Catalog: Vintage Arts (283)

A sterling silver vermouth dispenser in the form of a watering can by Cartier. When tipped, the dispenser lightly sprinkles a drip or two of vermouth into the glass for the perfect martini. The bottom is marked “Sterling” and is signed “Cartier”. These watering cans were made for Cartier’s New York store.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: very good, two tiny dings barely noticeable in raking light. Size: 3” tall. Weight: 52.0 gr.

Colorful pottery sardine box decorated with all manner of seashells in shades of brown, red, blue and grey. The bottom is marked "Handpainted Occupied Japan" around a peacock logo.

Origin: Japan, ca. 1945-52. Condition: excellent. Size: 5" x 3-3/4" x 2-3/4".

A vintage sterling silver figural jigger by Alvin, the sides marked off with enameled stoplights in green, yellow and red. Each light is accompanied by the words “Go,” “Caution” and “Stop.” The bottom is hallmarked by Alvin.

Origin: America, ca. 1960. Condition: excellent; no dings, monograms or enamel loss. Dimensions: 2-1/2” tall. Weight: 35.4 gr.

A nice sterling silver double jigger with a turned ebony handle. The jigger has a smaller and a larger cup, each in bell form. The jigger is marked by Edward San Giovanni, who worked in Ridgefield, CT during the 1940s and 50s.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms. Dimensions: 2-13/16 in high; 5-1/8 in long. Weight: 38.8 gr.

An elegant set of six gilt sterling silver mint julep spoons, the bowls decorated in the form of a pair of overlapping mint leaves. The stems are hollow, so they can be used as sippers, too. The spoons can also be used for iced tea. The gilding is a beautiful, rich shade of gold. The spoons are marked “Tiffany & Co. Sterling”.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, all original, gilding intact. Dimensions: 8-1/2” long. Weight: 74.3 grams.

A wonderful heavy sterling silver double jigger by modernist silversmith Alphonse La Paglia. The two tapered vessels are joined by a series of silver spheres and rings that are reportedly intended to represent flower bulbs and roots. The overall appearance is severe and very elegant. La Paglia originally worked in the U.S. for Georg Jensen USA, then at International Silver beginning in 1952 until his death the following year. His designs were produced until 1957. The jigger is marked with one of La Paglia's hallmarks used at International and with the pattern number 116.

Origin: America, 1952-57. Condition: excellent, light ding on one edge; no monograms. Size: 3-32/32" tall. Weight: 11.0 grams.

An unusual mid-Century Taxco version of the classis sterling silver thimble jigger. Like most Mexican silver of the era, this piece has tremendous weight and a simple charm. The rim is engraved “Just A Thimbleful 1-1/4”. The bottom bears the hallmark of A. Dominguez and the Eagle stamp used in the late 1950s.

Origin: Mexico, ca. 1955. Condition: excellent, no dings. Dimensions: 1-11/16” tall. Weight: 41.4 gr.

A mid-Century frosted glass cocktail shaker by the Federal Glass Co. The shaker is decorated with a colorful scene of dancing Native Americans with teepees and smoke signals in the background.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, all original, no chips or cracks. Dimensions: 10" tall.

A vintage sterling silver figural jigger by Alvin, the sides marked off with enameled stoplights in green, yellow and red. Each light is accompanied by the words “Go,” “Caution” and “Stop.” The bottom is hallmarked by Alvin.

Origin: America, ca. 1960. Condition: excellent; no dings, monograms, excellent enamel except for a tiny bit of enamel loss to the red light. Dimensions: 2-1/2” tall. Weight: 36.8 gr.

A vintage sterling silver figural jigger by Gorham, the sides marked off with enameled stoplights in green, yellow and red. Each light corresponds to the 1, 2-1/2 and 3-1/2 ounce markings on the jigger’s bottom. The bottom is hallmarked by Gorham.

Origin: America, ca. 1950

Condition: excellent; no dings, monograms or enamel loss

Dimensions: 2-7/16” tall

Weight: 49.8 grams

A nice sterling silver double jigger, the bell-shaped cups joined by a spherical holder, by Graff, Washbourne and Dunn. This New York maker was known for the high quality of its smaller wares such as this. The company closed in 1961, but the generous weight of this jigger suggests an earlier date.

• Origin: America, ca. 1950
• Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms
• Dimensions: 4-1/16” tall
• Weight: 87.9 grams

No stylish modernist home bar is complete without this iconic early 1950’s sterling silver rollover jigger designed by Eigil Jensen for the renowned Danish silversmith Anton Michelsen. The linear design complements a wide range of contemporary and classic barware, and the heavy weight will resist dings. The 1.5-ounce jigger is intended to rest on the top rim of a glass or cocktail shaker, then filled and tipped over without spilling. The bottom is stamped with an earlier Michelsen hallmark, Danish silver marks, and Jensen’s designer mark.

• Origin: Denmark, ca. 1950.
• Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms.
• Dimensions: 4-7/8” (l); 1-5/8” (w); 1” (h).
• Weight: 52.8 grams.

A classic mid-century sterling silver jigger by Smith & Smith and retailed by Black, Starr & Gorham, one of America's leading luxury stores in the 1950s. The jigger is simply decorated with a series of three incised rings that do double duty as markers for variously sized pours. The bottom is fully hallmarked. The jigger is presented with its original felt pouch and gift box, both marked "Black, Starr & Gorham."

• Origin: America, 1950-62.
• Condition: excellent; no dings or monograms; light staining on gift box.
• Dimensions: 2-7/16" tall.
• Weight: 29.4 grams.

A classic sterling silver double jigger by Reed & Barton. Unlike most double jiggers, this style has the two bell-shaped measures joined directly at the middle rather than having a spacer, creating a more compact shape. The inside of one cup is hallmarked by Reed & Barton.

• Origin: America, ca. 1955
• Condition: excellent, no monograms or dings
• Dimensions: 3-1/4” tall
• Weight: 45.5 grams

A classic late Art Deco or early modernist porcelain water jug advertising Ricard Anisette. In the south of France, tradition dictates that anise-flavored aperitifs should be served with water to dilute the drink. Makers such as Ricard and Pernod provided advertising pitchers to local bars and cafes to increase their sales. This squared-off rectangular form is less common than the traditional globe-shaped pitcher and became popular after World War II. The bottom is marked "Ateliers de Céramique Ricard/Made in France".

Origin: France, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 9" x 3-3/4" x 5-1/2" tall.

Very nice sterling silver Colonial-style porringer by Alvin Silver Co. Sterling porringers are a traditional gift for newborns, serving as a feeding dish. They are also suitable for mint/nut dishes or wine bottle coasters. The bottom is marked "Lullaby Sterling" which is a division of Alvin.

Origin: America, mid-20th century. Condition: excellent, a pinpoint ding on one side near the handle. Size: 4" diameter (excluding handle); 1-1/4" high. Weight: 61.5 grams.

Lovely pair of sterling silver short candlesticks, the sockets with an engraved design and flaring outline suggestive of a tulip blossom. The design has a nice Art Deco feel and is really much more interesting than the typical short candlesticks of this type. The bottoms are marked “Sterling” but have no maker’s mark.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, the bottom edge of one stick has a few truly pinpoint-sized dings (not really visible except when upside down). Size: 4-3/8” tall; 3-1/2” diameter at base.

A classic mid-century bell-shaped sterling silver double jigger. This example is a little taller than some, lending a more elegant appearance. The neck is stamped “Web-Sterling.”

• Origin: America, ca. 1960
• Condition: excellent, no monograms or dings
• Height: 4-3/8”
• Weight: 49.2 grams