Antique Silver Wine Tag
These antique silver wine tags identify decanted bottles on the dining table, offering names like port, sherry or claret in bright metal.
Antique Silver Wine Tag
An antique silver wine tag, frequently called a decanter label or bottle ticket, hangs from the neck of a decanter by a thin chain or wire ring to name the drink inside. The selection spans George III examples through to Victorian, Edwardian and mid twentieth century pieces, covering forms from simple escutcheons to vine leaves and rectangular plates.
The varieties on this page include traditional British Georgian and Victorian silver labels alongside Chinese export pieces, Scottish provincial items and enamel decorated versions. Makers ranged from prominent London workshops to provincial silversmiths and female makers such as Elizabeth Morley.
Collectors encounter names like Sherry, Port, Madeira, Claret, Rum, Hock and Brandy, alongside rarer titles and blank or monogrammed versions. They function as both barware accessories and small pieces of portable silver art.
What varies in quality
Quality rests upon the crispness of the piercing and engraving, the depth of the cast relief work, and the balance of the overall design. Finer examples display sharp lettering and well-defined floral or vine motifs without soft edges from over-polishing.
The reputation of the maker and the clarity of the hallmarking stamps significantly influence the standing of a piece. Earlier Georgian London or provincial pieces with clear maker marks carry distinct craftsmanship compared to mass-produced later work.
Chinese export silversmiths carved leaping dragons onto nineteenth century port labels, ensuring your after dinner drink came with a protective mythological beast.
Elizabeth Morley·Digby Scott Benjamin Smith·John Reily·Thomas Wallis II·William Sharp·Peter And Anne Bateman·Mappin And Webb
The Antique Silver Wine Tag Glossary
- Silver Gilt
- Silver covered with a thin layer of gold, sometimes called vermeil. This technique adds a warm golden tone to the surface of the wine tag.
- Hallmark
- A series of official marks stamped on precious metals in Britain indicating the maker, standard of silver, assay office, and year of testing. These stamps allow precise dating of the piece.
- Vine Leaf
- A popular decorative motif shaped like the foliage of a grapevine, frequently pierced or embossed with grapes. It matches the botanical theme appropriate for wine drinking accessories.
Antique Silver Wine Tag: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you hang a wine tag?
A wine tag hangs from the neck of a glass decanter using an attached silver chain or a rigid wire ring. The chain is long enough to let the tag rest against the shoulder of the bottle without slipping off during pouring.
Most antique labels were designed specifically for this method of suspension, matching the tapered necks of traditional decanters.
Why are some wine tags blank?
Blank wine tags were produced to allow the owner to write or engrave the specific contents of the decanter themselves. This offered flexibility for households changing the type of wine served from evening to evening.
Others feature monograms or initials rather than a wine name, reflecting the personal mark of the owner.
How do you date a silver wine tag?
Dating relies on the assay office hallmarks stamped directly onto the silver, which record the exact year letter and the maker's mark. Stylistic clues such as Regency vine leaves or Georgian bright-cut shields also help narrow down the period.
Comparing the shape and typography of the title against known manufacturing periods provides further confirmation.
What is a miniature wine tag?
Miniature wine tags, sometimes called one go labels, were made for smaller individual bottles or smaller decanter servings. They measure significantly smaller than standard decanter labels to fit miniature glassware.
These smaller pieces were particularly favoured for spirits like rum or brandy during the Georgian era.