Large Irish Silver "Chinese" Dish Ring, Dublin 1896

This is a very large and unusual example of a late 19th century Irish silver dish ring.

Measuring 8.25" across the base and made of a sturdy construction, this concave, circular dish ring has a superb pierced and embossed design with a Chinese man and woman in traditional costume amidst an array of flowers and scrolls. The piece was made in Dublin by Edmond Johnson and the base ring is clearly hallmarked. The whole piece is in excellent condition throughout.

Dish rings were first made in Ireland during the mid-18th century. They were meant to hold hot plates and prevent scorching to the polished surfaces of sideboards and dining tables. Dish rings were revived at the end of the 19th century and early 20th century and were generally replicas of the Georgian originals.