What is the side piece for?

[randazzo1]

Picked these up for $2.00 for the lot. All sterling. Obviously cocktail coasters. But WHAT is the side car for? Dying to know.

And happy Mother’s Day!

 

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[bdsawyer]

Cigs?

 

[EccentricInTexas]

Spoon rest maybe Awesome find at that price though!!!

 

[pat-tekker-cat]

tea bag caddy?

 

[Red-Coat]

They’re generally referred to as “spoon rests”, but you could use them for things like lemon pieces for squeezing, small snacklets, nibbles and such. Not for cigarettes, I think. Teabags is also a possibility but we don’t know the date for these coasters and the first commercial teabags didn’t appear in America until 1904.

There’s a bunch of them on eBay here:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12-Sterl...rs-Hallmarked-Crown-B-Lion-4329-/362696080619



The seller says they’re marked “sterling, makers mark: crown, B, Lion, and 4329” (on the underside of the rim). I’m doubtful whether the marks are being read correctly and the picture provided is unhelpful:



Are yours marked?

I have no idea what the WHC, MDAFU and ‘30 years’ or ‘35 years’ is all about, but obviously a custom engraving for some organisation and not related to the maker. Unfortunately, that detracts from their value.

 

[randazzo1]

Thanks all. Makes sense. Yes they are marked sterling and the Gorham mark. I can’t figure out what that engraving is either- it’s on two of them.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Nice finds, congrats!