Antique Silver Wine Coasters
Also called bottle coasters or wine slides — pierced silver holders that let a bottle or decanter glide along the polished table and protect it from drips. Often made in pairs and sets. A guide to identifying, dating, valuing and selling antique silver wine coasters in the UK.
What Are Your Silver Wine Coasters Worth?
Send a photo — including the marks on the rim — and we'll value them free, with no obligation. We reply within one working day.
A silver wine coaster let the host slide a bottle or decanter around the dining table without scratching the polished wood or leaving a ring. With their pierced silver galleries and turned wooden bases, made in pairs and grand sets, they are among the most decorative pieces of Georgian and Victorian wine silver — and pairs by good makers carry real value.
Silver wine coasters: what they are
A wine coaster (bottle coaster or wine slide) is a low circular holder with a pierced or chased silver gallery and a turned wooden base, often baize-lined underneath so it slides smoothly. They protected the table from drips and allowed the decanter to be passed. Made from the mid-18th century, typically in pairs or sets of four; named makers, fine piercing and the survival of original bases all affect value.
What collectors look for
Pairs & sets
Matched pairs and sets of four are far more desirable and valuable than singles.
Named makers
Paul Storr and noted Georgian makers carry a strong premium; check the rim marks.
Fine piercing
Crisp pierced or richly chased galleries and gadrooned rims over plain bands.
Original base
Sound, original turned wooden base with its silver boss, no splits or replacement.
What are antique silver wine coasters worth?
Value depends most on maker, date and whether they are pairs or sets:
Indicative only — your coasters depend on maker, hallmark date, pair/set and condition. Send a photo for a free, accurate valuation.
What Determines Value
The factors we assess on silver wine coasters:
- Pair or set — Matched pairs and sets of four over singles.
- Maker — Paul Storr and noted makers over unmarked pieces.
- Date — Georgian examples most collected; the hallmark dates it.
- Piercing & weight — Crisp galleries, heavy gauge, gadrooned rims.
- Base — Original sound wooden base with its silver boss.
- Condition — No splits, pushes, repairs or worn piercing.
Marks are on the silver rim or boss — look for the lion passant for sterling. Plate is marked EPNS.
How to identify and date your wine coasters
Look on the silver rim (and the boss under the base) for the lion passant (sterling), town mark, date letter and maker's mark — on a pair, both should match. Plated coasters stamped EPNS are worth far less; see our EPNS vs sterling silver guide. The date letter dates them — use our how to read silver hallmarks guide. The pierced sides mean a coaster's silver weight is modest, so maker, pairs and quality matter more than the metal value in the silver price valuation guide.
Wine coasters belong with the rest of the wine and drinking silver. See our guides to claret jugs, wine funnels and wine labels. When you're ready to sell, visit sell your silver.
Value Your Wine Coasters
Send photographs of the coasters and the marks on the rim, and we'll give you an honest, no-obligation valuation.
⚠️ Strictly by appointment only — no walk-ins at either showroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Antique silver wine coasters — common questions.
What is a silver wine coaster?
A low circular holder with a pierced silver gallery and a turned wooden base, used to slide a wine bottle or decanter around the table and protect the polished surface. Made from the mid-18th century, usually in pairs.
How much are antique silver wine coasters worth?
From a modest sum for a plain single up to a strong premium for Georgian pairs, named-maker examples and sets of four. Maker, date, whether they are pairs and condition decide. Send a photo for a free valuation.
Why do they have wooden bases?
The turned wooden base, usually baize-lined underneath, let the coaster slide smoothly across the table and protected the surface. A sound, original base with its silver boss supports value.
Are pairs worth more than singles?
Yes, significantly. Coasters were made in pairs and sets, so a matched pair or a set of four is far more desirable and valuable than a single coaster.
How do I tell sterling from plate?
Look for the lion passant hallmark on the silver rim. Plated coasters are marked EPNS or A1 and worth far less. Send a photo of the marks and we'll confirm.
Where can I sell antique silver wine coasters in the UK?
Mozeris Fine Antiques are specialist silver buyers with showrooms in Mayfair, London and Braintree, Essex. We offer free, no-obligation valuations — send photos or visit by appointment.
Send Us Your Photographs
Attach photos of the coasters and the marks on the rim. We'll respond within one working day.