Cupid and Swan Dish manufactured by the Meriden Britannia Company. Wood engraving by Asher & Adams, ca. 1876. An example of the ornate wares produced by Meriden Britannia during the 1870s – Connecticut Historical Society

On July 16, 1870, a devastating fire destroyed the main building of the Meriden Britannia Company, an internationally famed producer of silver-plated ware, in Meriden, Connecticut. The 700-foot-long building employed over 900 people, including 100 women, all of whom were left temporarily without work. However, the building was fully insured, the loss was fully covered, and rebuilding began immediately, while work continued unabated at the company’s six other factories. Although this was the worst fire ever to occur in Meriden, the building was back in production within months, with employees working up to 13 hours per day.

Manufactory of Meriden Britannia Company, West Meriden, Conn. Wood engraving by Asher & Adams, ca. 1876. This birds-eye view shows the factory as rebuilt – Connecticut Historical Society

Meriden Britannia took its name from Britannia metal, which is made of tin, copper, and antimony (an element with a silvery appearance). The company used this alloy as the base metal for its silver-plated household goods. These included elaborate goblets, pitchers, teas sets, cake baskets, candy dishes, vases, and epergnes, as well as more practical and functional flatware. (Epergnes are table centerpieces with tiered arms for holding food or flowers.) Though often overly ornate for modern tastes, these items gave designers and craftsmen plentiful opportunities to demonstrate their skill. Products of the Meriden Britannia Company received premiums at the American Institute Fairs in 1873, 1874, and 1875, and at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition in 1876. The American Institute pronounced its goods to be “By far The Best made in this country, and we believe in the world.”