Mid-Century English Sterling Silver Fluted Wine Coaster Rim (Missing Base)
Hollowware (Wine Coaster part / Bottle Slide) · Unknown English Silversmith (Pattern indicates 20th-century Birmingham or Sheffield origin such as Barker Ellis or Roberts & Belk)
Pattern: Vertical Flute and Gadroon (Classic Regency Revival style)
Type
Hollowware (Wine Coaster part / Bottle Slide)
Maker
Unknown English Silversmith (Pattern indicates 20th-century Birmingham or Sheffield origin such as Barker Ellis or Roberts & Belk)
Material
Likely Sterling Silver (.925) or Silver Plate (EPNS). The visual surface texture and oxidation pattern suggest a silver-plated base metal (Nickel Silver) with significant plating loss, though high-end sterling versions exist.
Dimensions
Estimated diameter: 5.5 to 6 inches (14-15 cm). Inner diameter: approx 4 inches. Weight: 80-120 grams (lightweight due to missing base).
Description
This item is the metallic rim and gallery of a traditional wine coaster. It features a broad, fluted shoulder that tapers into a flat inner collar. The original wooden base, which would have been felted on the bottom and held in place by the silver tabs of the collar, is missing. These pieces were essential for formal dining to prevent condensation and wine stains on polished mahogany tables.
Key Features
Vertical fluting, wide circular form, missing internal base, specific oxidation/pitting consistent with silver-over-base-metal construction.
Material & Composition
Likely Sterling Silver (.925) or Silver Plate (EPNS). The visual surface texture and oxidation pattern suggest a silver-plated base metal (Nickel Silver) with significant plating loss, though high-end sterling versions exist.
Finish & Decoration
Machine-pressed vertical fluting on the rim with a flat interior flange. The finish exhibits heavy oxidation, surface pitting, and a matte grey patina characteristic of degraded plating.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Not visible in provided image; would traditionally be found on the outer edge or the flat interior flange. Likely bears English hallmarks (Lion Passant, Anchor/Crown, Maker's mark) if sterling, or 'EPNS' if plated.
Construction Details
Machine-pressed or die-struck from a single sheet of metal. This is the metallic surround only; it is missing its original turned wood (usually mahogany or oak) base and central silver 'boss' or button.
Functional Features
Designed to slide over a wooden base to protect table surfaces from wine drips and 'rings.' The fluting provides structural rigidity and aesthetic appeal.
Handle & Grip Details
None present; the rim is designed to be gripped by the vertical sides when moved.
Craftsmanship Details
Commercial grade manufacturing; uniform fluting suggests a mechanical press rather than hand-chasing. The inner edge appears roughly finished where it would have been tucked under a wooden base.
Authentication Indicators
The design is a standard industry pattern used by Sheffield makers. The lack of visible hallmarks in a primary position often reinforces a silver-plated identification, as sterling pieces usually display prominent assay marks near the decoration.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely United Kingdom (Sheffield or Birmingham manufacturing tradition).
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (c. 1950-1970) in the Regency Revival style.
Age Estimate
Circa 1960. The crispness of the fluting and the specific wear patterns suggest a mass-produced mid-century piece.
Cultural Significance
Represents the post-war revival of formal British dining customs and the desire for traditional Georgian-style table settings in middle-class homes.
Condition Notes
Poor Condition. The item is incomplete (missing the wooden base). The surface shows significant pitting, dark sulfide tarnish, and possible 'bleed-through' of the base metal. Structure is slightly warped.
Value Estimate
$5.00 - $15.00 USD. As an incomplete and damaged piece of likely silver plate, the value is decorative or for replacement parts only. If sterling, value would be based on melt weight (approx. $50-$70).
Care & Maintenance
Requires deep cleaning with a non-abrasive silver foam. If the plating is gone, it will not return to a bright shine. Store away from humidity to prevent further pitting of the base metal.
Similar Pieces
Barker Ellis wine coasters (which typically have a decorative gadroon top edge), Gorham sterling coasters (usually solid silver with glass liners).
Interesting Facts
Wine coasters were frequently sold in pairs or sets of four. When the wood base dries out and shrinks over decades, the silver rims often come loose and are lost or sold separately as scrap metal.