William Suckling & Sons worked out of Birmingham through the early 20th century, producing decorative metalware that leaned into Art Nouveau's fondness for organic, flowing pattern even as the movement was giving way to Art Deco's harder geometry elsewhere. This coaster shows both influences at once, pierced scrollwork arranged into triangular geometric sections rather than the fully free-flowing curves Art Nouveau is best known for, a transitional style that suited the 1920's moment it was made in.
The fluted, serpentine rim adds movement around the edge, and the whole piece stands on a stepped pedestal foot, giving it real presence rather than sitting as a flat, purely functional disc. The body is brass, originally finished with a silver plate coating, a common combination for decorative metalware of this kind, giving the appearance and shine of silver at a fraction of the material cost.
Condition notes
Good antique condition. The brass was originally silver plated; tarnishing and some rusting to the interior.
