Robert Garrard (II) George IV English Sterling Silver Wine Coasters, London, 1829/30

Of shaped circular form, this fine pair of wine coasters has an applied border of boldly cast grapes and grape leaf decoration along with scrolling classical foliate designs. Each has a central boss in the base engraved with an armorial crest of the bust of a bearded male wearing a ducal coronet. This is a common crest borne by many families including Churchill.

Underneath they are covered with leather rather than the more typical felt. We have only had this once before on a wine coaster by Paul Storr and we believe this to be the original underliner (unlike felt which is always replaced). Although worn, the leather is still functional and we have chosen to leave it.

Robert Garrard (II) succeeded his father of the same name in 1818 and was one of the most important silversmiths of his era. Tracing the firms roots back to 1721, they had served as the silversmith to several members of the royal family. Ultimately becoming the crown jeweler in 1843, they were one of the most significant 19th century silversmithing firms in the world and their silver graced the tables and palaces of many European noble families.

These wonderful sterling wine coasters are fully marked along the edge of the bases and marked with the lion passant and Garrard's maker's mark on the center bosses. They measure 7 inches in diameter and (it is impossible to weigh them without removing the bases) made of the heavy gauge silver typical of the quality of Garrard's shop. They and are in very good/ excellent crisp antique condition with minor unevenness and minor roughness to the wood around the central boss. (This is visible in the photo of the boss.)