Middletown Plate Company designs in collections, at auction and in exhibitions
artdesigncafé - design | Design Meriden | 31 May 2016 | Updated 3 December 2021
LINK: Middletown Plate Co. design catalogues and historical information
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.
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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 dishMiddletown Plate Company. (c. 1860). Candy dish. (Accession no. N-46. Viewed 10 April 2017. A02147.)
1864-80 - card receiverMiddletown Plate Company. (1864-80). Card receiver. Quadruple silver plate. (Accession no. 1988-22-2. Viewed 18 October 2018. J00217). 1864-97 - compoteMiddletown Plate Company. (1864-97). Compote. Silver or silver plate. (Cat. no. 88.32.30. Viewed 18 July 2018. G02930-31). 1864-98 - dish on standMiddletown Plate Company. (1864-98). Dish on stand. (Object ID no. H.6200.684. Viewed 25 July 2018. C00138).
1864-98 - lidded butter dishMiddletown Plate Company. (1864-98). Lidded butter dish. (Accession no. 1949.13.6a-c. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B02.)
1864-98 - card trayMiddletown Plate Company. (1864-98). Card tray. (Accession no. 1972.12.0a,b. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B03.)
1864-98 - compoteMiddletown Plate Company. (1864-98). Compote. (Accession no. 1979.34.4. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B06.)
1864-98 - cup and saucerMiddletown Plate Company. (1864-98). Cup and saucer. (Accession no. 1981.115.6a,b. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B07.)
1864-98 - cake basketMiddletown 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.)
after 1865 - syrup pitcherMiddletown Plate Company. (after 1865). Syrup pitcher. Silver plate. Accession no. 258258. (Viewed 30 December 2016. A01406.) c. 1866 - mustache cupMiddletown Plate Company. (c. 1866). Mustache cup. Silver plate. (Accession no. D1981.28.268A. Viewed 14 August 2016. AAA00053-103.)
Click the following link to see the parallel webpage - Middletown Plate Company design catalogues and historical documentation. |
1870s | c. 1870 - tea urnMiddletown Plate Co. (c. 1870). Tea urn. Metal, wood. (Cat. no. 2007.05.01.av. Viewed 3 July 2018. G02212-13). c. 1870 - serving trayMiddletown Plate Company. (c. 1870). Serving tray. Silver plate, foliated borders, Renaissance revival. (Accession no. H-15. Viewed 10 April 2017. A02107.)
1870-85 - condiment setMiddletown Plate Company. (1870-85). Condiment set. (Accession no. JAGA 1280. Viewed 10 April 2017. A02144.)
c. 1870-87 - vase in silver-plated holderBoston 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 chalicesMiddletown Plate Company. (1870-90). Flagon and two chalices. Silver. (Object nos. H 35294-96. Viewed 30 June 2018. A03024-26).
1870-1900 - picture frameMiddletown 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 setMiddletown 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 centerpieceMiddletown 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 holderMiddletown Plate Co. (c. 1875). Spoon holder. (Accession no. 1992.0071. Viewed 17 October 2020. J00883). 1875-95 - flower vaseMiddletown Plate Co. (1875-95). Flower vase. (Accession no. 1953.038. Updated 13 September 2020. E01371; J00542).
c. 1876 - fruit bowlMiddletown 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 serviceMiddletown 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 setMiddletown Plate Company. (1870s). Castor set (six bottles and silver base). (Identifier: 123847. Viewed 13 May 2020. J00363). |
1880s | c. 1880 - food service item or vaseMiddletown Plate Company. (c. 1880). Food service item or vase. (Accession no. JAGA 1293. Viewed 10 April 2017. A02145.)
c. 1880 - collapsible cup and caseMiddletown Plate Company. (c. 1880). Collapsible cup and case. (Accession no. 1996.71.0a-c. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B09.)
1880 - tapered vase and mountMiddletown Plate Company. (1880). Tapered vase and mount. Silver plate, glass. (Accession no. G2012.40.203 A-B. Viewed 17 August 2018. L00565-07).
1880-98 - teapotMiddletown Plate Company. (1880-98). Teapot. (Accession no. 2003.174.0.1. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B10.)
1880-98 - creamerMiddletown Plate Company. (1880-98). Creamer. (Accession no. 2003.174.0.2. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B11.)
1880-98 - lidded sugar bowlMiddletown Plate Company. (1880-98). Lidded sugar bowl. (Accession no. 2003.174.0.3a,b. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B12.)
c. 1884 - cake basketMiddletown Plate Co. (c. 1884). Cake basket. (Accession no. 1994.0145. Viewed 9 February 2021. J01085). c. 1884 - syrup pitcherMiddletown Plate Company. (c. 1884). Syrup pitcher. (Accession no. 1974.115.0. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B05.)
c. 1885 - fruit dishMiddletown Plate Company. (c. 1885). Fruit dish. (Accession no. 1994.184.0. Viewed 15 April 2017. AAA00591-B08.)
c. 1885 - spoon holderMiddletown Plate Company. (c. 1885). Spoon holder. Silver plate. (Accession no. 208141. Viewed 30 December 2016. A01374.) 1886-90 - cake basketMiddletown Plate Company. (1886-90). Cake basket. (Identifier: Fg 120. Viewed 16 May 2020. J00411). c. 1888 - basketMiddletown 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 potSuperior Silver Company (presumably Middletown Plate Co. division). (1890). Coffee pot. (Accession no. 1953.035. Viewed 2 September 2020. J00547).
c. 1890 - relish dish and tongsMiddletown Plate Co. (c. 1890). Relish dish and tongs. Silver, glass. (ID no. whit009. Viewed 10 October 2017. G01251.) 1890-1910 - tureenMiddletown Plate Company. (1890-1910). Tureen. Silver plate. (Cat. no. P81.236. Viewed 26 August 2018. J00155-57). 1892? - coffee urnMiddletown Plate Company. (1892?). Coffee urn. Silver plate. (Cat. no. 1993.138.0002. Viewed 18 July 2018. G02932-33). 1894 - commemorative trayMiddletown Plate Company. (1894). Commemorative tray. Silver or silver plate. (Cat. ID no. 2016.75.1. Viewed 25 July 2018. C00135). c. 1895 - three candlestick holdersMiddletown Plate Company. (undated). (c. 1895). Three candlestick holders. [Accession no. 2016.2.116.1(-.3). Viewed 17 August 2018. L00563-19(-21); L00564].
1895-98 - teapotMiddletown Plate Company. (1895-98). Teapot. Silver plate. (Accession no. 1974.326. Viewed 25 August 2017. G00039.) 1898-1902 - napkin ringMiddletown 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 trayMiddletown Plate Company. (1899). Crumb tray. (Identifier: V 6249.1. Viewed 8 May 2020. J00314). c. 1899-1945 - ice bucket holderMiddletown Plate Company / ( ISC). (c. 1899-1945). Ice bucket holder. Silver plate. (Accession no. 124063. Viewed 30 December 2016. A01405.) |
1900s | c. 1900 - teapotMiddletown Plate Company / (possibly ISC). (c. 1900). Teapot. Silver plate. (Accession no. 1977.0918. Viewed 30 December 2016. A01404.) c. 1900-40 - decorative bowlPossibly 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 basketMiddletown 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 holdersSuperior 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.)
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1910s | c. 1915 - covered serving dishMiddletown Plate Company / (ISC). (c. 1915). Covered serving dish. Silver plate. (Cat. no. 7202. Viewed 17 July 2018. G02886). |
n. d. | n. d. - bride’s basketMiddletown Plate Co. (undated). Bride’s basket (with cranberry-colored glass). (Accesson no. 1994.0145. Viewed 27 December 2020. J01036). n. d. - nut bowlMiddletown Plate Company. (undated). Nut bowl. Presumably silver plate. Height: 12". (Viewed 5 July 2018. G02519-20.)
See photo n. d. - coffee potMiddletown Plate Co. (undated). Coffee pot. (Accession no. 1999.592.1-2. Viewed 2 September 2020. J00545).
n. d. - card trayMiddletown Plate Co. (undated). Card tray. (Accession no. 1999.574. Viewed 2 September 2020. J00544).
n. d. - basketMiddletown Plate Co. (undated). Basket. (Accession no. n.2001.987. Viewed 2 September 2020. J00546).
n. d. - fruit dish and standMiddletown 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 standMiddletown Plate Company. (undated). Cruet stand. Silver plate, glass. (Cat. no. 2011.032.0007.A. Viewed 14 July 2018. G02715-16). n. d. - candlestickMiddletown Plate Co. (undated). Candlestick. (Object no. 2005.171.8. Updated 3 December 2021. AAA00591-B13; J01477). n. d. - shakerMiddletown Plate Co. (undated). Shaker. (Cat. no. H72.17.1168. Viewed 1 September 2020. J00536).
n. d. - teapotMiddletown Plate Company. (undated). Teapot. (Identifier: 114164. Viewed 15 May 2020. J00410). n. d. - trayPresumably Middletown Plate Company. (undated). Tray. (object ID no. 79.158.81. Viewed 25 July 2018. C00139).
n. d. - possibly sugar tongsMiddletown Plate Co. (undated). Possibly sugar tongs. (Accession no. 1999.565.2. Viewed 2 September 2020. J00543).
n. d. - syrup pitcherMiddletown Plate Company. (undated). Syrup pitcher. Silver plate. (Accession no. D1981.28.168. Viewed 13 August 2016. AAA00053-073.)
n. d. - trayMiddletown Plate Company. (undated). Tray (rectangular-shaped). Silver. (Accession no. D1981.28.207. Viewed 13 August 2016. AAA00053-084.)
n. d. - coffee potMiddletown Plate Company. (undated). Coffee pot (lion mask on legs). Silver. (Accession no. D1981.28.222. Viewed 13 August 2016. AAA00053-088.)
n. d. - sugar, creamer, spoonerMiddletown Plate Company. (undated). Sugar, creamer, spooner. Silver. (Accession nos. D1981.28.266.1-3. Viewed 13 August 2016. AAA00053-102.)
n. d. - cut plug jarMiddletown Plate Company. (undated). Cut plug jar. Hard white metal. (Accession nos. D1981.28.356A-B. Viewed 13 August 2016. AAA00053-140.)
n. d. - well and tree platterMiddletown Plate Company. (undated). Well and tree platter. Silver. (Accession no. D1981.28.420. Viewed 13 August 2016. AAA00053-157.)
n. d. - covered sugar and creamerMiddletown 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.)
n. d. - footed dishMiddletown Plate Company. (undated). Footed dish. Silver. (Accession no. D1981.28.14. Viewed 13 August 2016. AAA00053-064.)
n. d. - collar button boxMiddletown Plate Company. (undated). Collar button box (with embossed flowers). Silver. (Accession no. D1981.28.322. Viewed 13 August 2016. AAA00053-124.)
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B. Middletown Plate Company designs at auction
1880s | c. 1882 - trophyMiddletown Plate Co. (c. 1882). Unofficial 1882 Blue-Riband trophy for the S.S. Alaska. (Viewed 2 July 2018. G02109).
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1890s |
c. 1890 - berry dishMiddletown Plate Company. (c. 1890). Berry dish. (Viewed 31 May 2016. D00175.)
late 19th c. - pitcher and standMiddletown 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 standMiddletown Plate Company. (late 19th century). Victorian ice water pitcher on tilting stand. (Viewed 31 May 2016. D00185.)
c. 1899 - vase standMiddletown Plate Company. (late 19th / early 20th century). Vase stand. (Viewed 31 May 2016. D00186.)
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1900s |
20th c. - standMiddletown Plate Company. (20th century). Stand. Silver plate. (Viewed 31 May 2016. D00177.)
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n. d. |
n. d. - tazzaMiddletown Plate Co. (undated). Tazza. Silver plate. (Viewed 2 July 2018. G02107).
n. d. - partial tea setMiddletown Plate Company. (undated). Partial tea set. (Viewed 31 May 2016. D00187.)
n. d. - seven-piece tea and coffee setMiddletown Plate Company. (undated). Victorian, seven-piece tea and coffee set. Silver plate. (Viewed 31 May 2016. D00188.) n. d. - five-piece tea setMiddletown Plate Company. (undated). Aesthetic style five-piece tea set. Electroplated. (Viewed 31 May 2016. D00189.) n. d. - three piece tea setMiddletown Plate Company. (undated). Three piece tea set (pot, sugar bowl with cover and cream pitcher). (Viewed 5 January 2017. A01440.)
n. d. - nut bowlMiddletown Plate Company. (undated). Nut bowl. Silver plate. (Viewed 2 July 2018. G02113).
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C. Middletown Plate Company designs in exhibitions
1870s | 1876 - Centennial International Exhibition, Philadelphia10 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.)
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1880s | 1880-81 - Melbourne International Exhibition, Australia1 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. fairc. 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, Beaumont5 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 exhibitionc. 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.