Reported as the latest styles and designs for silver tableware in December 1892.

Shown in this antique ad: Handsome silverware in the latest styles and designs, coin silver plated. Five Bottle Revolving Dinner Caster: Height 15 inches. Engraved rim; handsomely ornamented handle. Handsome bottles with silver-plated caps. Pickle Caster: Height 11 inches. Width at base 4 1/2 inches. Glass bowl with plated cover, finished in polished silver. Base handsomely engraved and finished in polished silver. Sugar Bowl: Height 10 inches. Width at base 6 inches. Glass bowl with silver-plated cover, elegantly engraved and finished in satin and polished silver. Handle and feet ornamented. Base in satin and polished silver finish. Butter Dish: Height 7 1/2 inches. Width 6 1/4 inches. Base in polished silver. Cover satin finished with engraved rim and ornamented top. Cake Basket:  Height 11 inches, including handle. Width 9 inches. Handsome stand in polishedand satin finished silver. Bowl in polished silver, elegantly engraved. Berry or Fruit Dish: Height 8 inches. Width of bowl 7 inches. Elegant stand in polished and satin finished silver handsomely ornamented. Glass bowl.

Figural napkin rings originated in the United States and were produced for children of the Victorian era. Victorian children were provided with fun and interesting utensils and silver tableware made just for them. Most 19th century silverware manufacturers produced figural napkin rings which often featured animals and children at play.

Shown at left is a Victorian silverplated napkin ring with cherubs.

Anyone with children knows they aren’t very interested in learning boring table manners and we rarely indulge them with fancy table utensils of their own. Victorians may have been smarter about raising children than we are today. Figural napkin rings must have been very entertaining for the children and also made them eager to learn proper etiquette. And it likely kept the children’s imaginations occupied while the adults discussed uninteresting topics at dinner.

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One of the many new uses for old silverplate flatware is to have pieces fashioned into napkin rings. Often old silverplated flatware is worn on the tines and bowls but the handles are in great shape making them perfect for recycling. Silverplate manufacturers generally did not produce napkin rings to match their flatware patterns so this is a great way to add a nostalgic vintage flair to your table settings.

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What is it and what is it for?

What is commonly referred to today as a bride’s basket was originally called a berry dish and used for fruit. Other names used to describe these silver and glass items were fruit baskets and fruit bowls. Those without overhead handles were fruit stands. The term “bride’s basket” evolved because a fruit or berry bowl with stand was a very popular gift for the bride-to-be in the 19th century.

During the 1880s, fancier glass inserts began to appear, and the styles available were numerous by the 1890s. American silver and silverplate manufacturers used glass inserts produced in both the United States and Europe. The makers they originated from were not meticulously documented by the silver manufacturers as they were more concerned with their silver stands.

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Ralph and Terry Kovel mistakenly reported on May 5, 2006 that the pictured Homan Silver Plate pickle castor sold for $1,650 at Pansy’s Elegant Glass. The article, Unusual Design of Pickle Dish Adds to Market Value, has been reprinted in various newspapers, under various titles, over the past week through King Features Syndicate. A screenshot of the article as published in The Commercial Appeal appears below. [UPDATE: The article has been removed from The Commercial Appeal newspaper web site and does not appear in its archives - scroll down for screenshot of original article.]
Left: Screenshot of the image from the syndicated article. Caption states:

“This castor set looks like a canoe on a silver wagon. It was made by Homan Silver Plate Co. in the 1890s and sold this year by Pansy’s Elegant Glass at RubyLane.com for $1,650.“

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The two-handled, vase style silverplate spoon holder (also known as “spoon goblet”) is uniquely American. Some were made to match silver tea services and were considered necessary to complete the service. Some were not produced to match tea services and sold individually.

Most had pedestal bases and some were produced with 4 feet. The vase shape was popular during the 1850s and 60s. 

Revolving spoon racks became popular in the 1870s. Examples below of a silverplated spoon rack and a double spoon rack.

Also appearing in the 1870s was the combination sugar bowl and spoon rack which became the norm after 1900.

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With ice a rarity and mechanical refrigeration yet to exist, ladies of the Victorian era were tasked with keeping water cooled for their guests. The answer, for those lucky enough to afford it, was the multi-wall silverplate ice pitcher. These multi-walled pitchers were designed to insulate and keep water cooled over longer periods of time. Early ice pitchers had metal, glass or porcelain liners. The liners on these early models had seams which caused corrosion and leaks. These designs were soon replaced with one-piece porcelain liners.

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The dinner castor, or cruet holder, was a very popular table item in the 19th century. It consisted of a silver or silverplate frame which usually held 5 or 6 cruet bottles. Breakfast castors generally contained 3 or 4 bottles. Most dinner castors of the Victorian era were, as you’d expect, very fancy. Some had a call bell on the handle, others had a flower vase and some had a revolving frame. Some castors had a removable bottle rack so that the base could be used as a fruit stand.

Most Cruet bottles were made of plain or engraved glass but could also be purchased in the more expensive cut glass. The majority of cruets were clear glass but some cut glass designs were available in blue, amber and cranberry. Manufacturers offered buyers a choice of handles and cruet styles.

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We’ve been asked to show a few examples of 1936 Coronation holloware by Oneida Community Silver.

In the first image below:

4-Piece Tea and Coffee Set (Tray was sold separately)
Well and Tree Meat platter
Double Vegetable Dish
Gravy Boat and Tray
Water Pitcher

The next image shows the round cake plate with pierced pastry server; and the cold meat tray and fork set.

 See also More on Coronation Holloware and Coronation Flatware

Sterling silver and silverplate cake baskets were fairly common in American households during the latter part of the 19th century. Most were round but some examples of oblong, square and rectangular may still be found today. They were made with short pedestals, tall pedestals and even legs (both short and tall), and most have a hinged, pail-type handle.

Often when silverplate cake baskets are found in original condition, much of the silverplating has worn off. Because of this, prices are generally much less than one might expect, averaging about $20. Even cake baskets with little to no plate wear may be found at very inexpensive prices.

The cost of replating a silver cake basket is approximately $90-100 making it a very reasonable investment. As usual, original condition is best, but if it’s a piece you love but cannot use or display because of poor condition, go for the replating or restoration. Sterling silver cake baskets generally cost a good deal more than silverplate, particularly in excellent original condition. If you have one with dings or other significant imperfections, consider having it restored.

Here are some examples of cake baskets from the original manufacturers’ catalogs, circa 1880-90s.

Above: Pairpoint cake baskets.

Above: E.G. Webster cake baskets.

Above: Reed & Barton cake baskets

As you can see, these beautiful antique silver cake baskets can serve either the original purpose as intended, or as unique decorative displays in American homes today. The uses are limited only to your imagination!

See also Antique Bride’s Baskets

Silver replating and restoration resources:

Senti-Metal Co.
Friedman Silversmiths
More may be found at Association of Restorers