Antique Spirit Labels
Antique spirit labels sit on decanters and bottles to name the contents, bringing polished order to a drinks tray.
Antique Spirit Labels
Antique spirit labels identify drinks such as rum, gin, whisky, brandy, sherry and madeira hanging from bottle necks. These small markers appear in sterling silver, silver plate, enamel and jasperware across Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and mid-century periods.
The pieces on this page range from early Georgian silver rectangles to Edwardian and George V sets, alongside silver-mounted jugs, noggin bottles and flagons complete with their own labels.
Materials and construction
Silversmiths stamped, pierced and engraved sheet sterling silver to form curved or crescent-shaped plaques, suspending them on matching silver chains. Some examples incorporate enamel work or pair the metal with cut glass decanters and stoneware flagons.
Provincial and metropolitan makers utilised traditional techniques like die-stamping and hand-engraving to carve specific beverage titles directly into the metal surface.
Antique Spirit Labels Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for spirit labels 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.
An unusual title on a silver tag reminds us that past drinkers enjoyed naming contents far more specific than standard spirits.
Judging the quality
Quality rests upon the crispness of the lettering, the weight of the silver and the elegance of the pierced border design. Substantial gauge metal and clear hallmarks elevate an example above mass-produced versions.
Complete matching sets or labels paired with their original glass decanters demonstrate greater desirability than isolated single pieces showing heavy wear.
Mappin And Webb·Elkington
The Antique Spirit Labels Glossary
- Decanter label
- A small metal tag hung around the neck of a bottle or decanter to name the liquor inside. These items are also historically known as bottle tickets.
- Noggin
- A small mug or jug holding a single measure of spirits, frequently paired with a matching silver label in Edwardian and later sets.
- Tantalus
- A wooden locking cabinet holding decanters securely behind a bar while displaying the spirit labels through a frame.
- Jasperware
- Fine stoneware developed with a matte finish, used for specific spirit flagons and applied decoration.
Antique Spirit Labels: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I hang a spirit label?
Most antique spirit labels feature a thin link chain that slips easily over the neck of a decanter or wine bottle.
Position the chain so the metal plaque rests squarely against the shoulder of the glass vessel.
Were these labels used for wine?
Makers inscribed names for fortified and aged wines like madeira, sherry and port alongside spirits like gin and whisky.
Collectors often group matching tags together regardless of the specific drink named on the face.
How do I date a silver label?
Assay office hallmarks stamped on the reverse or rim provide specific letters and date codes for the year of manufacture.
Stylistic shifts from Georgian pierced vine leaves to Edwardian simplicity also help determine the period.
What is a whisky noggin?
A noggin is a small glass jug or bottle designed to hold a modest individual measure of spirit for the table.
These vessels frequently incorporate a silver collar and a matching hanging label.