FABULOUS ENGLISH HOTEL SILVER WINE COASTER MADE IN 1 (01/18/2011)...

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FABULOUS ENGLISH HOTEL SILVER WINE COASTER MADE IN 1857

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FABULOUS ENGLISH HOTEL SILVER WINE COASTER MADE IN 1857

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Sold Date: 01/18/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Advertising

Gorgeous Hotel Silver Wine Coaster with Logo - 154 Years Old!

By Historic Silversmith Elkington, Mason & Co in 1857 - Less Than 20 Years After They Invented Electroplating

Up for bids is a stunning piece of hotel silver that was made in England back in 1857. The design is simply fabulous, very flower-like, comprised of undulating petals and little peas in pods, all surrounding a mirror-like center that shows off the hotel silver logo. The engraved center logo is quite detailed, with different patterns inside each of the letters, 'B' and 'L' entwined. Perhaps this piece came from a hotel in London, such as the London Bridge Hotel a.k.a. Bridge House Hotel (it existed in London in 1857), or a hotel in Bath or Brighton in the south of England. What a fabulous addition to your table this will make, either for wine, or to serve as the foundation for your centerpiece!

This wine coaster was made by the very famous silversmith, Elkington, Mason & Co., later known as Elkington & Co. Elkington's fame is worldwide, especially as the company invented electroplating ca. 1838 and licensed their patents to other makers, such as Christofle. This piece is hand-crafted, and there are some tiny marks on the underside edge that might be the artist's initials or mark, with an 's' stamped nearby. The more I look at the workmanship of the piece, the more I think it may be quite important to the silverplating history. This wine coaster measures about 7-1/2" in diameter rim-to-rim, nearly 3/4" high, and the flat center measures about 4-1/8" in diameter. It is in super condition for its age, with lovely silvering that shows light nicks, scratches and wear on the flower-like rim design, and some heavier scratches in the center where the wine bottle would rest. The structure of this wine coaster is excellent; the pedestal is firmly attached, and it sits flat on the table with just a smidge of a wiggle when it is pushed. On the inside of the pedestal you can see where solder was applied all the way around, perhaps to give it more weight - this is not visible when displayed. This piece, miraculously, has no dents. Please look at the pictures so you can assess the condition for yourself, and eBay message me with any questions.

Marked on the top edge:

crown symbol over 'EM&Co' in a shield 'E' 'M' '&Co' (each in its own cartouche) 'S' in a diamond (datemark for 1857); and '4134' is marked on the underside center piece edge

ELKINGTON

(Above: Cup from the Victoria Museum , Melbourne Australia : " This silver rose bowl was made by Elkington & Company, London , in 1900. It was presented by the the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York to Commodore Alfred L. Winsloe of the Royal Navy in 1901. In 1901 The Duke and Duchess travelled to Australia and New Zealand aboard the HMS Ophir and visited all States over an 11 week period. To mark their voyage on the Ophir, they presented its captain, Commodore Alfred L. Winsloe, with three items of silverware, suitably inscribed. The reason for their tour was to open the first Commonwealth parliament of Australia on 9 May 1901." )

Elkington originated silver-plating. In 1868, Queen Victoria permitted much of the royal silver to be copied by Elkington. Later, several of the royal families of Europe had Elkington make copies of their own national objects. For excellence in artistic quality and fine design Elkington received the highest possible awards at the Great International Exhibitions. Elkington & Co was also awarded the Legion d'Honneur of the French Republic and holds Royal Warrants to their late Majesties Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra, King George V, Queen Mary and King George VI, as well as the Duke of Windsor (formerly King Edward VIII) and H.R.H. the late Princess Christian and their late majesties the King of Spain and King of Italy. Elkington has provided silver and silverplated items to ships, railroads, hotels, and more. For example, Elkington has provided ship silver to Cunard, and much of the railroad silver for t...