Silver Plated Wine Accessory
These silver plated wine accessory pieces combine metalwork and glass to serve drinks, spanning eras from the Georgian period to the mid-century.
Silver Plated Wine Accessory
A silver plated wine accessory takes forms such as wine coasters, ice buckets, bottle holders, and decanter coasters designed for the dining table or bar. These items protect surfaces and chill bottles, serving both practical and decorative roles during social gatherings.
The selections on this page draw from Victorian, Edwardian, and mid-century traditions, alongside earlier Georgian examples and pieces from the 1920s and 1930s. Buyers will frequently encounter bottle holders and ice buckets paired with glass liners or wooden bases.
Makers utilised traditional forms like ship's lantern ice buckets and triple drinks carts, alongside simpler coasters in pairs. Each item reflects the social dining habits of its respective period, from grand Victorian dinners to mid-century cocktail hours.
How they were made
Makers combined silver plate or Old Sheffield plate with structural materials such as wood, oak, and metal frames. Cut glass and cut crystal liners appear frequently inside ice buckets and coolers, providing a waterproof vessel for ice and bottles.
The manufacturing process involved plating base metals with a thin layer of silver, sometimes executed by notable firms using specialised Birmingham or Edinburgh techniques. Wooden components like mahogany and oak were turned and fitted with metal rims to support glass decanters.
Listings feature items from the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian eras, alongside mid-century designs.
What varies in quality
Quality rests on the integrity of the silver plating over the underlying base metal, alongside the clarity and weight of the cut glass or crystal liners. Heavier gauges of silver plate and robust joinery between wood and metal indicate superior construction.
The refinement of decorative detailing, such as cast mounts and pierced galleries on coasters, separates standard production items from those produced by recognised makers and silversmiths.
PH Vogel·Brook & Son·James Dixon & Sons·Lino Sabatinni For Christofle / Gallia
The Silver Plated Wine Accessory Glossary
- Silver Plate
- A thin layer of silver bonded to a base metal, commonly utilised in tableware and barware to provide the appearance and lustre of solid silver at a lower cost.
- Old Sheffield Plate
- An early composite material made by fusing a sheet of silver to a copper core, characteristic of pieces produced before electroplating became common.
- Wine Coaster
- A small, portable tray or stand, often featuring a turned wooden base and a silver plated rim, designed to hold a bottle and protect the table surface.
- Ice Bucket
- A container used for holding ice, frequently fitted with a cut glass or ceramic creamware liner and sometimes accompanied by tongs.
Silver Plated Wine Accessory: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a wine coaster used for?
A wine coaster holds a wine bottle or decanter on the dining table, catching drips and preventing moisture or scratches from marking polished wood surfaces.
They are easily passed around the table during dinner service, allowing guests to help themselves to wine while keeping the tabletop protected.
How do I care for silver plate?
Clean silver plate gently using a soft cloth and a specialised silver polish formulated to avoid stripping the plated surface.
Avoid abrasive materials and harsh chemical immersion, and ensure wooden or glass components are dried thoroughly after washing.
What periods do these pieces cover?
The pieces span multiple eras, including Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, and mid-century modern designs from the twentieth century.
Each period introduces distinct stylistic traits, ranging from traditional English tablewares to geometric Art Deco barware.
Are ice buckets lined with glass?
Many ice buckets feature removable cut glass, crystal, or ceramic creamware liners designed to hold ice safely inside the metal framework.
These liners lift out easily for cleaning and emptying after use, protecting the outer silver-plated bucket from direct moisture.