Antique Decanter Accessory
These antique decanter accessory items bring practical refinement to the table through silver, glass, and wood.
Antique Decanter Accessory
When searching for an antique decanter accessory, collectors encounter wine funnels, coasters, labels, and cruet sets designed to assist with serving. These pieces originate from Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian periods.
Wine coasters and bottle stands appear frequently in wood, silver plate, and sterling silver. They protect dining surfaces while framing the base of the bottle.
Decanter labels and funnels complete the formal drinks service. Labels identify specific contents like claret, hock, or moselle, while funnels strain sediment during decanting.
Judging Quality
The standard of an antique decanter accessory rests upon the crispness of its chasing, engraving, or turned wood grain. Heavy gauge metalwork and clear hallmarks indicate superior domestic production.
Design integration separates standard examples from exceptional ones, particularly where silver mounts meet cut glass or where multiple bottles lock securely inside an oak tantalus frame.
Roosters and cockerels occasionally crow from Art Deco cocktail shakers, bringing farmyard charm to the sideboard.
Lowe And Sone·Brook And Son·Solomon Hougham·Hester Bateman·Wade Wingfield Wilkins·Hukin And Heath
The Antique Decanter Accessory Glossary
- Wine Funnel
- A two- or three-part utensil used to pour wine into a decanter while trapping sediment. It often includes a removable strainer pierced with small holes.
- Decanter Label
- A small tag hung around the neck of a bottle or decanter by a chain to identify the contents. Examples often feature vine leaf or shell motifs in silver or silver plate.
- Tantalus
- A locked wooden frame enclosing decanters to prevent unauthorized access to the spirits inside. It typically exposes the stoppers while securing the bodies.
- Cruet Set
- A collection of glass bottles fitted with silver or plated mounts, held together in a stand for condiments, oil, or vinegar. Larger sets hold up to eight individual bottles.
- Toddy Lifter
- A small glass rod with a bulbous bottom used to transfer hot punch or toddy from a bowl to a glass. The user places a finger over the top opening to hold the liquid by vacuum.
Antique Decanter Accessory: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a decanter label used for?
Decanter labels identify the specific wine or spirit contained within a vessel. They hang from the bottle neck on small chains.
Common labels name beverages like claret, hock, or moselle, allowing hosts to distinguish bottles easily at the table.
How do wine funnels work?
Wine funnels sit inside the neck of a decanter to filter out sediment as wine pours from the bottle. Many period examples feature a removable internal mesh or strainer.
Three-part versions often include a separate stand to catch drips after pouring is complete.
What is an antique tantalus?
A tantalus is a locked wooden stand that holds decanters securely in place. The frame prevents guests from pouring drinks without a key.
Most examples date from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, constructed in oak or mahogany with silver plated locking mechanisms.
How do I care for silver bottle coasters?
Silver and silver-plated coasters require gentle cleaning with a soft cloth to preserve the metal surface and any wooden inserts. Avoid harsh chemical dips.
Keeping the bases dry prevents moisture damage to the underlying baize or wood linings.