Soda water was originally purchased from a shop or local supplier. In the large country houses or restaraunts and bars, they would produce their own soda water using a soda syphon.
 
This is a Victorian silver bottle coaster with pierced decoration and lion mask handles.
 
These syphon holders are ofter used as a bottle coaster nowadays. The syphon holder would probably be found in a middle to upper income household or a high street establishment, such as a hotel or restaraunt.
 
The external condition is good - slight ware to inside of base.
 
Dimensions: 16cm x 14cm