Exceptional Figural Napkin Ring on Reticulated Wheels - Victorian

Antiques : Accessories : Figural Napkin Rings, Silver

 

A bearded Billy Goat pulls a Chariot on reticulated wheels holding this pretty napkin ring.

No Victorian home would have set a table without napkin rings, but these special pieces exhibited their love for fabulous miniature forms related to nature. Sometimes, each member of the family, or regular guest was assigned his or her own personal ring chosen perhaps to suit their particular interest. It made for fun and fabulous table settings while serving a more practical purpose - insuring identification of one's own napkin for re-use so that germs were not spread!

For the most part these clever figural napkin rings were made of especially heavy silver plate (not sterling), often on a base of Britannia silver. They were primarily produced in The USA and Canada and exported world over. Some were signed - and more were not. Reproductions today are readily found, but lack the character of these early pieces.

This piece is particularly large measuring 4.75" long from the nose of the Goat to the end of the ring. It stands 3.5" tall and the napkin ring itself is 1.25" wide. The wheels move freely and what fun it will be to have a youngster (or a playful gentleman) wheeling it about his place setting!

CONDITION: Very fine antique condition with very slight, age related loss of silver. No dints or repairs to note. No signature. The goat & wagon are well proportioned and beautifully detailed. The napkin ring itself is engraved. Weighing in at 152.5 grams, he will not be tipping over! A lovely example from the late Victorian period.

* Note. This has been cleaned sufficiently to photograph with detail, but not polished to a high shine.

A fabulous piece to add to any collection - and if you're just beginning to collect these figural pieces - this would be starting at the top!

Item ID: R1332