Do they fit modern wine bottles?

Most antique silver coasters were made for standard Georgian decanters. These tended to have broader bases than standard modern wine bottles. You can easily use them for wine. Just measure the internal diameter of the wooden base to ensure your preferred bottle will sit flat.

I have inherited a pair of these with a wooden base, but the green cloth on the bottom is peeling off. Can I replace it?

Yes, replacing the baize is standard maintenance. It doesn't harm the piece. Use traditional green wool baize and a reversible adhesive.

How do you clean the wood inside?

Treat the turned mahogany base like any other piece of period furniture. Wipe away dust and drips with a dry cloth after use. Applying a light coat of traditional beeswax every few months keeps the wood fed. Never immerse the coaster in water, as the wood will swell and split.

The silver marks on my single coaster are stamped on the lower edge, but one mark looks like a man's head. What does that mean?

That head is the duty mark. It indicates the silversmith paid the required tax to the Crown when the piece was assayed. This stamp was introduced during the reign of George III. It helps narrow down the production date of your antique silver coaster.

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Antique Silver Coasters from the 19th Century

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A low, circular silver gallery with a turned wooden base, designed to hold a decanter and slide smoothly across a polished mahogany dining table without scratching the wood.