Antique Victorian 5 Bottle Cruet Set, a popular 19th-century dining centerpiece designed to hold and serve various liquid and powdered condiments.

CharacteristicsThe Frame:

A rotating silver-plated or quadruple-plated metal stand featuring an ornate, pierced central carrying handle.

The Bottles:

Clear molded or cut-glass bottles with varying tops tailored to specific table condiments.Typical

Contents:

Vinegar, oil, salt, pepper, and sugar,mustard or hot sauce.

HISTORY

The manufacturer's mark is from the Middletown Plate Company, a historic American silver manufacturing firm based in Middletown, Connecticut.

Maker & HistoryManufacturer: Middletown Plate Company (incorporated in 1866).

The Hallmark:

The circular stamp surrounds a balance scale symbol, which was one of the company's primary trademarks used for its silver-plated hollowware.

Date Range:

This specific standalone company stamp dates the piece between 1866 and 1899. In 1899, the business was absorbed into the International Silver Company, and standalone manufacturing under this exact name ceased shortly thereafter.

"Quadruple Plate":

This indicates the quality and thickness of the silver layer. It means the item went through an electroplating process utilizing four times the amount of pure silver compared to a standard silver-plated piece. This makes the coating more durable against polishing and daily wear.

Composition:

This item is silver-plated rather than solid sterling silver. The base metal underneath the silver layer is typically a "hard white metal" alloy (such as nickel silver).