Object Record
Images
Additional Images [1]
Metadata
Title |
Meriden tilting water pitcher |
Catalog Number |
M-2016.Fic.078 |
Object Name |
Pitcher, Water |
Description |
Antique Meriden Silverplated tilting water pitcher on stand. Pitcher is on hinges, attached to a serving tray. Very ornate silver work both on the tray and on the pitcher. There are flower designs, leaves and geometric patterns. Interior of the pitcher has a ceramic lining. Hinges have cut silver floral theme decorations in a half-moon shape. Again very elaborate decoration. Silver marks on bottom of pitcher and bottom of one handle on serving tray. |
Date |
c. 1890 |
Artist |
Meriden |
Collection |
Museum |
Makers mark |
Company name in circle with drawing of scales. |
Material |
Silver/Metal |
Number of images |
7 |
Notes |
Meriden Connecticut was center of silver and silver plate manufacturing. There were a few companies with Meriden in their name. (Similar names is an issue that has often been a source of confusion) The formation of the International Silver Company helped to consolidate these companies but it still used a variety of marks from the companies that formed it to indicate levels of quality. In 1862 Meriden Britannia Company bought the hollowware division, tools and dies of Rogers Brothers Mfg Co (incorporating Rogers, Smith & Co). The production of the '1847 Rogers Bros' line continued under the direction of William Rogers and in 1865 the plating shop was transferred from New Haven to Meriden and merged with Meriden Britannia Co in 1866. Meriden Britannia Company adopted in its flatware production the "sectional plate" under an 1868 patent obtained by Marshall L. Forbes. The process consisted in depositing an extra amount of silver on spoons and forks parts suffering the harder wear. Meriden Britannia Co wrote about its spoons and forks "... means they are plated three times heavier on the three points most exposed to wear ... adding correspondingly to their durability..." (text from Internet) |
Subjects |
Pitchers Platters Silverware Silverwork Trays |
Caption |
Tilting water pitcher |