. 1996.71.0a-c. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B09.)

  • Offline - Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford.

1880 - tapered vase and mount

Middletown Plate Company. (1880). Tapered vase and mount. Silver plate, glass. (Accession no. G2012.40.203 A-B. Viewed 17 August 2018. L00565-07).

  • Offline - Mobile Museum of Art, Alabama.

1880-98 - teapot

Middletown Plate Company. (1880-98). Teapot. (Accession no. 2003.174.0.1. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B10.)

  • Offline - Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford.

1880-98 - creamer

Middletown Plate Company. (1880-98). Creamer. (Accession no. 2003.174.0.2. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B11.)

  • Offline - Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford.

1880-98 - lidded sugar bowl

Middletown Plate Company. (1880-98). Lidded sugar bowl. (Accession no. 2003.174.0.3a,b. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B12.)

  • Offline - Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford.

c. 1884 - cake basket

Middletown Plate Co. (c. 1884). Cake basket. (Accession no. 1994.0145. Viewed 9 February 2021. J01085).

c. 1884 - syrup pitcher

Middletown Plate Company. (c. 1884). Syrup pitcher. (Accession no. 1974.115.0. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B05.)

  • Offline - Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford.

c. 1885 - fruit dish

Middletown Plate Company. (c. 1885). Fruit dish. (Accession no. 1994.184.0. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B08.)

  • Offline - Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford.

c. 1885 - spoon holder

Middletown Plate Company. (c. 1885). Spoon holder. Silver plate. (Accession no. 208141. Viewed 30 December 2016. A01374.)

1886-90 - cake basket

Middletown Plate Company. (1886-90). Cake basket. (Identifier: Fg 120. Viewed 16 May 2020. J00411).

c. 1888 - basket

Middletown Plate Company. (c. 1888). Basket. Silver or silver plate. (Cat. ID no. 78.7.2. Viewed 25 July 2018. C00136).



Click the following link to see designs and documentation for other historical silver companies from the Meriden area, and those that were connected to the International Silver Company; go to the historical Meriden design overview page and scroll down to section D: "ISC, predecessors & divisions" and E: "Other featured companies".



1890s

1890 - coffee pot

Superior Silver Company (presumably Middletown Plate Co. division). (1890). Coffee pot. (Accession no. 1953.035. Viewed 2 September 2020. J00547).

c. 1890 - relish dish and tongs

Middletown Plate Co. (c. 1890). Relish dish and tongs. Silver, glass. (ID no. whit009. Viewed 10 October 2017. G01251.)

1890-1910 - tureen

Middletown Plate Company. (1890-1910). Tureen. Silver plate. (Cat. no. P81.236. Viewed 26 August 2018. J00155-57).

1892? - coffee urn

Middletown Plate Company. (1892?). Coffee urn. Silver plate. (Cat. no. 1993.138.0002. Viewed 18 July 2018. G02932-33).

1894 - commemorative tray

Middletown Plate Company. (1894). Commemorative tray. Silver or silver plate. (Cat. ID no. 2016.75.1. Viewed 25 July 2018. C00135).

c. 1895 - three candlestick holders

Middletown Plate Company. (undated). (c. 1895). Three candlestick holders. [Accession no. 2016.2.116.1(-.3). Viewed 17 August 2018. L00563-19(-21); L00564].

  • Offline - Clayton mansion, The Frick Pittsburgh, PA.

1895-98 - teapot

Middletown Plate Company. (1895-98). Teapot. Silver plate. (Accession no. 1974.326. Viewed 25 August 2017. G00039.)

1898-1902 - napkin ring

Middletown Plate Company. (1898-1902). Napkin ring. (Identifer: 149507. Viewed 8 May 2020. J00315).



Middletown Plate Company became part of the International Silver Company in 1899. After this date, it is assumed that any design patents utilized by the Middletown Plate Company division or brand were assigned to the International Silver Company. (See the ISC historical documentation page).



1899 - crumb tray

Middletown Plate Company. (1899). Crumb tray. (Identifier: V 6249.1. Viewed 8 May 2020. J00314).

c. 1899-1945 - ice bucket holder

Middletown Plate Company / ( ISC). (c. 1899-1945). Ice bucket holder. Silver plate. (Accession no. 124063. Viewed 30 December 2016. A01405.)


1900s

c. 1900 - teapot

Middletown Plate Company / (possibly ISC). (c. 1900). Teapot. Silver plate. (Accession no. 1977.0918. Viewed 30 December 2016. A01404.)

c. 1900-40 - decorative bowl

Possibly Superior Silver Co. / Middletown Plate Co. or Wilcox Silver Plate Co. / (ISC) (see introduction above.) (c. 1900-40). Decorative bowl. (Cat. no. UB-01350. Viewed 14 July 2018. G02727).

1904 - bride’s basket

Middletown Plate Company / ISC. (1904). Bride’s basket. Silver or silver plate. (Object ID no. H.1215.23. Viewed 25 July 2018. C00137).

c. 1906 - two candlestick holders

Superior Silver Company (div. of Middletown Plate Co.) / ISC. (c. 1906). Two candelstick holders. (Object no. INV.247a.1-2. Viewed 9 April 2017. A02054-55.)


1910s

c. 1915 - covered serving dish

Middletown Plate Company / (ISC). (c. 1915). Covered serving dish. Silver plate. (Cat. no. 7202. Viewed 17 July 2018. G02886).


n. d.

n. d. - bride’s basket

Middletown Plate Co. (undated). Bride’s basket (with cranberry-colored glass). (Accesson no. 1994.0145. Viewed 27 December 2020. J01036).

n. d. - nut bowl

Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Nut bowl. Presumably silver plate. Height: 12". (Viewed 5 July 2018. G02519-20.)

  • Offline - Middletown Historical Society, Middletown, CT (see photo below).

See photo

middletown plate company nut dish


n. d. - coffee pot

Middletown Plate Co. (undated). Coffee pot. (Accession no. 1999.592.1-2. Viewed 2 September 2020. J00545).

n. d. - card tray

Middletown Plate Co. (undated). Card tray. (Accession no. 1999.574. Viewed 2 September 2020. J00544).

n. d. - basket

Middletown Plate Co. (undated). Basket. (Accession no. n.2001.987. Viewed 2 September 2020. J00546).

n. d. - fruit dish and stand

Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Fruit dish and stand. Silver plate, glass. (Cat. no. X1956.146.1a-b. Viewed 11 July 2018. G02537-38).

n. d. - cruet stand

Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Cruet stand. Silver plate, glass. (Cat. no. 2011.032.0007.A. Viewed 14 July 2018. G02715-16).

n. d. - candlestick

Middletown Plate Co. (undated). Candlestick. (Object no. 2005.171.8. Updated 3 December 2021. AAA00591-B13; J01477).

n. d. - shaker

Middletown Plate Co. (undated). Shaker. (Cat. no. H72.17.1168. Viewed 1 September 2020. J00536).

n. d. - teapot

Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Teapot. (Identifier: 114164. Viewed 15 May 2020. J00410).

n. d. - tray

Presumably Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Tray. (object ID no. 79.158.81. Viewed 25 July 2018. C00139).

n. d. - possibly sugar tongs

Middletown Plate Co. (undated). Possibly sugar tongs. (Accession no. 1999.565.2. Viewed 2 September 2020. J00543).

n. d. - syrup pitcher

Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Syrup pitcher. Silver plate. (Accession no. D1981.28.168. Viewed 13 August 2016. AAA00053-073.)

  • Offline - Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC.

n. d. - tray

Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Tray (rectangular-shaped). Silver. (Accession no. D1981.28.207. Viewed 13 August 2016. AAA00053-084.)

  • Offline - Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC.

n. d. - coffee pot

Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Coffee pot (lion mask on legs). Silver. (Accession no. D1981.28.222. Viewed 13 August 2016. AAA00053-088.)

  • Offline - Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC.

n. d. - sugar, creamer, spooner

Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Sugar, creamer, spooner. Silver. (Accession nos. D1981.28.266.1-3. Viewed 13 August 2016. AAA00053-102.)

  • Offline - Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC.

n. d. - cut plug jar

Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Cut plug jar. Hard white metal. (Accession nos. D1981.28.356A-B. Viewed 13 August 2016. AAA00053-140.)

  • Offline - Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC.

n. d. - well and tree platter

Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Well and tree platter. Silver. (Accession no. D1981.28.420. Viewed 13 August 2016. AAA00053-157.)

  • Offline - Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC.

n. d. - covered sugar and creamer

Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Covered sugar and creamer (with floral etched designs). Silver. (Accession no. D1981.28.182.1-2. Viewed 13 August 2016. AAA00053-076.)

  • Offline - Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC.

n. d. - footed dish

Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Footed dish. Silver. (Accession no. D1981.28.14. Viewed 13 August 2016. AAA00053-064.)

  • Offline - Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC.

n. d. - collar button box

Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Collar button box (with embossed flowers). Silver. (Accession no. D1981.28.322. Viewed 13 August 2016. AAA00053-124.)

  • Offline - Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC.


B. Middletown Plate Company designs at auction


1880s

c. 1882 - trophy

Middletown Plate Co. (c. 1882). Unofficial 1882 Blue-Riband trophy for the S.S. Alaska. (Viewed 2 July 2018. G02109).


1890s

c. 1890 - berry dish

Middletown Plate Company. (c. 1890). Berry dish. (Viewed 31 May 2016. D00175.)

late 19th c. - pitcher and stand

Middletown Plate Company. (late 19th century). Pitcher and stand, decorated with bands of birds, insects and foliage. (Viewed 31 May 2016. D00176.)

late 19th c. - ice water pitcher on tilting stand

Middletown Plate Company. (late 19th century). Victorian ice water pitcher on tilting stand. (Viewed 31 May 2016. D00185.)

c. 1899 - vase stand

Middletown Plate Company. (late 19th / early 20th century). Vase stand. (Viewed 31 May 2016. D00186.)


1900s

20th c. - stand

Middletown Plate Company. (20th century). Stand. Silver plate. (Viewed 31 May 2016. D00177.)


n. d.

n. d. - tazza

Middletown Plate Co. (undated). Tazza. Silver plate. (Viewed 2 July 2018. G02107).

n. d. - partial tea set

Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Partial tea set. (Viewed 31 May 2016. D00187.)

n. d. - seven-piece tea and coffee set

Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Victorian, seven-piece tea and coffee set. Silver plate. (Viewed 31 May 2016. D00188.)

n. d. - five-piece tea set

Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Aesthetic style five-piece tea set. Electroplated. (Viewed 31 May 2016. D00189.)

n. d. - three piece tea set

Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Three piece tea set (pot, sugar bowl with cover and cream pitcher). (Viewed 5 January 2017. A01440.)

n. d. - nut bowl

Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Nut bowl. Silver plate. (Viewed 2 July 2018. G02113).


C. Middletown Plate Company designs in exhibitions


1870s

1876 - Centennial International Exhibition, Philadelphia

10 May - 10 November 1876. Centennial International Exhibition, Philadelphia.

> Middletown Plate Co. exhibited an epergne, an ornamental centerpiece, a punch bowl and goblets, a swing-pitcher, and a variety of unspecified silver-plate and glassware. (See photo of epergne and pavilion in documentation listings linked below.)


1880s

1880-81 - Melbourne International Exhibition, Australia

1 October 1880 - 30 April 1881. Melbourne International Exhibition, Australia.

See: (1880). Melbourne International Exhibition 1880; The official catalogue of the exhibits, with introductory notes of the countries exhibiting, v. II, second edition to the first issue. [American exhibits, including Middletown Plate Co. (Class 24.—Goldsmiths’ and Silversmiths’ Work, p. 235).] (Viewed 27 June 2016. A00997-1000.)


1890s

1894 - Middletown Plate Co. in Y.M.C.A. fair

c. 15 - 26 January 1894. Y.M.C.A. fair, Middletown, CT.

> Exhibited unspecified Middletown Plate Co. designs.



See other exhibitions noted as including unspecified International Silver Company designs (1899-present). At this developing research point, Middletown Plate Co. designs could have been exhibited in some of these exhibitions.



1990s

1994-95 - Art Museum of Southeast Texas, Beaumont

5 February 1994 - 13 March 1995. Back in style: Selections from the McFaddin-Ward House Reserve Collection at Art Museum of Southeast Texas, Beaumont.

> Exhibited design: Middletown Plate Company / replated by Meriden Britannia Co. (c. 1877). Tea and coffee service. Silver plate. (Listed above.)

1998-99 - Middletown Plate Co. in Middletown exhibition

c. 1998 - 1 June 1999. Rum, rubber & rattraps; A history of local enterprise at the Middlesex County Historical Society, Middletown, CT.

> Exhibited unspecified coffee pot by the Middletown Plate Company. (Private lender.)



See our Design Meriden compilation listing over 1000 exhibitions since 1851, featuring historical design associated with the Meriden area.



Footnote:
[1] The Middletown Plate Company, Middletown, CT, was acquired by the International Silver Company in 1899. At this juncture, it is not known to Design Meriden if this company became an ISC division. [See "A Guide to the International Silver Company Records, 1853-1921". University of Connecticut university libraries website.] Viewed 16 May 2016. [A00660]



DESIGN MERIDEN:
On Middletown Plate - 1: designs in collections, etc. | 2: design catalogues, etc.