Coaster
1820-1821 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Coasters were in popular use by the 1750s. They were invented to enable guests to slide decanters or wine bottles across the table without scratching the surface. They had baize covered or polished wooden bases. Later versions sometimes had wheels. Coasters also served to catch drips which might stain the table.
Gentlemen could not drink freely or at least as much as they wished until the end of the meal when the ladies had withdrawn to take tea or coffee in the drawing room. The butler laid out the appropriate glasses in front of each guest, and the decanters, on coasters, were then placed before the master of the house to be passed around in an informal and relaxed atmosphere.
Gentlemen could not drink freely or at least as much as they wished until the end of the meal when the ladies had withdrawn to take tea or coffee in the drawing room. The butler laid out the appropriate glasses in front of each guest, and the decanters, on coasters, were then placed before the master of the house to be passed around in an informal and relaxed atmosphere.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, embossed and engraved on a turned wooden base |
| Brief description | Silver on a wooden base, Sheffield hallmarks for 1820-21 |
| Physical description | Turned wooden base set with a central silver medallion engraved with a crest, bulging sides heavily embossed with flowers and foliage; projecting rim with acanthus moulding |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | R.J. Dyson Bequest |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Coasters were in popular use by the 1750s. They were invented to enable guests to slide decanters or wine bottles across the table without scratching the surface. They had baize covered or polished wooden bases. Later versions sometimes had wheels. Coasters also served to catch drips which might stain the table. Gentlemen could not drink freely or at least as much as they wished until the end of the meal when the ladies had withdrawn to take tea or coffee in the drawing room. The butler laid out the appropriate glasses in front of each guest, and the decanters, on coasters, were then placed before the master of the house to be passed around in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.26A-1943 |
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| Record created | June 4, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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