A handmade hallmarked sterling silver bottle coaster with a mahogany base. Generally speaking, a silver coaster is used for containing decanters, bottles or glasses, thus protecting your highly polished table from liquid stains or scratches.

The designs fall into 2 main categories, reproduction and contemporary.

The reproduction selection consists of a variety of designs from different periods of history and are part of the JA Campbell 'Classic' collection. The reproduction designs all have a mahogany base with a silver centre button and green baize underneath. This particular design has a reeded edge decoration. The silver button in the centre is particularly well suited for engraving.

For those interested in how we make this range of 3 coasters, (bottle, decanter and ships), the method is the same for all 3. They have the same components of different sizes; the outer body, the central engraving button, the mahogany base and green baize.

The main body: this is made the 'spinning' method from a silver washer. This is an ancient process of making round, hollow objects from sheet metal, in this case silver. This process is not unique to the silversmith and is used in other industries. Saucepans and lighting reflectors are often made using this method.

Using a spinning lathe, a preformed shape or 'chuck' - as it is known-  is screwed to the mandrill of the lathe and a sheet metal blank or disc is clamped to it. While it is rotating (and using a spinning tool) the silver is 'spun' (forced/wrapped) over the chuck until it fits snuggly. The 'spinning' tool is a highly polished steel burnisher fitted into a long wooden handle which the silversmith tucks under his arm and uses his body weight and leverage to move the metal.

On completion of Stage 1, the decorative lines near the base are pushed into the surface using the sharp part of the tool. Also at this stage the sides are pre-polished before forming the top wire. Stage 2: the flange from which the first stage spinning was driven is cut out. Stage 3: the chuck has its top part removed to allow the top of the coaster to overhang. This is spun out at right angles to the main body. Stage 4: the right-angled flange is now spun back on itself to begin the formation of the hollow top wire. Stage 5: the coaster is held on a wooden chuck and the hollow wire closed. Three decorative lines (reed) are now turned into the surface, using a sharp steel tool. The main body is now finished.

The silver engraving centre button: this is a small silver disc which is first domed in a press and then has a small casting (to hold it into the mahogany base) soldered to the back.

At this stage the article is punched with the John Campbell makers mark (JAC in a triangle) then taken to the London Assay Office to be scraped and tested. Once a positive result has been received from the laboratory confirming that the article has been made with metal at least 92.5% pure silver, the remaining hallmarks are punched into the surface. This independent hallmarking process began in the 1400s and is one of the world's oldest and most secure forms of consumer protection.

Upon return to the workshop, the coaster is now polished inside and out using 4 different grades of compound until it has the high lustre associated with silver. It is punched with the JA Campbell name punch and ultrasonically cleaned.

The mahogany base: this we make ourselves in-house from sawn mahogany which we store here for several months to ensure it is completely dry and then plane down to ½" thickness. It is then cut into discs, drilled and fitted onto the lathe and turned to fit and then has decorative lines turned into the surface. A slot is turned into the back to hold the baize in place. The base is polished using 3 grades of compound until smooth and shiny. Again on the lathe, the mahogany base is lapped into the now finished coaster by spinning the edge over the wood. The button which has also been polished is pressed into the centre recess and the baize pushed into its slot which tightens its surface. This is used to prevent scratches to furniture. Last but not least, the completed coasters are fitted into presentation boxes.

Bottle stands and decanter stands, - usually known as wine coasters - were frequent drinking accessories from the 1770s onwards. Today their main use is to protect the furniture surface from scratches and drips.

These silver bottle coasters would make a perfect gift for any occasion, from a birthday to a wedding to a corporate gift or sports award. You can be assured that all JA Campbell products are made up to a standard, not down to a price.