How do I hang a silver label?

Most pieces include an original thin silver chain or jump ring threaded through the top loop. This chain slips easily over the bottleneck of a decanter. Ensure the chain rests securely on the glass shoulder so the label hangs forward to display the engraved drink name.

What drinks are named on these labels?

The common inscriptions include port, sherry, claret, madeira, rum, gin, hock, and moselle. Some unusual examples name cayenne or feature single letters. These titles reflect the dining and drinking habits of the Georgian period, where decanters held varied contents.

Are these labels made of solid silver?

The items recorded here consist of sterling silver and solid silver, meeting the legal standard of the period. London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow assay offices tested and marked the metal. Matching hallmarks on the reverse or rim confirm the silver standard and often provide the date of manufacture.

How can I tell the date of a label?

Date letters stamped within the hallmarks indicate the exact year the piece passed through the assay office. Stylistic clues such as rococo revival scrolls or simple Regency shields also point to specific decades. Combining the maker's mark with the assay office stamp gives the most reliable chronological placement.