SilverCollect Blog » Holloware / Tableware

Elegant Table Silverware: Latest Designs for 1892

SilverCollect — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 00:28:30 +0000

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:Â 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.

Victorian Figural Napkin Rings

silver — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 05:07:20 +0000

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.

Below are silver manufacturer catalog images of silverplate and sterling figural napkin rings.

Below Left: Goat pulling a cart silverplate napkin ring. Right: Child with butterfly silverplate napkin ring.

Below Left: Children with chair silverplate napkin ring. It is not immediately obvious this one is a napkin ring. Right: Pair of dogs on either side of this sterling napkin ring.

Below Left: Sterling dog napkin ring. Right: Silverplate ring with girl pulling a cart.

Below Left: Horse and chariot silverplate ring. Right: Boy sterling napkin ring.

Some figural napkin rings, as shown at left, had bud vases attached. The bud base was usually made of enameled glass. Few of these survive.

When I was a child I had my own silver napkin ring, as did my siblings. They were not figural; a bit more modern. Each was a different design and appropriately monogrammed. The napkin rings were gifts from our grandparents who grew up in the late Victorian era and continued to practice most of those traditions throughout their lives. We used our napkin rings daily but I knew of no other family which did the same. Everyone else was either using paper napkins or cloth napkins without a napkin ring. I still have my childhood silver napkin ring but it is on display – never used. Some use napkin rings today moreso for decorative purposes than for function. Victorian children were required to learn how to properly fold a napkin before returning it to rest in the ring.

Adult collectors treasure figural napkin rings but most don’t use them. Some figural napkin rings are extremely desirable. A silverplated cherub napkin ring by Wilcox recently sold for $2,251.

Reed & Barton has a line of Victorian Revival Silverplated Napkin Rings. You can find them here for about $30 each. These are new designs, not reproductions of the original figural rings.

Silversmith Jim Mackie of Art Craft Silversmiths in Portland, Oregon creates replicas of the originals. Visit his web site to see the exquisite collection here.

Vintage Flatware Napkin Rings

SilverCollect — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 20:09:27 +0000

Napkin rings made from repurposed silverware

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.

Here is a set of 4 napkin rings expertly crafted from antique and vintage silverplate flatware available at Better Homes and Gardens. Each napkin ring is a different flatware pattern adding a little diversity and more interest to your dinner table. Only $14.95 for the set – while supplies last – Free Shipping.

I also found this ornate silverplate 3-piece serving set in a classic Kings style pattern, also at Better Homes and Gardens. It comes in a black velvet lined box. Reduced from $29.95 – NOW $14.98 while supplies last. Free Shipping.

As we find great deals on products from other sites that we think our readers might be interested in, we’ll post them here on our blog from time to time. Keep watching for more shopping deals and ideas for holiday gifts, dining and entertaining!