A magnificent set of early Victorian Elkington silver plate wine coasters, with attractive double cast wire sides with the edges decorated with a fabulous cast grape vine design, top quality and fine detail.The coasters have turned wooden bases, with a vacant central silverplate boss. One has an old grain crack, perfectly stable and shown purely for accuracy. The underside of the wooden bases are covered in green felt.Both coasters carry a full set of marks, including makers mark ''E & Co.'' in a shield under a crown, ''E'', ''M'', ''&Co'', being the makers mark used by Elkington, Mason & Co between 1842 and 1864. Josiah Mason invested in the Elkington firm in 1842, hence the addition of his name to the company name.The makers mark is followed by the date letter P in a lozenge for 1854.Elkington & Co are one of the most important names in English silver. The firm was founded in 1836, in 1838 they patented a new way to electroplate, and in 1851 they exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851 (Crystal Palace in Hyde Park) with great success. The company held Royal warrants from Queen Victoria until George VI. Most coasters produced between 1850 and 1900 were silverplate.A magnificent and important pair that simply don''t come along often, they span at their widest 7 1/2'' with the wooden bases having an approximate diameter measuring 4 1/2''. Superb condition,Item ID: 35027FREE Worldwide Registered Airmail Directly From London, England FREE Worldwide Shipping Directly From London, England