Barge of Venus
date: label: date made
content: 1875
notes: label: Description
content: Partial-gilt, figural centerpiece with a rectangular base on six bracket feet that is ornamented with an oval plateau, its mirrored surface imitating water upon which two swans, driven by Cupid, pull a seashell barge or boat. Six cattails rise up out of the water alongside the barge, and four winged putti sit on the corners of the base and play music, each with a different instrument. A die-rolled band of scrolling ivy vines encircles the plateau. Chased bellflower designs adorn the base and feet. Elements are individually cast and screwed into the base. Underside of base is struck incuse near center "MIDDLETOWN PLATE C\o.", "TRIPLE PLATE" and "979".
label: Description
content: Maker is Middletown Plate Co. of Middletown, CT. Middletown Plate Co. was founded in 1864 and became a subsidiary of International Silver Co. in 1898; International continued to use the Middletown name and mark until at least 1921.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States: Connecticut, Middletown
setName: label: See more items in
content: Home and Community Life: Domestic Life
label: See more items in
content: Domestic Furnishings
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: DL.314472.01
label: catalog number
content: 314472.01
label: accession number
content: 314472
objectType: label: Object Name
content: centerpiece
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: electroplated (overall production method/technique)
label: Physical Description
content: silver plate (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: gold (gilded areas material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 17 3/4 in x 21 in x 11 5/8 in; 45.085 cm x 53.34 cm x 29.5275 cm