Peachblow Sweetmeat Jar with Peacock & Swan 1876 - 1888

I have had this "Sweetmeat Jar" for many years and, although it is marked "Meriden" (stamped in the metal and an ink stamp on the bottom as well), I always thought that referred to just the silverplate. Turns out it identifies the glassmaker as well .

In the 19th century Meriden Britannia of Connecticut produced silverplated items, e.g. silverware and pickle caster holders. In 1876 they spun off Meriden Flint Glass. Meriden Flint Glass used glassmakers hired away from New England Glass to produce glass items like this example. In fact so many workers were hired away from New England Glass that the street where they lived in Meriden, Conn. was named Cambridge Street.

Meriden went out of business in 1888.

A "sweetmeat" is a piece of candy or a piece of fruit covered with sugar. I plan to fill this jar with that sweet stuff for Thanksgiving and Christmas and help it down with a sweet dessert wine.