Pair Of Edwardian Sterling Silver Christmas Napkin Rings, Sheffield, 1909

  

This is a beautiful Cased Pair of Edwardian Sterling Silver Christmas Napkin Rings. The napkin rings are circular with rolled ribbed rims.

The deep bodies are engraved with a design of stars, baubles and curling foliage, perfect for the Christmas dining table. There are no initials or personalisation of any kind. The black leather covered case has brass clasps and is lined with white satin. The napkin rings were made in Sheffield by silversmiths Martin, Hall & Co and date to 1909. The firm was founded by Richard Martin and brothers Ebenezer & Joshua Hall in 1854 as the successor to Roberts & Hall, in which Ebenezer had been a partner. The company manufactured in Sheffield and had showrooms in London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Sydney, Australia. They participated in many international exhibitions and won a number of awards. The firm went into decline with the economic downturn of the 1930s and had ceased trading by 1936.

Condition is very good, with no dings or dents and just the most minimal superficial surface wear. It would seem that these were probably kept for use just at the festive season. The case is also in good condition with just a couple of very minor scuff marks.

The hinges and clasps are in good working order. Please make sure to view all the photographs as these form part of the description. Each napkin ring is 4.7cm / 1.8ins in diameter and 2.8cm / 1.1ins deep.

The pair together, uncased, weigh in at a very respectable 57.4g / 2oz of solid Sterling Silver. The hallmarks, on the sides of the bodies, are well struck and clear to read. They show the lion passant for Sterling Silver, the crown assay mark for Sheffield, the date letter r for 1909 and the R M over E H makers' mark for Richard Martin and Ebenezer Hall of Martin, Hall & Co.