Edwardian Silver Mounted Bottle
These edwardian silver mounted bottle pieces combine substantial cut glass and precious metal mounts, offering practical elegance for the desk or dressing table.
Edwardian Silver Mounted Bottle
An edwardian silver mounted bottle gathers various glass vessels fitted with sterling silver collars, screw tops or hinged lids, spanning scent bottles, decanters and inkwells. The pieces predominantly date from the Edwardian period and the early twentieth century, though older Victorian examples also appear alongside later George V items.
Scent bottles and decanters form the core of the selection, ranging from small dressing table jars to large spirit bottles with silver collars. Many incorporate cut glass, ruby glass or bohemian cranberry glass, while others use oak, coromandel or silver plate for associated stands and tantalus frames.
Materials and construction methods
Makers shaped the glass bodies through heavy cutting, moulding or frosting, creating deep facets that catch the light on pieces like scent bottles and decanters. The metal mounts, formed from sterling silver or silver plate, were then secured around the bottlenecks or used to create hinged lids and screw tops.
Detailed ornamentation ranges from embossed Art Nouveau floral motifs to enamel painting and tortoiseshell inlays set into the silver covers. Oak and coromandel wood frames provide sturdy housing for multi-bottle tantalus sets, joined by secure metal hardware and locks.
Edwardian Silver Mounted Bottle Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for edwardian silver mounted bottle 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.
Whiskey noggins ensured nobody poured a double when a single was called for.
Factors influencing quality
Quality rests on the crispness of the glass cutting and the weight of the silver mounts, where thicker gauge metal resists denting and holds sharper hallmarks. Superior examples display precise facet alignment and unblemished crystal or coloured glass bodies.
The sophistication of the design sets finer specimens apart, particularly those featuring distinctive aesthetic movements, enamel work or renowned maker signatures on the silver collar. Complete matching pairs or fitted sets with original cases also elevate the standing of a piece.
Harold Bushell & Co·Archibald Knox for Liberty·Barnsley & Co
The Edwardian Silver Mounted Bottle Glossary
- Hallmark
- Official stamps punched into silver indicating the assay office, standard of purity and date letter. These marks allow collectors to verify the exact year and origin of the metal mount.
- Tantalus
- A locking wooden frame holding spirit decanters securely behind a bar to prevent unauthorized access. The bottles cannot be removed until the mechanism is unlocked with a key.
- Noggin
- A small drinking vessel or quarter-pint spirit measure, often mounted with a silver rim and accompanied by a matching label.
- Mount
- The decorative or functional metal collar, lid or base fitted to a glass bottle or inkwell. They are typically fabricated from sterling silver or silver plate.
Edwardian Silver Mounted Bottle: Frequently Asked Questions
What is an edwardian silver mounted bottle used for?
These vessels held perfumes, colognes, spirits or ink, serving both practical storage and decorative display functions on dressing tables, desks and sideboards.
The silver mounts protected the glass rims from chipping while adding a polished decorative accent to the utilitarian glass body.
How do I identify an Edwardian period bottle?
Look for hallmarks on the silver components that correspond to the early twentieth century, alongside typical design characteristics such as Art Nouveau curves or heavy cut glass.
Assay office stamps and date letters stamped into the sterling silver collar provide the most precise indication of the manufacturing date.
Are the stoppers usually original to the bottle?
Many surviving pieces retain their original matching glass stoppers or fitted silver screw caps, which were individually ground to fit each specific bottleneck.
Checking the interior neck and the stopper ground edges for matching numbers or wear patterns helps confirm their original pairing.
How should I clean silver mounts and glass?
Use a soft cloth and a gentle silver polish on the metal mounts, taking care to avoid getting abrasive cleaning agents onto the glass or enamel surfaces.
Warm soapy water and a bottle brush clear the interior glass safely without risking damage to delicate hallmarked collars.