Decanter Stands or Coasters.—This is a great family. At first glance it would not seem that there was much room for variation in articles designed for so simple an object as holding a bottle or a decanter and preventing it staining the polished mahogany table. But an examination of various types shows how inventive was the Sheffield designer in producing original shapes of great diversity of character.
In regard to ornament they received the elaborate attention of the piercer who allowed his designs to attain a rich quality only excelled by the dish rings to which reference is made later. They were circular, they had broken tops with flowing curves, or they were octagonal. They had richly gadrooned edges or fine bead-work, or in some examples they had four handles reminiscent of decorative ornament of an earlier period.
OLD SHEFFIELD PLATED COASTERS.
Finely chased and pierced. Threaded and plain edges. Date about 1790.
(In the collection of B. B. Harrison, Esq.)
Pierced and chased with bead edges and shaped top. Date about 1785.
(In the collection of B. B. Harrison, Esq.)
