Antique Silver Wine Label


Date: 1788

Maker: Mary Ann & Charles Reilly

Country: England

Stock: 9777

Description

A rare little silver bottle ticket of oval form with a distinctive gadroon and shell border. Engraved to the front with “SWEET WINE”.

Weight 22 grams, less than 1 troy ounce.

Measures 4.4 x 2.7 cm.

London 1788.

Maker Makepeace & Carter.

Sterling silver.

Literature. Wine labels, also known as “bottle tickets”, appear to have originated in the second quarter of the 18th century. They were made in many attractive designs and are a popular collecting field. Generally, the label is suspended around the neck of the bottle by a chain, although some are formed as plain collars which slip over the neck, or formed as a plain rectangle hinged from a wire ring. Among the many good makers are Hester Bateman and family, Phipps & Robinson, Samuel Bradley, Mary Binley and Paul Storr.

Biography

Mary Ann & Charles Reilly

John Reily, no record of apprenticeship or freedom, first mark entered as smallworker 1799 in partnership with Mary Hyde, his future wife. Second mark, alone, 1801. 3rd mark 1802. 4th mark, 2 sizes, 1805. 5th mark 1826. Died 1816.
Charles Reily, son of John Reily, no record of apprenticeship or freedom, first mark entered as smallworker, in partnership with his mother Mary Reily, 1826. 2nd mark entered as plateworker, in partnership with George Storer, 1829. 3rd mark, 2 sizes, 1840. Their later marks are found mainly on fine quality snuff boxes and other small pieces.

Condition

A quality little label in good condition. Stamped with a full set of clear English hallmarks. Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation of this item.

Images