Rockwell Silver Company designs, exhibitions, design catalogues and historical information

Marks, advertisements & more concerning the design legacy.

ADC staff
artdesigncafé - design | Design Meriden | 18 June 2016 | Updated 22 December 2021
Rockwell Silver Co. advertisement


Above, Rockwell Silver Co. advertisement in The Meriden Daily Journal (17 April 1936). For more information, see the listings below.


The Rockwell Silver Company had its inception in 1907, when it was organized by Lucien Rockwell and E. F. Skinner, who became president... In 1913 the business was reorganized... [w]hile the original employes [sic] numbered six and the floor space of the plant was [1500 sq. ft.], today the business has grown until there are now [24 employees] and the plant has been increased to include [11,250 sq. ft.] of floor space.

— Everett G. Hill in A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, v. II, (1918), p. 298. (See entry below.)



A. Rockwell Silver Company designs in collections (by year)


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


1900s

after 1907 - pair of ruby glass decanters

Rockwell Silver Company. (after 1907). Pair of ruby glass decanters. (cat. no. 2014.00.311-12. Viewed 6 July 2018. G02339-40).

  • Photos - Phillips Museum of Art, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA: decanter 1; decanter 2.


1910s

c. 1915 - loving cup

Rockwell Silver Company. (c. 1915). Loving cup. Sterling silver. (Accession no. G2012.40.516. Viewed 23 August 2018. J00058-10).

  • Offline - Mobile Museum of Art, Alabama.


1920s

1920 - Holmes-designed coffee service

Frank Graham Holmes for Rockwell Silver Company / Lenox China. (1920). Coffee service (coffee pot, sugar bowl, cream pitcher, tray, calling card). (Accession nos. 81.181A-H. (Given as a gift from President and Mrs Woodrow Wilson to Mr and Mrs Lane Kauffmann.) (Updated 23 January 2017. AAA00426-36; AAA00557-561.)

c. 1922-37 - cologne bottle with silver overlay

Tiffin Glass Company and Rockwell Silver Company. (c. 1922-37). Cologne bottle with silver overlay. (Cat. no. 2017.14.74a-b. Viewed 3 July 2018. G02207-08).

c. 1925-30 - cocktail shaker

Rockwell Silver Company. (c. 1925-30). Cocktail shaker. Opaque and transparent black non-lead glass, free-blown and tooled with sterling silver overlay. (Accession no. 89.25.1. Viewed 14 November 2016. AAA00425-04; AAA00430.)

  • Offline - New Orleans Museum of Art.

c. 1925-30 - six cocktail glasses

Rockwell Silver Company. (c. 1925-30). Six cocktail glasses. Opaque and transparent black and red non-lead glass, free-blown and tooled with sterling silver overlay. (Accession no. 89.25.2. Viewed 14 November 2016. AAA00425-04; AAA00430.)

  • Offline - New Orleans Museum of Art.

1925-35 - vase with flowers

Rockwell Silver Company. (1925-35). Vase with flowers. (Accession no. 84.4.188. Viewed 28 March 2016. A00193.)

1925-35 - bowl with two candlestick holders

Rockwell Silver Company. (1925-35). Bowl with two candlestick holders. Green non-lead glass; pressed, silver decorated. (Accession no. 84.4.191. Viewed 28 March 2016. B00051.)

1925-35 - three-piece console set with gazelle

Rockwell Silver Company / Pairpoint Manufacturing Company / Duncan & Miller Glass Company. (1925-35). Three-piece console set with gazelle. Black non-lead glass and silver decorated electrolytically. (Accession no. 84.4.192. Viewed 28 March 2016. B00052.)

c. 1925-35 - plate

Rockwell Silver Company / Pairpoint Manufacturing Co. (c. 1925-35). Plate. Glass with silver overlay. (Accession no. 1999.47. Viewed 31 March 2016. A00223.)

1925-35 - serving bowl

Rockwell Silver Company. (1925-35). Serving bowl. Blown glass with silver overlay. (Accession no. 1985.377.1. Viewed 26 August 2018. J00138).

1925-1938 - vase with gazelle

Rockwell Silver Company / Pairpoint Manufacturing Co. (1925-1938). Vase with gazelle. Silver, glass. (Accession no. 84.4.190. Viewed 27 March 2016. A00177.)

1925-1949 - vase

Rockwell Silver Company / Pairpoint Manufacturing Co. (1925-1949). Vase. Black non-lead glass; blown, silver decorated electrolytically. (Accession no. 84.4.187. Viewed 28 March 2016. A00190.)

c. 1926-34 - perfume bottle with silver overlay

Tiffon Glass Company & Rockwell Silver Company. (c. 1926-34). Perfume bottle with silver overlay. (Cat. no. 2016.57.25a-b. Viewed 3 July 2018. G02155-56).



Click the following link to see designs and documentation for other historical companies from the Meriden area on the historical Meriden design overview page. Scroll down to section D: "ISC, predecessors & divisions" and E: "Other featured companies".


1930s

c. 1930 - cup and saucer

Rockwell Silver Company / Lenox China. [c. 1930 (shape introduced c. 1908)]. "Moderne" demitasse cup and saucer. Porcelain with silver overlay. (Accession no. 1997.8.2.A-B. Viewed 31 March 2016. A00222.)

c. 1930 - coffeepot

Rockwell Silver Company / Lenox China. [c. 1930 (shape introduced 1919)]. "Moderne" coffeepot. Porcelain with silver overlay. (Accession no. 1997.8.1.A-B. Viewed 31 March 2016. A00221.)

c. 1930 - pair of candlestick holders

Rockwell Silver Company. (c. 1930). Pair of candlestick holders. Blown glass with silver overlay. (Accession no. 1985.377.2-.3. Viewed 26 August 2018. J00139).

c. 1930 - plate

Rockwell Silver Company. (c. 1930). Plate. Glass, silver. (Accession no. 1985.35. Viewed 7 April 2016. B00112-06.)

  • Offline - Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford.

1935-37 - vase

Rockwell Silver Company. (1935-37). Vase. Black non-lead glass; mold-blown. (Accession no. 79.4.280. Viewed 28 March 2016. B00053.)

1935-49 - vase

Rockwell Silver Company. (1935-49). Vase. Black non-lead glass; blown, silver decorated electrolytically. (Accession no. 84.4.186. Viewed 28 March 2016. A00191.)

c. 1935-50 - candlestick holder

Indiana Glass Company & Rockwell Silver Company. (c. 1935-50). Candlestick holder, decoration by Rockwell Silver Company. (Cat. no. 2007.8.45a. Viewed 3 July 2018. G02159-60).

c. 1935-50 - candlestick holder

Indiana Glass Company & Rockwell Silver Company. (c. 1935-50). Candlestick holder, decoration by Rockwell Silver Company. (Cat. no. 2007.8.45b. Viewed 3 July 2018. G02156-57).

c. 1935-50 - candlestick

Indiana Glass Company with decoration probably by Rockwell Silver Company. (c. 1935-50). Candlestick. (Cat. no. 2010.7.51. Viewed 3 July 2018. G02204).

c. 1930s - vase

Rockwell Silver Company. (c. 1930s). Vase. Blue, poppy silver deposit decal - flux rhodium-coated. (Accession no. 92.002.009. Viewed 8 June 2016. A00755-10.)

  • Offline - Museum of American Glass, Millville, NJ.


1960s

c. 1960s - tray with silver overlay

Rockwell Silver Company. (c. 1960s). Tray with silver overlay, no. 108. (Cat. no. 2016.1.500. Viewed 3 July 2018. G02205-06).


1970s

c. 1970s - candy dish

Rockwell Silver Company. (c. 1970s). Candy dish. Glass, sterling silver. (Cat. no. 2015.1.477a-b. Viewed 3 July 2018. G02158-59).


n. d.

n. d. - decorative bowl with silver overlay

Rockwell Silver Company. (undated). Decorative bowl with silver overlay. (Cat. no. 2015.133.2. Viewed 3 July 2018. G02209-11).

n. d. - decorative bowl

Rockwell Silver Company. (undated). Decorative bowl. (Cat. no. 05.2.108. Viewed 3 July 2018. G02161).


B. Rockwell Silver Company designs in exhibitions


1990s

1990 - Milwaukee and Newark exhibitions

2 venues: 1990 - c. 1991. Sumptuous Surrounds: Silver Overlay on Ceramic and Glass, The Collection of Warren Gilson at the Milwaukee Art Museum (16 February - 27 May 1990) and Newark Museum, New Jersey (dates unknown).

> Rockwell Silver Company. (c. 1925). Stemmed dish (the silver work; body: Fry); (c. 1920). Coffee pot (the silver work; body: Lenox). (All private lender, Gilson.)

  • For documentation, see design catalogue and historical information section below.


2000s

2005-07 - Dallas Museum of Art travelling exhibition

5 venues: 2005 - 2007. Modernism in American Silver: 20th-Century Design. (Viewed 21 March 2016. A00140.)

> Exhibition venues: Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC; Nevada Museum of Art, Reno; Dallas Museum of Art; The Wolfsonian, Miami Beach, FL; The Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis, TN.


2010s

2011 - Corning Museum of Glass exhibition

19 May - 31 December 2011. Mt. Washington and Pairpoint: American Glass from the Gilded Age to the Roaring Twenties at Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York.

> Exhibited, by Rockwell Silver Company (all silver deposit on Pairpoint Manufacturing Co. blanks), Bowl with gazelle, and two candlesticks (1925-35); Vase with gazelle (1925-38); and Vase with flowers (c. 1925-35).

  • See design catalogues and historical information section below.



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


C. Rockwell Silver Company design catalogues and historical information


Material status: = online
= link to more info
= completely offline


1900s

Various newspapers, magazines and other sources

(c. 1907-). Various newspapers, magazines and other sources - search engines. (Updated 26 April 2020. C01298).

c. 1907-1972 - unspecified documentation

Presumably Rockwell Silver Co. (c. 1907-1972). Documentation in "Collection of papers about American glass decorating companies" (1881-1972). J. S. Brothers. (Viewed 21 June 2020. L01436).

1909 - news mention

(23 September 1909). New plants now work overtime; ... Rockwell Silver Co. have big boom; rapidly growing industries are receiving rush of fall orders. Meriden Weekly Republican, p. 2. (Viewed 25 October 2020. F01598).


1910s

1910 - news mention

(1 February 1910). [News mention of Rockwell Silver Company.] Norwich Bulletin (Norwich, CT), p. 7, col. 4. (Viewed 22 September 2018. B00377).

"If the Rockwell Silver company, a promising new local concern, is not granted a permit to build an addition to its factory on Maple street, the firm will consider three offers from other cities to move its plant from Meriden." (Excerpt from above.)


1918 - historical information

Hill, Everett G. (1918). Wells Rockwell biography, Rockwell Silver Company treasurer and general manager, (p. 298). [Includes basic information about the company.] In A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, v. II. 907 pp. New York; Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company. (See excerpt at top of webpage. Viewed 20 November 2016. A00802-03.)

1918 - company listing

(1918). Manufacturers and their products... Meriden... "Rockwell Silver Co. ... Cut glass and silver goods ... " In State of Connecticut Public Document No. 33; Sixth Biennial Report of the Factory Inspection Department to the Governor for the Two Years ending September 30, 1918, (p. 65). State of Connecticut: Hartford. (Viewed 1 October 2020. E01622-27).

1919 - classified advertisement

Rockwell Silver Co. (3 February 1919). Classified advertisement: "DECORATORS wanted; experienced silver deposit decorators; good pay, steady work. Apply at once to Rockwell Silver Co., Meriden, Conn." New York Times, p. 23, col. 5. (Viewed 7 May 2020. H01423-24).

  • Online - fultonhistory.com. (Search the archive, "New York NY Times 1919 Feb -1-15 Grayscale - 0151", and scroll down for the link.)


1920s

1920 - news mention

(30 May 1920). Lucien Rockwell [President of Rockwell Silver Company] dies. New York Tribune, p. 15, col. 6. (Viewed 19 September 2018. B00342).

1923 - news mention

(15 August 1923). San Francisco [with mention: "... A new travelers for this territory is William B. Sutherland, who represents [among others] Rochwell [sic] Silver Co. ..." Jewelers’ Circular, p. 119, col. 2. (Vewed 22 May 2020. H01644).


1924 advertisements

See the patents


1924 - advertisement

Sunderland & Miller, Inc., Los Angeles, CA. (February-March 1924). Advertisement: "Manufacturers’ Representatives... Sterling and silverplated hollowware, novelties, etc. ... Rockwell Silver Co. ..." [with no illustrations]. Jewelers’ Circular. (Viewed 29 May 2020. H01773-76).

1924 - advertisement

Rockwell Silver Company. (31 May 1924). Advertisement: "Ask your jeweler for gifts of character; Silver deposited glass and china; The Rockwell Silver Company, Meriden, Conn." [with two abstract illustrations]. Christian Science Monitor, p. 6, col. 1. (Viewed 23 April 2020. C01211).

  • Online - fultonhistory.com. (Search the archive, "Boston MA Christian Science Monitor 1924 Mar-Jun - 0286", and scroll down for the link.)

1924 - two advertisements

Rockwell Silver Company. (7 & 14 June 1924). Advertisements: "Ask your jeweler for gifts of character; Silver deposited glass and china; The Rockwell Silver Company, Meriden, Conn." [with two abstract illustrations]. Christian Science Monitor. (Viewed 23 April 2020. C01212-13).

  • Online - fultonhistory.com.
  • 7 June 1924, p. 6, col. 5. (Search the archive, "Boston MA Christian Science Monitor 1924 Mar-Jun - 0442", and scroll down for the link.)
  • 14 June 1924, p. 2, col. 3. (Search the archive, "Boston MA Christian Science Monitor 1924 Mar-Jun - 0573", and scroll down for the link.)


1930s

1933 - patent - process of applying color to metalized articles

Edward H. Schiffer, assignor to Rockwell Silver Company. (9 May 1933; filed 9 May 1931). Patent no. 1,908,061; serial no. 536,148: Process of applying color to metalized articles. (Viewed 11 March 2018. AAA01077.)

1936 - spotlighted article

(17 April 1936). Rockwell Silver Company [company profile]. [with portrait of Wells Rockwell]. The Meriden Daily Journal [Fiftieth Anniversary issue (1886-1936)], unknown page number. (Viewed 13 July 2021. F01906).

"The reputation for making the finest silver deposit ware offered to the trade, had belonged to the Rockwell Silver company for many years. The concern is small in the number of people employed, and in the size of its factory at 35 Maple street, but it enjoys a coast to coast fame for quality workmanship and design... " (Excerpt from above.)



1936 - other articles

See the patents


1936 - article mention

(17 April 1936). The year each business was established [with mention: "Rockwell Silver Co. Est. 1905"]. The Meriden Daily Journal [Fiftieth Anniversary issue (1886-1936)], unknown page number. (Viewed 13 July 2021. F01935).

1936 - article mention

(17 April 1936). Chronological list of business firms [with mention: "1905— Rockwell Silver Co. ... "]. The Meriden Daily Journal [Fiftieth Anniversary issue (1886-1936)], unknown page number. (Viewed 13 July 2021. F01934).



1936 - advertisement

Rockwell Silver Co. (17 April 1936). "... Manufacturers of Silver Deposits on Glass and China; 85 Maple St.; Est. 1905; Retail Sales Department..." [with no illustrations]. The Meriden Daily Journal [Fiftieth Anniversary issue (1886-1936)], unknown page number. (Viewed 25 November 2020. F01907).


1940s

1947 - advertisement

H. W. Rathbun, Jeweler, presumably Ticonderoga, NY. (13 March 1947). Advertisement: "... Rockwell Silver encrusted crystal... " Ticonderoga Sentinel (Ticonderoga, New York), p. 5, cols. 3-4. (Viewed 14 October 2018. B01048).

1947 - advertisement

Kay Jewelry Store, presumably, Crawley, LA. (20 August 1947). Advertisement: "... We invite your inspection of one of our finest lines of fabulous table-ware... Made by the Rockwell Silver Company, it is finest crystal with lacy patterns of silver deposit. In twenty individual pieces... " [with no product illustrations]. Crawley Daily Signal (Crawley, Louisiana), p. 3, cols. 1-3. (Viewed 22 December 2021. R00304).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1947-1989 - papers

Rockwell Silver Company. [Collection of papers], 1947-1989. 1 folder with 11 items. Meriden, CT. (Updated 17 April 2017. A00655.)

1949 - advertisement

Roedel’s Jewelers, Utica, NY. (27 July 1949). Advertisement: "Dependable gifts from a dependable jeweler... Rockwell silver deposit cheese and cracker set... " [with no illustrations]. Utica Daily Press (Utica, NY), p. 12, cols. 7-8. (Viewed 22 June 2020. L01461-62).


1950s

1956 - book mention

Wendover, Sanford H. (1956). Mention of Rockwell Silver Co. as establishment after 1906 in Meriden. In 150 years of Meriden, (pp. 170-71). Meriden: Meriden Sesquicentennial Committee. (Viewed 29 September 2020. A00789-90; E01606).


1960s

1960 - advertisement

Hennessy’s, presumably Butte, MT. (24 November 1960). Advertisement: "... lovely gifts from our china department! Sterling on crystal by Silver City [Glass Co.] and Rockwell Silver Co. Graceful floral patterns in non-tarnish silver... vases... bon-bon dishes... covered candy dishes... handled plate... " [with possibly related product illustrations]. Montana Standard-Post (Butte-Anaconda, Montana), p. 4, col. 4. (Viewed 7 February 2021. R00302).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1966 - encyclopedia entry

Rainwater, Dorothy T. (1966). "Rockwell Silver Co." [with mark; "Founded in 1907. Listed in J C-K in 1915-1965. Manufacturers (?) of sterling silverware, china, glassware and silver depositware."], (p. 144). In American silver manufacturers: Their marks, trademarks and history. Everybodys Press: Hanover, PA. (Viewed 5 August 2020. L01882-83; L01914).


1970s

1971 - design catalogue

Rockwell Silver Company. (1971). [Catalogue]. 21 pp. Meriden, CT. ("Not a manufacturer, but decorator of glass.") (Updated 17 April 2017. A00654.)

c. 1973? - design brochure reprint

Rockwell Silver Company. (c. 1973?). [Brochure-catalogue]. 6 pp. Reprinted in 1998-2002?; Meridian, ID; M. Birkinbine. (Updated 17 April 2017. A00655.)

1978/79 - article

Ziegler, Roserita. (November 1978 / January 1979). Hand-decorated luster colors by Rockwell Silver Company, Meriden, Connecticut [regarding glassware decorated in the 1930s]. Duncan Glass Journal, v. 4, no. 2, pp. 4-5. (Viewed 21 June 2020. L01439).

1979 - advertisement

Silver City Glass / Rockwell Silver Factory Store & Gift Shop, Meriden. (15 August 1979). Advertisement: "Sterling & Gold on Crystal... Giftware Items... 122 Charles St. ..." [no illustrations]. Hartford Courant, p. 68. (Viewed 28 December 2018. D00363).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1979 - article

Ziegler, Roserita. (February 1979). Silver on glass [about the Rockwell Silver Company]. Glass Review, x. 9., no. 2, pp. 20-1. (Updated 21 June 2020. H01261; L01437).


1980s

1980 - advertisement

Silver City Glass / Rockwell Silver Gift Shop, Meriden. (27 April 1980). Advertisement: "Sterling & Gold on Crystal... Giftware Items... 122 Charles St. ..." [no illustrations]. Hartford Courant, p. 2E. (Viewed 27 December 2018. D00364).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1982 - advertisement

Silver City Glass / [presumably] Rockwell [Silver Co.] Factory Store / Gift Shop, 122 Charles St., Meriden. (29 April 1982). Advertisement: "... Sterling & Gold on Crystal Barware... Glass Tableware... " [with no illustrations]. Hartford Courant, p. C10. (Viewed 20 October 2018. D00366).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1983 - advertisement

Silver City Glass / [presumably] Rockwell [Silver Co.] Factory Store / Gift Shop. (24 April 1983). Advertisement: "... Sterling on Gold and Crystal Barware... Glass Tableware... " [with no illustrations]. Hartford Courant, p. E4. (Viewed 20 October 2018. D00367).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.


1990s

1990 - exhibition catalogue - Rockwell Silver Co. in Milwaukee and Newark exhibitions

(c. 1990). Sumptuous Surrounds: Silver Overlay on Ceramic and Glass, The Collection of Warren Gilson exhibition catalogue. 60 pp. [Venues: Milwaukee Art Museum, WI (16 February - 27 May 1990); Newark Museum, NJ (dates unknown.)] [For exhibited designs by Rockwell Silver Co., see exhibition section above.] (Updated 13 June 2017. A01367; A01486; AAA00550; G00001. DM.)


2000s

2004 - secondary source

Rainwater, Dorothy T.; Fuller, Martin; Fuller, Collette. (2004). "Rockwell Silver Company" [with marks], Silver City Glass Co., "Decorex Industries, Inc.", (pp. 57, 201). Encyclopedia of American silver manufacturers, (revised and expanded 5th ed.). Schiffer Publishing: Atglen, PA. (Viewed 17 August 2017. A02876; A02913; A02913b; A02913c.)

"Organized in 1905... Prior to his founding of Rockwell Silver, Lucien Rockwell had been a salesman for Chapman Manufacturing Co... They merged with Silver City Glass Co. in 1978 to form Decorex Industries, Inc." (Excerpt from above.)


2005-07 - Rockwell Silver Co. in exhibition

Stern, Jewel. (2005). Modernism in American silver. [Includes Barbour Silver Company designs.] 392 pp. Dallas Museum of Art and Yale University Press. (Book accompanied exhibition at 5 American venues.) (Updated 17 April 2017. DM.)

> Exhibition venues: Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC; Nevada Museum of Art, Reno; Dallas Museum of Art; The Wolfsonian, Miami Beach, FL; The Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis, TN.

2007 - research notes / article

Wyrick, Barbara. (August 2007). Silver overlay [with mention of Rockwell Silver Company]. Cambridge Crystal Ball, no, 409, pp. 10-5. (Updated 21 June 2020. H01262; L01438).


2010s

2011 - documentation related to Corning Museum of Glass exhibition including five Rockwell Silver Co. designs

(c. 2011). Various pieces of documentation regarding exhibition Mt. Washington and Pairpoint: American Glass from the Gilded Age to the Roaring Twenties at the Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York (19 May - 31 December 2011). (Updated 27 June 2019. A00194; A02739; E00892-93.)


n. d.

n. d. - ephemera and other primary sources

Rockwell Silver Company; J. Stanley Brothers. (undated). Rockwell Silver Company ephemera and other primary sources. (Viewed 4 September 2017. G00172.)



Click the following link to see designs and documentation for other historical companies from the Meriden area on the historical Meriden design overview page. Scroll down to section D: "ISC, predecessors & divisions" and E: "Other featured companies".