Catalog: Vintage Arts (283)

A figural Art Deco jigger in the form of a streamlined cat by Napier. Stand the cat on his ears and tail while you fill it to the 1 oz mark and then store him upright! The tail is marked “Napier”.

Origin: America, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent, plating intact. Dimensions: 3-11/16” tall.

A classic silverplated single-serving cocktail shaker by Napier in 1934 specifically to be sold at Saks Fifth Avenue. The shakers were made in two variations, one with a dial on the top indicating the type of cocktail within and this version, with the profile of a rooster on the lid. The shaker has a built-in strainer and pouring spout. When removed, the lid becomes a footed cocktail glass. The bottom of the shaker is stamped "Napier Pat. Pend."

• Origin: America, ca. 1934.
• Dimensions: 6 1/2" tall.
• Condition: very good; light wear to plating as is typical of all Napier silverplated items; a pinpoint and a 1/4" ding to the side of the cap/cup.

A complete set of six stacking chrome cocktail or canape plates designed by Lurelle Guild for the Chase Company. Each of the plates has an indented ring in which the foot of a cocktail glass fits perfectly, and an aerodynamic wing that serves as a handle. In advertising the plates, Chase said "With this smart looking canape plate, you can hold a cocktail, a canape and a cigarette in one hand and shake hands with other." Curiously, set of these plates are in the permanent collections of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Yale University Art Gallery, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Origin: America, 1934-41. Condition: excellent, normal surface wear consistent with age and use, no plating damage. Size: 6-1/4" diameter, excluding handle.

This wonderfully inventive Art Deco silverplate jigger measures 3/4, 1, 1-1/2 and 2 ounces. The cube joining the various cups shows measurements on one side and is stamped with the hallmark for Benedict Manufacturing Company (1894-1953) on the other. The cube is perfectly weighted so the jigger does not tip over when the upper cup is filled. This implement was created by the noted modernist designer Albert F. Saunders as a part of Benedict's "Modernistic" line. It was made in extremely small quantities and originals are very difficult to find.

• Origin: America, ca. 1930
• Condition: very good; one pinpoint ding; minimal plating wear
• Dimensions: 4-13/16” x 3-5/8”

A nice bronze trumpet vase by Carl Sorensen. The surface is patinated in a mottled green, and the lower part of the vase is enhanced with parallel bands of various widths. A matching band appears around the outer top rim. Sorensen made a variety of decorative metalwares, but little is known about him. He worked in Pennsylvania, and his pieces were possibly sold by Roycroft and Tiffany. The base is signed “Carl Sorensen” and also has his hallmark.

Origin: America, ca. 1930. Condition: very good, patination is excellent, there is a slightly flattened area along the upper rim visible when viewed from just the right angle. Size: 5-7/16” tall.

A French Art Deco cocktail pick set in the unusual form of a large snail accompanied by a pair of baby snails. The snail is usually alone or perhaps with just one smaller one. They are worked in chrome and are set on a mahogany base. The design is by the famed French Art Deco illustrator Benjamin Rabier, who had a side gig designing entertaining barware. The twelve picks have red bakelite finials. Sets such as this were used on bar and café counters to serve cocktail garnishes, canapés, or even escargot.

• Origin: France, ca. 1930.
• Condition: excellent; all original.
• Dimensions: 6-7/8” x 3-1/8” x 4-1/4”.

Set of four Bohemian glasses, each hand painted with a different pair of dogs. We're not dog experts, but they appear to be Scotties, wolfhounds, spaniels and Dalmatians. The quality of the painting is very nice, as is the quality of the glass. The top and bottom edges are decorated with gilt lines. The polished bottoms are acid-etched "Made In Czechoslovakia".

Origin: Czechoslovakia, 1918-1935. Condition: excellent, slight wear to gilt edges. Size: 5-3/4" tall.

Lovely pair of porcelain compotes in the "Dresden Garland" pattern by Schumann. The pierced rims are heavily decorated with colorful flowers and gilding. Each compote is centered with a floral bouquet surrounded by entwined gilt and floral garlands. The decorative motifs are echoed on the pedestals. The bottoms are marked by Schumann.

Origin: Germany, ca. 1920. Condition: mint. Size: 7-1/2" diameter; 4-5/8" tall.

Outstanding weather vane with a figure of a male golfer preparing to tee off. The vane is constructed of cast white metal with a coppery brown painted finish. The vane is attributed to be from the clubhouse of an American golf and country club built in 1935.

Origin: American, circa 1935. Condition: excellent, paint wear appropriate to age. Size: 26" long; 19-1/2" tall.

Beautiful cranberry-cut-to-clear glass decanter. The generously-sized bottle has terrific color and very nice quality cutting of hobstars, strawberry diamond, and notched prism motifs. The stopper has a blown teardrop and is cut in a matching pattern. The bottom is cut with a full hobstar. The neck and stopper are engraved with matching numbers (signifying that this is the original stopper). The bottom is signed in script.

Origin: Belgium, ca. 1930. Condition: mint. Size: 16" tall.

A classic figural sterling silver thimble jigger, the rim ornately engraved “Only A Thimble Full.” The workmanship is very good and the engraving among the nicest we’ve seen. Marked only “Sterling,” it was likely made by either Thomae or Webster.

• Origin: America, 1935
• Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms
• Dimensions: 1-7/8” tall
• Weight: 37.1 grams

A rare cocktail pick set in the form of a bakelite champagne stopper holding a set of chrome picks. Of the many French Art Deco barware items we’ve handled, this is the first example of this pick set we’ve seen.

• France, circa 1930
• Bakelite is inxcellent condition; light wear to plating on picks
• 4” tall

A nice Art Deco cocktail pick set formed as a dark red bakelite cherry atop a rosewood base holding six bright red bakelite cherry-finial picks. The cocktail pick holder (“porte-piques”) was once a fixture of every French bar or café, as well as private bars in the home. Today, they can be used for their original purpose or to serve small hors d’oeuvres.

• Origin: France, ca. 1930
• Condition: excellent, minor wear to the finish along the lower edge of one side of the base
• Dimensions: 2-5/8” x 2-5/8” x 4”

Elegant sterling silver basket of sterling silver, pierced to reveal a cobalt blue glass liner. The neo-Gothic style piercing is accented with a tiny band of beading just below. The basket is raised on a foot. The swing handle is unadorned. The bottom is hallmarked by Redlich.

Origin: America, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent, no dings or cracks, no monogram. Size: 5-1/2” tall to top of handle; 4-1/4” diameter. Silver Weight: 122.5 grams.

A very rare French first standard silver (950/1000 pure silver) tastevin, the bottom bearing the coat of arms of the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. The arms depict St. Vincent, patron saint of winemakers. The body is further decorated with the traditional raised “perles” for highlighting the reflections in the wine and recessed “cupules” and elongated “godrons” intended to concentrate the color during the tasting process. The handle is worked in the snake motif traditional in Burgundian tastevins. The rim is stamped with the master silversmith’s mark for Emile Mémery & Henri Hours.

The Confrerie was established in 1934 to promote the wines of Burgundy. Modeled on Medieval guilds, membership in the Confrerie is strictly controlled and is open only to sponsored candidates. A tastevin bearing the arms of the Confrerie could only have belonged to a member. Tastevins used by the Confrerie come in a few different variations (not all the members are wealthy and must make do with a silverplate taster), with the being the rarest and most prized. Known for their service to the elite of Burgundy, Alsace and Lorraine, Mémery & Hours were the preferred silversmiths to the Confrerie’s elite.

• Origin: Lyon, France, ca 1935
• Condition: excellent; sharp detail on the coat of arms; a minor ding on each of two “cupules”
• Dimensions: 3-1/16” x 4” x 1”
• Weight: 96.8 grams

Fascinating watercolor set in the form of a 1930's automobile with working wheels. The top lifts to reveal containers for paints and water; an area for mixing; and a storage compartment for brushes. The back of the car is embossed "Betel Motor Car/Patent No. 75086/Open & Close Type/BF".

Origin: England, circa 1930. Condition: some budding young artist decided to decorate the car with some black paint, which could be removed by polishing the brass; the surface is untouched; no dents or missing parts. Approximately 10" x 5" x 3.75" high.

A very rare French first standard silver (950/1000 pure silver) tastevin, the bottom bearing the coat of arms of the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. The arms depict St. Vincent, patron saint of winemakers. The body is further decorated with the traditional raised "perles" for highlighting the reflections in the wine and recessed "cupules" and elongated "godrons" intended to concentrate the color during tasting. The handle is worked in the snake motif traditional in Burgundian tastevins. The rim is stamped with an unidentified silversmith's mark.

The Confrerie was established in 1934 to promote the wines of Burgundy. Modeled on Medieval guilds, membership in the Confrerie is strictly controlled and is open only to sponsored candidates. A tastevin bearing the arms of the Confrerie could only have belonged to a member. Tastevins used by the Confrerie come in a few different variations, with this being the rarest and most prized.

Origin: France, ca. 1935. Condition: excellent, light wear to coat of arms consistent with age, a minor ding to one cupule. Dimension: 3-1/16" diameter (excluding handle). Weight: 91.6 grams.

A classic figural sterling silver thimble jigger by Thomae & Co. The rim is engraved "Only A Thimble Full." The interior retains its original gilding. Several companies made variations of this jigger, but those by Thomae are among the best due to their superior weight and workmanship.

Origin: America, ca. 1935. Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms. Size: 2" tall. Weight: 37.8 grams.