Coasters / Bottle Holders
Wine coasters were not made until the 1760’s when they were produced from pierced sheet similar to the cake baskets of that date. These silver wine bottle or decanter holders, were usually made in pairs, sometimes fours, but it is rare to find an antique set longer than four. The silver hallmarks were often stamped on the edge of the base and as a result the marks can sometimes be difficult to read, either because they were badly struck or because, over the years, they have become rubbed. “The early name for such pieces was a ‘stand’ or ‘slider’; the term ‘coaster’, first recognized in 1887, was derived from the custom that, after finishing dinner, the cloth was removed from the table, the ladies withdrew, and the bottle of port was ‘coasted’ around the table by the men.” G. Bernard Hughes – ‘Old English Wine Coasters’ .
Bottle holders normally come in two distinct forms. The basket shape allows the bottle to be laid on its side ready for pouring. The upright stand has a handle and is usually adjustable in height; it’s often suitable for both wine and champagne bottles.
Decanter Wagons make a decorative addition to the dining table. These have two silver bottle coasters mounted onto a 2 wheeled frame which can be moved up and down the table.
The Jolly Boat is a special type of decanter wagon normally used on board ship in the naval officers’ dining room. It was customary at the table after pouring wine or spirit from the decanter, to return it to the stand and push it along to the next officer. It is believed that the saying ‘to push the boat out’ has its origins in the custom as the officer paying for the wine was the first to start the jolly boat off round the table. Jolly boat wine coasters were sometimes supplied with wheeled carriages, supposedly for use ashore. At sea, these were dispensed allowing the flat-bottomed coasters to provide the necessary stability aboard a rolling ship.
Coasters / Bottle Holders
Wine coasters were not made until the 1760’s when they were produced from pierced sheet similar to the cake baskets of that date. These silver wine bottle or decanter holders, were usually made in pairs, sometimes fours, but it is rare to find an antique set longer than four. The silver hallmarks were often stamped on the edge of the base and as a result the marks can sometimes be difficult to read, either because they were badly struck or because, over the years, they have become rubbed. “The early name for such pieces was a ‘stand’ or ‘slider’; the term ‘coaster’, first recognized in 1887, was derived from the custom that, after finishing dinner, the cloth was removed from the table, the ladies withdrew, and the bottle of port was ‘coasted’ around the table by the men.” G. Bernard Hughes – ‘Old English Wine Coasters’ .
Bottle holders normally come in two distinct forms. The basket shape allows the bottle to be laid on its side ready for pouring. The upright stand has a handle and is usually adjustable in height; it’s often suitable for both wine and champagne bottles.
Decanter Wagons make a decorative addition to the dining table. These have two silver bottle coasters mounted onto a 2 wheeled frame which can be moved up and down the table.
The Jolly Boat is a special type of decanter wagon normally used on board ship in the naval officers’ dining room. It was customary at the table after pouring wine or spirit from the decanter, to return it to the stand and push it along to the next officer. It is believed that the saying ‘to push the boat out’ has its origins in the custom as the officer paying for the wine was the first to start the jolly boat off round the table. Jolly boat wine coasters were sometimes supplied with wheeled carriages, supposedly for use ashore. At sea, these were dispensed allowing the flat-bottomed coasters to provide the necessary stability aboard a rolling ship.
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1770
Francis Lawley
9073 George III Silver Wine Coaster
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A pretty antique sterling silver coaster with pierced crisscross gallery. Very charming. Uninscribed. With turned hardwood base and silver centre button. Diameter 14.4 cms. Height 4.2 cms. London 1770. Maker Francis Lawley.
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1771
Thomas Nash
6027 George III Silver Wine Coasters
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A pretty pair of antique sterling silver coasters with pierced decorative gallery and gadroon borders. There is an engraved crest to the front of each. With turned hardwood bases. Diameter 11.75 cms. Height 3.5 cms. London 1771. Maker probably Thomas Nash.
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1777
Robert Hennell I
9881 George III Silver Wine Coasters
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A very pretty pair of antique silver bottle stands with pierced silver borders and solid hardwood centres. Simple elegant design with bead borders, foliate swags and classical motifs. To the front there an oval cartouche containing the letter “F” engraved. Height 3.4cm. Diameter 12cm. London 1777. Maker Robert Hennell I. Sterling silver.
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1778
Hester Bateman
8445 Georgian Silver Wine Coaster by Hester Bateman
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An elegant antique sterling silver bottle stand with pierced silver border and turned centres with silver button. The simple classical design, typical of the work by this sought after English lady silversmith, has a vertically pierced gallery with swags and classical motifs. To the front there is a vacant cartouche. Height 3.75 cms. Diameter 14 cms. Sterling silver. London 1778. Maker Hester Bateman.
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1781
8454 Georgian Silver Wine Coaster
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A very pretty antique silver bottle stand with pierced silver border, bead edge and turned hardwood centre. Small size. Simple classical design with bands of bright cut prick dot engraving and flower cut outs. To the front there a simple cartouche – uninscribed. Height 3.5 cms. Diameter 10.5 cms. Sterling silver. London 1781. Makers mark rubbed.
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1786
Robert Hennell I
9687 George III Antique Silver Wine Coasters
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An elegant pair of antique silver bottle stands with turned hardwood centres. The coasters have a simple classical design with a vertically pierced gallery, reed borders and hand engraved crest to the front. Height 2.9cm. Diameter 11.9 cm. Sterling silver. London 1786. Maker Robert Hennell.
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1787
Robert Hennell I
8517 George III Silver Wine Coaster
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A classical style antique sterling silver coaster with pierced silver gallery, bright cut borders and turned hardwood centre. Excellent quality. There are cut out medallions to the sides, a pretty hand engraved frieze of flowers and leaves, and a squirrel crest to the front. Height 3.8 cms. Diameter 12 cms. London 1787. Maker Robert Hennell.
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1789
Henry Chawner
9147 George III Silver Wine Coasters
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A classic pair of antique sterling silver wine bottle stands with elegant plain styling. Turned hardwood bases. Uninscribed. Diameter 12 cms. Height 3.5 cms. London 1789. Maker Henry Chawner.
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1789
9416 George III Silver Wine Coasters
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A very pretty pair of antique silver bottle stands with pierced silver border and turned hardwood centre. Simple classical design with bands of bright cut engraving and classical motifs. To the front there a simple cartouche with a crest and motto. Height 3.6cm. Diameter 12.2cm. Sterling silver. London 1789. Makers mark rubbed.
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1795
7667 Georgian Silver Wine Coaster
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A very pretty antique silver bottle stand with pierced silver border and turned hardwood centre. Simple classical design with bands of bright cut engraving and swags of engraved flowers and leaves. To the front there a simple cartouche – uninscribed. Height 4 cms. Diameter 12 cms. Sterling silver. London 1795. Makers mark rubbed.
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1804
Paul Storr
7541 Georgian Silver Wine Coaster by Paul Storr
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A handsome antique sterling silver bottle holder with plain classic styling and gadroon borders. Excellent quality and good gauge silver as you’d expect from this world famous English silversmith. The turned hardwood centre has an inset silver button. Diameter 13.25 cms. Height 5 cms. London 1804. Maker Paul Storr.
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1813
9527 George III Silver Coaster
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A classic antique sterling silver wine bottle stand with elegant plain styling. Hand engraved crest to the front. Turned hardwood base. Diameter 12 cm. Height 3.4 cms. London 1798 or 1813. Maker’s mark rubbed.
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1814
9519 George III Antique Silver Coaster
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A classic antique sterling silver wine bottle stand with elegant plain styling. Turned hardwood base. Uninscribed. Diameter 12.2 cm. Height 3.5 cms. London 1814. Maker’s mark rubbed.
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1820
S C Younge & Co
8536 Pair of George IV Antique Silver Wine Coasters
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A substantial pair of decorative antique sterling silver wine bottle holders with turned hardwood bases and central button. The tall gallery and borders have grape and vine leaf ornamentation. Large size; suitable for a champagne bottle. The central buttons are engraved with a monogram of stylised intertwined initials. Diameter 12.8 cms. Height 7 cms. Sheffield 1820. Maker SC Younge.
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Circa 1820
7602 Georgian Wine Waggon in Old Sheffield Plate
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A charming plain design double coaster trolley with the unusual feature of a pair of carved wooden wheels underneath. Very nicely made with bead borders, side handles and central buttons with a hand engraved monogram. To the centre there are two scroll holders which hold the decanter stoppers. Total spread across handles 37 cms. Coaster diameter 14 cms. Height 5.5 cms, 8 cms to top of handle. Circa 1820. Old Sheffield plate.
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Circa 1830
7829 Antique Decanter Wagon in Old Sheffield Plate
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An excellent quality double coaster trolley with articulated mechanism. The two wine bottle holders have decorative applied mounts with flowers and foliate scrolls. The turned wooden bases have centre buttons. The undercarriage is well made and operates smoothly. Length 41.5 cms. Diameter of coaster 16.5 cms. Height 9.5 cms. Unmarked. Old Sheffield plate. Circa 1830.
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1832 - 1836
Howard & Hawkesworth
9932 Antique Silver Wine Coasters
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A substantial pair of antique silver wine bottle holders with turned hardwood bases and central button. The tall gallery and borders has grape and vine leaf ornamentation. Large size; suitable for a champagne bottle. One of the central buttons is engraved with the initial “D”. Diameter 14cm (outside). Height 6.5cm. Sheffield 1832/36. Maker Howard & Hawkesworth. Sterling silver.
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Circa 1880
5113 Victorian Silver Plated Decanter Wagon
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An amazing after dinner talking piece. A good antique silver plated trolley coaster with plain styling and armorial crest engraved to the centre. Articulated wheels, fixed carriage. Perfect fit for a pair of large antique decanters – see photo. Decanters not included in the price. Length 39 cms. Diameter 13 cms (inside measurement). Unmarked. English. Circa 1880.
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Circa 1880
7269 Victorian Silver Plated Wine Pourer
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An antique silver plated drinks server with lovely plain styling and bead borders. Perfect for both wine and champagne bottles. Extendable handle – height 26.5/33 cms. Diameter 11 cms. Circa 1880. Maker Walker & Hall, Sheffield. Silver plated.
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1962
Richard Burbidge (Harrod's Stores Ltd)
8429 Vintage Silver Wine Coaster
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An elegant sterling silver bottle stand with pretty pierced border and turned wood centre with silver button. Excellent classical design. Height 3.5 cms. Diameter 14 cms. Birmingham 1962. Maker Harrods Ltd. Sterling silver.
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