Silver Decanter Accessory
A silver decanter accessory brings traditional British hospitality to the table, offering practical service for wine and spirits through historic pieces.
Silver Decanter Accessory
A silver decanter accessory encompasses a variety of traditional items designed to serve, label, and protect wine and spirits during dining. The selection on this page centres on wine funnels, decanter labels, wine coasters, cruet sets, spirit flasks, scent bottles, and tantalus units spanning Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco periods.
Wine coasters and funnels appear frequently alongside inscribed labels that identify specific vintages and spirits. Buyers will also encounter multi-bottle cruet sets and locking tantalus cases housed in wood frames.
Originating predominantly from British silversmith workshops and Sheffield plating enterprises, these objects reflect formal dining customs from the eighteenth century through the mid-twentieth century.
Materials and Construction
Craftsmen utilised sterling silver, silver plate, and Old Sheffield plate combined with cut glass, crystal, oak, and mahogany. Metal components were cast, hammered, pierced, or engraved, while wooden bases often featured turned rims and central button mounts.
Glass vessels and decanters were mouth-blown and cut, then fitted with silver mounts, collars, and hinged stoppers. Labels were stamped or pierced with lettering denoting particular beverage names.
One cocktail shaker takes the shape of a proud glass cockerel, ready to crow over your evening spirits.
Evaluating Quality
Superior examples demonstrate crisp, deep piercing and clear hallmarks that remain unaltered by excessive polishing. Heavier gauge metal provides structural rigidity, particularly in wine funnels and coasters.
The integration of materials dictates distinction, where finely grained mahogany or dense oak complements unblemished glass inserts and solid silver mounts rather than thin plated alternatives.
Solomon Hougham·Hester Bateman·Hukin and Heath·Lowe and Sone·Brook and Son·Wade Wingfield Wilkins
The Silver Decanter Accessory Glossary
- Decanter Label
- A small inscribed tag hung by a chain around the neck of a bottle to identify the contents. These pieces often feature pierced decoration naming wines such as port or claret.
- Wine Funnel
- A tiered device used to decant wine while filtering out sediment. Georgian examples often include a removable straining section.
- Wine Coaster
- A small circular tray with a raised rim designed to hold a bottle and protect table surfaces. Many versions pair silver or silver plate with turned wood bases.
- Tantalus
- A locking wooden frame holding decanters securely to prevent unauthorized access to spirits. These units usually incorporate a metal locking bar operated by a key.
- Cruet Set
- A matched collection of glass bottles fitted in a metal frame for holding condiments and sauces at the table.
Silver Decanter Accessory: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a decanter label used for?
Decanter labels identify the specific wine or spirit held within a decanter or bottle. They hang from the neck using a chain.
Historically, these tags prevented confusion at the dining table when multiple unmarked decanters circulated among guests.
How do I date a silver wine funnel?
Dating relies heavily upon the stamped hallmarks on the silver, which indicate the assay office and year of manufacture. Stylistic shifts also help distinguish Georgian pierced designs from later Victorian iterations.
Maker marks provide further clues when matched against historical silversmith registries.
What wood is used in bottle coasters?
Coaster bases are frequently fashioned from dense hardwoods such as mahogany and oak. These timbers provided a stable, weighted foundation beneath the silver gallery.
Many examples feature green baize glued to the underside to protect polished dining tables.
How do tantalus locks function?
A tantalus secures decanters by means of a hinged wooden or metal bar that drops over the stoppers. Turning a key engages a locking mechanism at the end of the bar.
This prevents the glass stoppers from being removed and the bottles from being withdrawn.