Miller Brothers | Sterling Silver Serviette Ring | Pierced Quatrefoil Lattice | Birmingham, c.1900–1920

Miller Brothers | Sterling Silver Serviette Ring | Pierced Quatrefoil Lattice | Birmingham, c.1900–1920

A waisted silver napkin ring, pierced all round with a Gothic-style lattice of pointed arches and quatrefoils.

This sterling silver serviette ring narrows gently at the waist and flares to a plain moulded rim at each end. The band between the rims is pierced right round with a repeating Gothic-style lattice of pointed arches, joined by small four-lobed quatrefoil openings, giving a lace-like openwork pattern.

It is marked “M.BROS” for Miller Brothers, together with the Birmingham anchor and the lion passant for sterling silver. The firm was founded in the 1870s by the Miller brothers, and its marks are recorded on Birmingham-hallmarked silver from the 1890s to about 1919. The date letter is worn beyond reading, so the ring is dated from the maker’s recorded marks to about 1900–1920.

It is in excellent condition, with the piercing intact and no dents, splits or repairs. The marks are slightly rubbed, the date letter most of all.

Key Details

• Maker: Miller Brothers (“M.BROS”), hallmarked at Birmingham
• Material: sterling silver
• Hallmarks: maker’s mark, Birmingham anchor, date letter (rubbed), lion passant
• Decoration: pierced Gothic-style lattice with quatrefoil motifs, between plain moulded rims
• Height: 2.8 cm
• Diameter: 4.6 cm
• Weight: 17 g
• Date: c.1900–1920 (from the maker’s mark; date letter unreadable)
• Condition: excellent; marks slightly rubbed

Collector Appeal

The pierced lattice gives this serviette ring an open, lace-like lightness. Its waisted shape and repeating quatrefoils make it a change from the more familiar plain or engraved napkin ring.

Gothic arches and quatrefoils, cut in silver for the dinner table.