Antique Card Table Accessory
These antique card table accessory pieces bring miniature silver craftsmanship and decorative charm to formal dining tables.
Antique Card Table Accessory
The pieces on this page span the Victorian, Edwardian, George V and George VI periods, stretching into the 1930s and 1940s. Figural designs predominate, ranging from owls, swans and game birds to human figures, maidens and characters like Alice in Wonderland and Robin Hood.
How they were made
Silversmiths constructed these table accessories predominantly from sterling silver, utilising casting and detailed hand-chasing to render animal and figural forms. Many items incorporate polychrome enamel, guilloche enamel, velvet, silk, leather, or black lacquer.
Antique Card Table Accessory Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for card table accessory among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
A monkey playing drums sits patiently among the silver menagerie, ready to drum up conversation at the dinner table.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the crispness of the casting and the depth of the hand-chased detail on each figural subject. Pieces where the maker has defined individual feathers, fur or facial expressions cleanly show superior craftsmanship.
The application of enamel and the preservation of original cased sets elevate certain examples. Complete sets of four or more matched pieces demand attention for their consistency and survival as an intact group.
Sampson Mordan·Levi and Salaman·A Wilcox·Liberty
The Antique Card Table Accessory Glossary
- Menu Holder
- A small upright display stand designed to hold a printed dinner menu on the dining table. They frequently match the design of accompanying place card holders.
- Place Card Holder
- A miniature stand used to indicate seating arrangements at formal meals by holding a guest's name card. These often mirror the figural motifs found on menu holders.
- Guilloche Enamel
- A decorative technique involving precise mechanical engraving beneath translucent enamel layers. This method produces repetitive geometric patterns that catch the light.
- Sterling Silver
- An alloy of silver containing ninety-two point five percent pure silver and seven point five percent other metals, usually copper. Hallmarks stamped upon the metal indicate the assay office and year of manufacture.
Antique Card Table Accessory: Frequently Asked Questions
What is an antique card table accessory?
An antique card table accessory typically refers to silver menu holders and place card holders used during formal meals and gatherings.
These small sculptural items served practical functions while adding decorative character to the table setting.
How were menu holders used?
Menu holders were placed along the dining table to hold printed menus for guests to consult during multi-course meals.
They worked alongside place card holders to organise seating and complete the tablescape.
How do I identify Edwardian silver?
Edwardian silver pieces date from the reign of King Edward VII between 1901 and 1910.
Assay office hallmarks and date letters stamped onto the sterling silver provide exact verification of the year of creation.
How should I clean silver accessories?
Silver accessories require gentle cleaning with a soft cloth to preserve delicate details and any applied enamel surfaces.
Harsh abrasive dips should be avoided, particularly on pieces with coloured enamel or fabric components.