Napkin rings emerged in France in 1800. They are decorative rings mostly silver used to hold cloth napkins. Generally napkin rings were sold in sets of either two or six. It contained designs of plants and animals and had numbers or initials carved into the body. Napkin rings were also given as gifts. Wood, bone, glass, porcelain and other materials were also used to make napkin rings. Napkin rings are also referred to as serviette ring.