Beer Coaster
Material: Brass, oak and leather
Dimensions: Length: 67cm / 26 ½in, Maximum width: 22.5cm / 9in
Place of Origin: England
Date: Early 19th century
Maker or Retailer: Unknown
Present Location: Private collection
Explanation:
This large, waisted beer coaster has an oak base with a sheet brass gallery and stands on brass and leather castors. Set into the base are five brass discs numbered I to V in Roman numerals. The coaster was probably used in a hostelry and could be carried as a tray by the waiter or pot-boy. The numbered discs made it possible to keep track of each customer’s mug or glass. The castors enabled the coaster to be moved along the table. A similar, rather smaller coaster is illustrated by Gentle and Feild.
Reference:
- Rupert Gentle & Rachael Feild, Domestic Metalwork 1640 – 1820, 2nd edition revised by Belinda Gentle, Antique Collectors’ Club, Woodbridge, Suffolk, 1994, ISBN 1851491872, p. 270, Figure 1.
