Victorian Meriden Britannia Aesthetic-Style Silverplate Napkin Ring — Engraved, c. 1880

An elegant piece of American silverplate history — this napkin ring was crafted by the Meriden Britannia Company in the late 19th century, at the height of the Victorian Aesthetic Movement. The hand-engraved botanical motif and diamond-border cartouche embody the 19th-century fascination with natural forms and Japanese-influenced design.

Made from durable silverplate, this napkin ring was built to grace a refined dining table, destined for fine linens and candlelit dinners. Over a century later, it remains deeply atmospheric — a quietly beautiful relic from a time when table settings were artful and considered.

Details

• Maker: Meriden Britannia Company (Meriden, CT)
• Era: Late Victorian, c. 1875–1895
• Material: Silverplate
• Decoration: Hand-engraved botanical motif, framed cartouche
• Markings: Meriden “M” hallmark + model number “130”
• Condition: Antique patina appropriate to age, engraving crisp and intact

This ring is equally beautiful as a single display piece, part of a vintage silverware collection, or styled in a tablescape alongside heirloom china and linens.