The napkin ring collection was inherited from Mr. Colony’s grandfather, also an avid antique collector.
The collection is comprised of silver-plate pieces, all made in the United States between 1869, when silver plate napkin rings began to be mass produced, to 1900.
The use of napkin rings apparently began in the 19th century and gained popularity in the Victorian era. Napkin rings did not match in Victorian table settings. Each piece was different so you could identify you own napkin. Napkins were always of cloth. For daily meals, you would be given a napkin which you were expected to use for a week, between wash days. Your unique ring made it possilbe to identify your napkin and keep it separate from the rest.
A simple, functional object, the napkin ring was yet another opportunity for Victorian artists to unleash their creativity. Their whimsical designs often became conversation pieces for the dinner table. Figural napkin rings became popular wedding, christening or birthday presents and are now popular with collectors.
Included on this web page is a portion of the museum’s figural napkin ring collection.
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| Bud vase – no maker’s mark |
Dog balancing ring – Simpson Hall Miller & Co. # 216 |
Greyhound balancing ring – no maker’s mark |
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| Swallow-tail bird and
Japanese fan- Derby Silver Co. Derby, CT # 346 |
Two children balancing barrel – Meriden Company # 147 | Chair and ring – no maker’s mark |
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| Tennis player – no maker’s mark | Decorative horse shoes with
jockey hat – Derby Silver Co. Derby, CT # 336 |
Croquet mallets, balls and
wickets – Derby Silver Co. Derby, CT # 302 |
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| Monkey dressed in 18th
century clothes – Meriden Company # 72 |
Girl, doghouse and whippet – Simpson Hall Miller & Co. # 039 | Japanese fan with two
butterflies balancing a ring – Meriden Company # 209 |
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| Double wishbones; engraved
inscription “Best Wishes” – Meriden Company # 636 |
Frog and bee – no maker’s mark |
Barrel and wheelbarrow – no maker’s mark |
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| Book on a rack; engraved inscription “ A L Beecher Class ‘91” |
Calla lilies, bee and turtle – Meriden & Company # 242 |
Man rolling ring – Meriden & Company # 161 |
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