Georgian Bottle Tag
A georgian bottle tag sits upon the neck of a decanter, identifying spirits and wines in silver.
Georgian Bottle Tag
A georgian bottle tag is a small piece of silver hung by a chain around the neck of a decanter to name its contents such as Port, Sherry, Claret, Rum, Madeira, Hock, Gin, Cayenne, or Moselle. These items span the 18th Century, Georgian, Regency, William IV, and Victorian periods.
The pieces on this page take various forms including escutcheon shapes, vine leaf designs, and bottle tickets originating from makers in London, Edinburgh, and Scottish provincial towns like Peterhead.
Materials and construction
Silversmiths constructed these tags primarily from sterling silver and solid silver, occasionally applying a silver gilt finish to the surface for a rich appearance.
Makers shaped the metal through piercing, stamping, and engraving to produce vine leaf motifs and escutcheon outlines, attaching suspension chains to secure each label.
Georgian Bottle Tag Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for georgian bottle tag 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.
Distinctions in quality
Quality rests upon the crispness of the pierced or engraved lettering and the elegance of the outline, whether an escutcheon or a naturalistic vine leaf.
The reputation of the silversmith and the clarity of the hallmarks stamped into the silver elevate certain pieces above standard production.
William Barrett II·Elizabeth Morley·John Reily·Thomas Wallis II·Peter and Anne Bateman
The Georgian Bottle Tag Glossary
- Escutcheon
- A shield-shaped plate used for a decanter label. This form provides a clear central field for engraved lettering naming the wine or spirit.
- Silver Gilt
- Silver that has been coated with a thin layer of gold. This treatment gives the metal a warm, golden lustre.
- Bottle Ticket
- An alternative historical term for a decanter label or bottle tag. It describes the small inscribed piece hung from the neck of a bottle or decanter.
Georgian Bottle Tag: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a georgian bottle tag used for?
A georgian bottle tag hangs around the neck of a glass decanter to identify the specific wine or spirit held inside. They prevent confusion at the dining table when multiple decanters are served.
The inscriptions name traditional drinks such as Port, Sherry, Claret, Madeira, and Gin, often rendered in crisp engraved capital letters.
How do you hang a bottle tag?
These tags suspend from a fine silver link chain that loops securely around the slender neck of a decanter. The chain allows the tag to dangle freely against the glass.
Collectors ensure the chain is original to the piece, as matching chains complete the historical integrity of the silver tag.
How are periods identified on these tags?
Periods are identified through hallmarks stamped into the silver, which record the assay office, the date letter, and the maker's mark. Stylistic clues like Rococo Revival scrolls or Regency restraint also help date the metal.
Looking closely at the script style and shape provides further confirmation whether a piece originates from the eighteenth century or the reign of William IV.
Can you collect sets of bottle tags?
Collectors often gather matched sets of tags to outfit a collection of decanters uniformly on a sideboard. Sets sometimes share a single silversmith and assay year.
Finding multiple matching labels from makers such as the Batemans offers a cohesive display for a dining room.