Sterling Silver Napkin Rings — over 100 years of styles, from £40 to £200, with over 100 unique antique pieces in stock.
Napkin Rings
Silver napkin rings have been made for well over a hundred years, in a genuinely wide range of decorative styles — engine-turned engraving, highly decorative figural pieces, and simple plain designs all sit within the category. The traditional approach was a matched set of four, six, or twelve identical rings; more recently, taste has shifted toward individual pieces or striking pairs, chosen as a genuine talking point when entertaining rather than pure uniformity. We have over one hundred unique antique pieces in stock, alongside modern sterling silver rings in plainer styles that suit engraving particularly well. Every piece is hallmarked, guaranteeing the silver content under UK law, and a single ring remains one of the most traditional christening gifts there is.
At a Glance
Vintage napkin rings typically run £40-£200
Over 100 unique antique pieces currently in stock
Genuine sets of twelve are hard to find; larger sets can be made to order
Victorian pieces are the most decorative — chased work, engraving, figural designs
Pre-1900 examples are scarce, typically pierced or heavily engraved
A traditional christening gift, and a popular memento gift from older relatives
Style & Maker History
The most highly decorative napkin rings tend to be Victorian — embellished chased work, hand-engraved scenes, and novelty figural designs are all characteristic of the period. Pre-1900 examples are scarce, and where they survive, they’re typically pierced or heavily engraved rather than plain. Through the twentieth century, simpler designs came to the fore, a shift that mirrors what happened across most silver tableware of the period. The traditional dining custom was a full matched set — four, six, or twelve identical rings — though that’s moved more recently toward individual pieces or striking pairs, valued as much for standing out as for matching.
Buyer's Guide
Prices for vintage napkin rings typically run from around £40 to £200. If engraving is part of the plan, a plainer style generally takes it better than a heavily decorated one — and it’s worth checking the area you want engraved isn’t too thin regardless of style. Genuine sets of twelve are particularly hard to find; if you need that many, made-to-order from one of our own silversmiths is usually the more realistic route. Worth deciding early whether you want a uniform matched set or a deliberately individual, mixed look. These also remain a genuinely good gift from an older relative — a memento with more presence than most alternatives at the same price.
A few things to know
Any item which is guaranteed to be over 100 years old.
Sterling Silver is guaranteed by the UK Hallmarking Act. Each piece is independently verified and assayed for the purity of silver content.
Yes, all of the items shown on our website are available to view at our showroom in The London Silver Vaults.
Looking after your silverware is a simple process. We have put together a guide at https://johnsurtees.co.uk/knowledge/how-to-clean-silver-care-guide/