Coaster
1779-1780 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This silver coaster has a mahogany base. 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 also served to catch drips which might stain the table. Coasters had baize-covered or polished wooden bases (like this one), and later versions sometimes had wheels.
Gentlemen could not drink freely, or at least as much as they wished, until the end of the meal when the ladies had withdrawn to take tea or coffee in the drawing room.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. He placed the decanters, on coasters, 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Gentlemen could not drink freely, or at least as much as they wished, until the end of the meal when the ladies had withdrawn to take tea or coffee in the drawing room.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. He placed the decanters, on coasters, 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 with a mahogany base |
| Brief description | Silver, mark ISH, London hallmarks for 1799-80 |
| Physical description | Coaster, from a set of four. Silver, pierced and engraved with turned wood bottoms. Piercing of vertical slits and vases between foliage borders, pearled wavy edge. An oval plate with the initials ISH added to each. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | COASTER OR DECANTER STAND
London, 1779-80
Mark illegible
Engraved with initials ISH. These protected the table from stains. Charles Kent ordered "four pierced silver bottle stands" from Parker and Wakelin in 1772 for £4 (s !d. In addition he was charges for "making mahogany bottoms" at 22s each.
Miss M.B.Hudson Bequest.
M.393A-1922 |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Miss M. B. Hudson |
| Object history | Bequest - Miss M B Hudson Acquisition RF: 22 / 7200 |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This silver coaster has a mahogany base. 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 also served to catch drips which might stain the table. Coasters had baize-covered or polished wooden bases (like this one), and later versions sometimes had wheels. 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. He placed the decanters, on coasters, before the master of the house to be passed around in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.393-1922 |
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| Record created | June 19, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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