Figural napkin rings and figural toothpick holders were popular (mainly in the USA) and in other places of the world during the period 1860-1920.

Napkin Rings were a necessary item for every person to have to identify their cloth napkin, which would only be washed once a week. Paper napkins had not been invented then. Every household needsed also spare napkin rings for when guest came over for dinner. Tens of millions would have been made. 

Toothpick holders were a necessary item on tables to hold toothpicks, which were at the time what a toothbrush is now.

Everyone had a napkin ring, not all figural, but figural napkin rings are one of the most collectable items as most of them were marked as to maker and number according to the pattern/patent/production design. And just when you think you have them all, there are lots of others. Figural napkin rings were generally made of Britannia metal and silverplated 4 times.

Figural toothpick holders are rarer than figural napkin rings as less were made or required.

Most of the figurals I have, were found in Australia. I imagine a lot came over during the Gold Rush period in Australia during the 1880/1890s. Some were even sold in Australia, in Melbourne or Sydney, that were not released in the USA or Canada.

I research items carefully before buying and pricing them. My prices are set in accord with past sales, condition, and rarity. There is a fair amount of data on the web to price most items, although some have never appeared for sale before. I am prepared to give valuations at $10 for the first item, and $5 for each subsequent item. 

There are also numerous books/references which detail them photographically with their estimated value. Some of the figural napkin rings are worth $50, while others are worth thousands of dollars. Many figural napkin rings have sold for over $3000/4000 USD at public auctions in the USA.

I often use the book "Figural Napkin Rings: Collectors Identification and Value Guide" by Lilian Gottschalk and Sandra Whitson (1996) as a reference, denoted G&W in my descriptions.

Figural napkin rings are arguably the most collectable item. They are hand made works of art c1880. They are in most classified and identifiable. They are of high value. They can be easily transported/posted when sold. They do not take up much space. There are some that you will never acquire, so it is a bottomless pit as a collectable. And finally they are beautiful.