Pair of Silver-Plated Wine Bottle Coasters with Armorial Crest Buttons
Silver-plated wine bottle coasters with turned wooden centres.
The shaped rims have shell and foliate scroll decoration.
Gadrooned sides create a strongly ribbed circular profile.
The internal metal buttons bear engraved armorial decoration.
Approximate dimensions
To accommodate bottles up to 118 mm diameter (4.65").
Condition
The silver-plated surfaces display areas of tarnish and localised discolouration and may be polished if preferred. The wooden interiors show surface marking and colour variation. The underside textile panels have areas of discolouration.
Description
A matched pair of circular silver-plated wine bottle coasters, each constructed with a low metal surround and an inset turned wooden base. The broad internal wells are designed to support the bases of wine or decanter bottles while protecting the table surface beneath.
Each coaster has an outward-projecting scalloped rim decorated with repeated shell forms, foliate sprays, scrolls and small rounded bosses. A smooth inner band separates the border decoration from the recessed well.
The inner and outer walls are ornamented with closely spaced vertical gadroons. These rounded lobes form a continuous ribbed band above a plain stepped lower edge.
Each brown wooden centre is turned with concentric circular grooves and fitted with a small round silver-coloured button. The button shown in detail is engraved with an armorial device depicting a winged dragon-like creature in profile above a narrow ribbon or twisted base. This engraved heraldic decoration forms a prominent feature within the otherwise plain wooden well.
The undersides have circular brown textile-covered panels enclosed by exposed wooden borders.
Wine bottle coasters of this type were traditionally placed beneath bottles or decanters at the dining table. The wooden centres helped support the bottle while the surrounding metal rim contained moisture and protected polished furniture. Their historicist shell, scroll and gadrooned decoration is consistent with late nineteenth- or early twentieth-century tableware.
They may also be used beneath modern wine bottles, decanters or other similarly sized table vessels.
Object Type: Wine Bottle Coasters
Age: 1850–1899
Era / Period: Late Victorian
Material: Silver-Plated Metal and Wood
Finish: Polished
Production Technique: Turned and Pressed
Decoration Technique: Engraved and Moulded
Pattern: Gadrooned Shell and Scroll
Style: Historicist
Pair Silver Plated Wine Bottle Coasters Armorial Crest Wooden Bases