Antique Victorian Meriden Britannia Silverplate Footed Butter Cooler Dish W/Cow Finial & Original Glass Liner

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Antique Victorian Meriden Britannia Silverplate Footed Butter Cooler Dish w/Cow Finial & Original Glass Liner

A exceptional, highly collectible example … Read more Antique Victorian Meriden Britannia Silverplate Footed Butter Cooler Dish w/Cow Finial & Original Glass Liner

A exceptional, highly collectible example of American late-Victorian tableware. This complete four-piece silverplated "butter basket" or cooling system was manufactured by the renowned Meriden Britannia Company in Meriden, Connecticut. Dating to the late 19th century, this piece features an ornate aesthetic style highlighted by a beautifully detailed, figural standing dairy cow finial atop the dome lid. The footed basin features an intricately chased floral and foliage band around the circumference and rests on three elaborately detailed ornate legs. Mechanically functional for formal dining, the deep basin was designed to hold crushed ice or cold water beneath a pierced metal drainage insert, circulating chilled air upward to keep butter firm. Remarkably, this set retains its rare, original clear glass insert disk that sits flush on the liner to provide a non-porous cutting surface.

Condition Notes:
Very good antique condition with gorgeous original luster and light, character-rich tarnish. The silver plating remains intact with excellent surface integrity and no heavy bleeding. Note: As visible in the detailed close-up photographs, there is one small, shallow dent on the dome lid. All four original components are present and fit together securely.

Details & Specifications:

• Creator / Maker: Meriden Britannia Company (Stamped with the historic circular balanced-scales trademark on the base)
• Design / Pattern Number: 4948 ½
• Period / Age: Late 19th Century (Circa 1870s–1890s)
• Styles: Victorian, Aesthetic Movement, Traditional
• Place of Origin: United States (Meriden, Connecticut)
• Materials: Silverplate, Glass, White Metal / Pewter (base metal)
• Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
• Number of Pieces Included: 4 (Footed Basin, Pierced Liner, Glass Disk, Cow Finial Dome Lid) See less