What is a bottle ticket?

A bottle ticket is a small silver label hung from the neck of a decanter to identify the wine or spirit inside. They serve both a practical purpose at the dining table and act as decorative items of silverware.

How were decanter labels used?

They were suspended around the necks of glass decanters using chains or small rings. This allowed guests and hosts to easily distinguish between similar red and white wines or fortified spirits.

How do I date an antique silver ticket?

Dating relies heavily on reading the hallmarks stamped onto the silver, which indicate the assay office and the year letter. Stylistic elements, such as Georgian escutcheon shapes or Victorian vine leaf motifs, also provide strong clues to the period of manufacture.

Are these labels sold with chains?

Many listings include the original or matching silver chain used to hang the ticket around the decanter neck. Some pieces appear on their own, allowing owners to source a compatible chain separately.