An exceptional and highly collectible pair of George IV sterling silver decanter labels (bottle tickets) by the celebrated London silversmithing partnership of Charles Reily & George Storer. Assayed in London in 1828, this matching pair exemplifies the finest traditions of naturalistic Georgian barware.
Each ticket is masterfully die-stamped in the form of a realistically textured grape vine leaf, intricately adorned with clusters of grapes and curling tendrils. The names "HOCK" and "CLARET" are meticulously hand-pierced through the center of each plate. Crucially, the "HOCK" label retains its original, vibrant vermeil (gold-gilt) finish—a traditional technique used to protect the silver from the acidity of German white wines while mirroring its golden hue. The "CLARET" label features a beautifully preserved, deep natural patina.
Both pieces display a crisp, fully matching vertical run of hallmarks to the lower front lobe, including the Maker's Mark ("CR/GS"), the Lion Passant, the London Leopard's Head, the sovereign's duty mark of King George IV, and the precise lowercase Gothic "n" date letter for 1828. Suspended from their original, hand-soldered ring-link chains, this rare, unbroken pair offers a magnificent addition for the discerning silver collector or connoisseur of fine antique wine accoutrements.
Size: 2 5/8" H x 3 1/2" W, each
1828, London
An exceptional and highly collectible pair of George IV sterling silver decanter labels (bottle tickets) by the celebrated London silversmithing partnership of Charles Reily & George Storer. Assayed in London in 1828, this matching pair exemplifies the finest traditions of naturalistic Georgian barware.
Each ticket is masterfully die-stamped in the form of a realistically textured grape vine leaf, intricately adorned with clusters of grapes and curling tendrils. The names "HOCK" and "CLARET" are meticulously hand-pierced through the center of each plate. Crucially, the "HOCK" label retains its original, vibrant vermeil (gold-gilt) finish—a traditional technique used to protect the silver from the acidity of German white wines while mirroring its golden hue. The "CLARET" label features a beautifully preserved, deep natural patina.
Both pieces display a crisp, fully matching vertical run of hallmarks to the lower front lobe, including the Maker's Mark ("CR/GS"), the Lion Passant, the London Leopard's Head, the sovereign's duty mark of King George IV, and the precise lowercase Gothic "n" date letter for 1828. Suspended from their original, hand-soldered ring-link chains, this rare, unbroken pair offers a magnificent addition for the discerning silver collector or connoisseur of fine antique wine accoutrements.
Size: 2 5/8" H x 3 1/2" W, each
1828, London
