This is a vintage card of nine sterling silver Christmas pudding charms, unused & still attached to the card with string, & dating to the 1930's.

The tradition of putting small charms or sixpences in the Christmas Pudding dates back to Victorian times

The top of the card has 'LUCKY CAKE & PUDDING PRIZES' in a garland, with a Christmas tree to either side, & the bottom states 'STERLING SILVER - MADE IN ENGLAND'.

The charms are all named & are as follows :

a ring - MARRIAGE

a button - BACHELOR

a horn or cone filled with fruit (horn of plenty ?) - HAPPINESS

a wishbone - A WISH

a donkey

a horse shoe - GOOD LUCK

a bag of money - FORTUNE

a spoon

a duck

The charms are very small (the spoon is the largest at 2.5 cm in length), & are of embossed (rather than solid) construction, & thus are quite fragile.

I would be amazed if these particular charms were allowed in this day & age, due to 'Health and Safety' regulations.

The card & charms are in fantastic, original condition : the card is a bit discoloured at the edges & the charms are tarnished (they are nearly 80 years old !). The 'wishbone' has a slight dent - please see photo's.

Please Note : Orkney Antiques are offering these vintage charms as a purely collectable item, not intended for use. As such, Orkney Antiques accepts no responsibility should these charms be used in a pudding, or anything else, for that matter.