19th Century Silver Hockey Napkin Ring

[Archive]

Posted By: Ben

Everyone has been very helpful with a few other napkin rings I've posted lately so I'm hoping you guys can help me with this one too!

This figural napkin ring was made by Meriden. It features a young boy seated in front of crossed hockey sticks. There is a puck in between both sticks. Just hoping someone could pinpoint a more exact date of manufacture and also provide a value. Thanks in advance!

[Archive]

Posted By: Kyle

The Meriden Britannia Company was formed in 1852 in Meriden, Connecticut. The Rogers Bros firm was purchased by Meriden Britannia in 1862, thereby acquiring the 1847 Rogers Bros line. In 1878, they had a store at Union Square in New York City and a manufacturing facility in West Meriden, CT. According to their 1878 catalogue, the company won a first place medal at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the "large variety of silver plated white metal hollow ware, of excellent quality and finish, and of tasteful designs." They were one of the original companies that joined together to form the International Silver Co. in 1898.

Your item is commonly referred to as a "Victorian SPORT HOCKEY silver FIGURAL NAPKIN RING" circa 1890's. At an antique auction these go in the 25-50usd range. A bit more on Ebay and the like.

Hope this Helps-Always looking to purchase Olt Time Hockey-shoot me an email.....

[Archive]

Posted By: CarltonHendricks

If it weren't for the Meriden mark I'd say it looks like a repro....just doesn't look right to me. I emailed Sandra Whitson for her to take a look, see copy below...some of you may recall Sandra I.D.'d another baseball napkin ring of Leon's a while back. Sandra authored a book on napkin rings and is recogized as an expert in them. Hopefully she'll post soon. -Carlton

Hi Sandra, How are you? Carlton here....someone has posted another napkin ring on Net54....could you please take a look at it via the link below and give your opinion.
Thanks, Carlton

[Archive]

Posted By: Ben

Carlton,

I was the one who posted the very rare baseball napkin ring after Leon had posted a photo of a reproduction football player ring. Sandra was well informed and very helpful regarding my baseball napkin ring. I look forward to hearing her input!

[Archive]

Posted By: Sandra Whitson

Hi - Sandra Whitson checking in. Since I am being talked about, I decided I better respond. And Carlton always persuades me! This is a legit Victorian figural napkin ring. It is very difficult to definitely pinpoint an exact date for a figural napkin ring, as they were only made for about 30 years in American history. But, a safe estimate would be the 1880's - that was the decade of the heyday of American figural napkin rings.
Only problem with this ring is that it originally had four ball feet on the base. They are missing on this example. The person who gave an estimate on this ring is way low.
If complete, this ring should bring about $350.

[Archive]

Posted By: CarltonHendricks

Thanks Sandra, good to know it's real...Ben, Sorry I got my wires crossed and it was the football napkin ring that was the fake. -Carlton

[Archive]

Posted By: Kyle

The rest of my post was cut-sorry computer problems. I clarified my estimates being where they start at at auction, not hammer price... Sorry- about that I won't argue with the expert!! Nice piece anyway...

[Archive]

Posted By: Max Weder

I was just looking through an old Canadians antique guide, and it indicated that Meriden had a Canadian operation in Hamilton, making a number of napkin rings, including several hockey and baseball. Not sure how to tell the difference between a Canadian or US item



Max