19th Century Silver Plated Butter Dish w/Cow Finial

Late 19th Century/Middletown, Connecticut, USA

Middletown Plate Company was established in 1864 in Middletown, Connecticut, quickly gaining a reputation for producing high-quality silver-plated tableware. By the late 19th century, the company became part of the burgeoning American silver industry that rivaled traditional European manufacturers in domestic markets.<br>Their catalog frequently featured whimsical holloware designs, such as butter dishes with figural animal finials, which catered to affluent Victorian households. These pieces combined functional dining utility with the era's fascination with nature-inspired motifs before the company was eventually absorbed into the International Silver Company in 1898.