Through the years, many different glass companies have made special items to satisfy the needs of their customers. Several of these items were devoted to serving food. Some of the favorites were dedicated to the sweet tooth in all of us. Delightful desserts were always a favorite finish to a wonderful meal. What better way to serve a cake, than on an elegant cake stand. These were also known as a pedestal cake plate or cake salver. The cake stands were usually composed of a flat surface that was about 10” wide. On many of the cake stands was a raised rim to prevent the cake from sliding off the edge. Below this was an elegant drapery edge that set off the piece. On some it was quite elaborate and on other items was very plain. This top was usually set on about a 6” tall columnar stem that could be plain or paneled.  The stem was set on a  round or square base.

The earliest cake stands were made of pressed or pattern glass. The following is a list of early companies along with some of their patterns to make these pedestal cake plates: Adams & Co. (Horseshoe, Moon & Star, Wildflower) ; Brilliant Glass Works (Hobnail with Bars); Boston & Sandwich (Lily of the Valley); Hobbs, Brockunier & Co (Tree of Life with Hand); Bryce Brothers (Cathedral); Cambridge Glass (Inverted Feather); Dalzell, Gilmore & Leighton Glass (Priscilla); Duncan & Sons (Ribbon, Three Face); Gillinder & Sons (Maple Leaf); Greentown Glass (Holly Amber); McKee Glass (Queen , Plutec); Riverside Glass (Esther); Ripley & Co. (Pavonia); Tarentum Glass (Beveled Diamond and Star); US Glass ( Beaded Grape, Dakota, King’s Crown, Oregon). While most of these cake stands were made in Crystal glass, there were also some beautiful colored pieces.

During the Depression years, there were other companies to make these decorative cake plates. Some of these companies and patterns include: Cambridge (Caprice); Fenton (Silvercrest); Fostoria (Colony); Heisey (Crystolite) Imperial (Candlewick, Cape Cod); New Martinsville (Radiance); Paden City (Cupid)

In later years some of the more contemporary cake stands were made by the following companies and their patterns: Anchor Hocking (Colonial Diamond, Vintage); Fenton ( Spanish Lace); Fostoria ( Coin, Jamestown); Jeanette (Harp); LE Smith (Moon & Star); Westmoreland (Beaded Grape); LG Wright (Daisy & Button, Moon & Star, Westward Ho); Viking (Princess).

Some of the companies even made domed lids to fit onto their cake stands as a way to keep the cake fresh and still be able to see the beauty of it. Anchor Hocking made their Wexford pattern with a domed lid. Princess House, a home party line company offered their Heritage pattern also with a domed lid. Both of these cake sets offered a more elegant way to store a cake.

It is no wonder that cake was a favorite dessert since there were so many fancy ways to serve it. Even today, cake remains a favorite. In our household, chocolate reigns supreme.