Antique Bottle Coaster
These antique bottle coaster designs keep the table protected while passing the wine.
What the pieces are
An antique bottle coaster holds a wine bottle or decanter to protect the dining table from drips and rings. The forms range from single holders to multiple bottle versions and magnum coolers.
Silver plate and Old Sheffield plate dominate the selection, often seen alongside turned wood and mahogany. Examples span the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian periods.
Single wine coasters and paired sets appear frequently. Larger stands accommodate twin bottles or multiple vessels for dinner service.
How they were made
Metalsmiths utilised silver plate and Old Sheffield plate, alongside solid silver and copper. Turned wood and mahogany form the bases of many pieces.
Pierced decoration and applied grape and vine motifs embellish the silver-plated walls. Turned wooden bases provide structural stability for the metal rims.
Some larger antique frames hold up to six bottles at once, ready for very thirsty dinner guests.
What varies in quality
The weight of the metal and the crispness of pierced detailing distinguish the work. Crisp grape and vine motifs demonstrate superior handling by the silversmith.
The integration between the turned wood base and the metal gallery shows the standard of construction. Heavy solid silver bases indicate high workshop standards.
Thomas Wilkinson Sheffield·Mappin and Webb·Barnards·Robert Garrard·William Allen
The Antique Bottle Coaster Glossary
- Old Sheffield Plate
- A fused layer of silver over a copper core. This technique predates modern electroplating and leaves a distinctive edge.
- Silver Plate
- A thin layer of silver applied to a base metal. This method became widespread during the nineteenth century.
- Pierced
- Metal cut through to create openwork patterns. Grape and vine motifs often appear within this pierced decoration.
- Magnum Cooler
- An enlarged coaster designed for larger champagne or wine bottles. These pieces hold wider diameters than standard wine coasters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean an antique silver plated bottle coaster?
Use a soft cloth and a gentle silver polish suitable for plated items. Avoid harsh abrasives that wear away the thin silver layer.
Take care around turned wood bases to prevent moisture damage during cleaning.
Can these hold modern wine bottles?
Most standard wine bottles fit comfortably within the traditional diameters. Larger champagne magnums require the specific wider coolers.
Measure the base diameter of your bottles before purchasing a tight-fitting pair.
Were these always sold in pairs?
Coasters often appear as matched pairs for opposite ends of the dining table. Single pieces and sets of three or more also exist.
Larger serving stands were built to hold multiple bottles together on a sideboard.
What is the difference between Old Sheffield Plate and silver plate?
Old Sheffield Plate involves fusing a sheet of silver to a copper core before shaping. Electroplated silver applies a coating using an electrical current later in the nineteenth century.
Look closely at the rims to spot the underlying copper showing through on older fused pieces.