Here we have a handsome George IV Scottish Sterling Silver Decanter Label for Madeira. The label is in classic Georgian style, being oblong with chamfered corners and line decoration. The word MADEIRA is deeply engraved across the front.

The decanter label was made in Edinburgh by J.W. Howden & Co and dates to 1821. The family business was established in Edinburgh by James Howden Snr in 1771 as watchmakers and silversmiths. He retired in 1809 and the business passed to his sons James Jnr and William, as J.W. Howden & Co. William died in 1824 and the company became J. Howden & Co. James Jnr worked with a number of Scottish provincial silversmiths, selling their wares through his Edinburgh store, and later took his son Andrew into partnership. They ceased trading in 1864.

Condition is good, with no dings or dents, no damage to the chain and just the superficial surface wear that you would anticipate after over 200 years of good service. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The label measures 4.2cm / 1.6ins by 2.2cm / 0.87ins and hangs 9.1cm / 3.6ins long from the top of the chain to the bottom of the label. It weighs in at 9.1g / 0.32oz of solid Sterling Silver.

The hallmarks, on the back of the label, are a little rubbed but still clear to read. They show the thistle for Scottish Sterling Silver, the three towered castle assay mark for Edinburgh, the date letter p for 1821, the George III duty mark (it didn't change to George IV until 1822) and the J W H makers' mark for J.W. Howden & Co.