Antique silver plate wine coasters and bottle stands

Coasters were intended to hold bottles or decanters of wine at the dinner table, and act as a recepticle to cash drips and ribbles on the foot of the wine container. As wine contains achohol, and residual liquid remaining on the base could damage the top of the table, more so if the table had a French polished surface. if the table had a cloth, the wine could leave a permanent stain.

On a table without a cloth, the felt base also allowed them to be slid from one guest to the next along the top of the table.

Made of silver or silverplate, they usually have a turned hardwood base, sometimes with a central silver boss, and usually covered in green baize on bottom.

The sides are usually cast or pierced, often with vine leaves, grapes and tendrils incororated into the design.

It is quite common for them to more... be available in pairs less...