Antique Wood & Hughes Coin Silver Napkin Ring, Unique Log Shape

Description

Antique Wood & Hughes Coin Silver Napkin Ring, Unique Log Shape
Antique Wood & Hughes Coin Silver Napkin Ring, Unique Log Shape
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Description
Antique Wood & Hughes Coin Silver Napkin Ring, Unique Log Shape
Wood & Hughes, the maker of this stunning napkin ring, was in business from 1845-1899. Both founders of Wood & Hughes had worked for the Gale Company. The Gale company and Wood & Hughes had become the largest manufacturers of silverware in America by the time of the 1855 New York state census, where Wood & Hughes was listed as having 105 workers.
The style of this napkin ring is from the Aesthetic Period. Because this napkin ring is coin silver, it dates a bit earlier than 1870. All the elements of aestheticism are there - naturalism, a nod to the East and asymmetry. The whole napkin ring is textured like a log - complete with stylized knot holes. A beautiful applied bird flies over a graceful flowering branch. . The napkin ring has an oval form with ridged sections. Edge scallops correspond to the sections. Evan the interior of the napkin ring is finished to look like bark. On one side of the ring is a date: Oct. 28/90 so the napkin ring was engraved in 1890. There is a three letter monogram on the other side. Deep inside are the marks (shown in one of the pictures): "W&H" the number 381 and "S". The ring is 2 inches wide and the diameter opening is 2.25 inches the longest way and 1.5 inches the shortest way. It is quite heavy at 69.2 grams (2.44 ounces). This is a remarkable napkin ring. You are unlikely to find another like it.
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