What is a georgian silver label?

A georgian silver label is a small piece of silverware designed to hang around the neck of a decanter or bottle. Its purpose is to identify the specific wine, spirit, or sauce contained within the vessel.

How were these labels attached?

Silversmiths equipped these items with matching silver chains, links, or rigid collars that slipped over the neck of the glass decanter. This allowed the tag to dangle freely just below the stopper.

What drinks are named on them?

The inscriptions cover fortified and table wines such as sherry, port, claret, madeira, hock, moselle, and bucellas. Other labels designate spirits like rum, gin, brandy, and whisky, alongside rarer condiment tags for cayenne, vinegar, and anchovy.

How do I identify the period?

Dating relies upon the style of the chasing and lettering, alongside stamped hallmarks on the reverse or rim. These marks typically show the maker's initials, the lion passant for sterling silver, and a date letter corresponding to the assay office year.