Catalog: Vintage Arts (284)

A classic sterling silver double jigger by Kirk & Son. The two cups measure 1 and 2 ounces. Rather than being bell-shaped, the cups have straighter sides for a more contemporary look. The interior is fully hallmarked by Kirk.

• Origin: America, ca. 1960.
• Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms.
• Dimensions: 3-11/16" tall.
• Weight: 56.5 grams.

A vintage sterling silver vermouth dispenser in the form of a syringe by Gorham. These were called “Martini Spikes” when sold by Gorham in the 1960s. The functioning plunger allows vermouth to be drawn up into the syringe and then dispensed in precisely-calibrated medical dosages into your favorite cocktail. The syringe originally cost $10. The syringe is accompanied by an illustrated instruction card and the original fitted box.

• Origin: America, 1967-70
• Condition: excellent, no monograms or dings,two wear spots to the top outer surface of the box.
• Dimensions: 6-1/4” long

A classic sterling silver double jigger, the stem enhanced with incised lines. The jigger is marked "Sterling".

Origin: America, ca. 1960. Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms. Size: 3-5/16" tall. Weight: 55.9 grams.

An elegant sterling silver wine bottle coaster by Tiffany & Co. The sides are beautifully worked in repousse decoration of roses and chrysanthemums with a leaf border at the bottom and a twig border at the top. The coaster is inset with a carved mahogany base centered by a sterling silver disc perfect for monogramming. The coaster is large enough to accommodate a magnum or champagne bottle. The rim is marked “Tiffany & Co./Sterling Silver 925”.

Origin: America, ca. 1965. Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms. Dimensions: 5-1/4” diameter; 2” high.

A set of eight sterling silver cocktail forks in Alvin's popular 1953 "French Scroll" pattern. The design is very elegant and would blend nicely with a wide variety of other patterns. The forks could also be used for seafood. The backs are hallmarked by Alvin and have the pattern name.

Origin: America, circa 1960s. Condition: excellent, no monograms. Size: 5-3/4" long.

A vintage sterling silver vermouth dispenser in the form of a syringe by Gorham. These were called “Martini Spikes” when sold by Gorham in the 1960s. The functioning plunger allows vermouth to be drawn up into the syringe and then dispensed in precisely-calibrated doses for your medical cocktails. The syringe originally cost $10. The syringe is presented in its original fitted box and is accompalied by the illustrated instruction card.

• Origin: Amerca, ca 1967-70
• Condition: excellent, no monograms or dings; box in mint condition
• Dimensions: 6-1/4” long.

A nice mid-century modern French cocktail pick set featuring a blonde wood stylized snail with a chrome shell. He's perched on a set of chrome leaves that hold the six chrome and plastic-topped cocktail picks. Cocktail pick holders ("porte-piques") were once a fixture of every French bar and café. They can be used to spear olives or cherries for cocktails or to serve small hors d'oeuvres.

• Origin: France, ca. 1960.
• Dimensions: 5-1/2" x 2-1/2" x 3-5/8" high.
• Condition: excellent; tiny amount of chrome wear.

A vintage sterling silver vermouth dispenser in the form of a syringe by Gorham. These were called “Martini Spikes” when sold by Gorham in the 1960s. The functioning plunger allows vermouth to be drawn up into the syringe and then dispensed in precisely-calibrated medical dosages into your favorite cocktail. The syringe originally cost $10. The syringe is accompanied by an illustrated instruction card and the original fitted box.

Origin: America, 1967-70. Condition: excellent, no monograms or dings. There are 2 small tears on the top of the box. Dimensions: 6-1/4” long. Weight: 2.3 gr.

Art glass vase featuring swirls of dark bluish-green glass against a amber-yellow background. The overall look is very handsome. The base has a polished pontil.

Origin: probably American, circa 1970. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks, appropriate wear on base. Size: 4-1/2" high; 5-1/4 diam.

A nice sterling rollover jigger by Towle. The jigger is intended to rest over the opening of a cocktail shaker or glass and then be tipped over neatly to pour the contents directly into the vessel. Marked by Towle.

Origin: America, ca. 1960. Condition: excellent, no dings. Dimensions: 2" high; 6" wide. Weight: 33.1 grams.

A classic mid-century double-jigger in the form two inverted cones, one measuring 1oz and the other 1.5 oz. Marked “Sterling.”

• Origin: America, ca 1960
• Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms
• Dimensions: 3 11/16” tall
• Weight: 30.7 grams

A vintage sterling silver vermouth dispenser in the form of a syringe by Gorham. These were called “Martini Spikes” when sold by Gorham in the 1960s. The functioning plunger allows vermouth to be drawn up into the syringe and then dispensed in precisely-calibrated medical dosages into your favorite cocktail. The syringe originally cost $10. The syringe is accompanied by an illustrated instruction card and the original fitted box.

• Origin: America, 1967-70
• Condition: excellent, no monograms or dings, typical scuffing to outer surface of the box
• Dimensions: 6-1/4” long

A rare sterling silver bar spoon/cocktail muddler in the "Aztec" pattern by Hector Aguilar. This very handsome design was one of Aguilar's most icon creations. The long spoon can be used to stir cocktails and is heavy enough to be used as a muddler, as well. The reverse is stamped with the mark used by Aguilar from 1955 until 1962.

Origin: Mexico, 1955-62. Condition: excellent, light surface scratching from normal use. Dimensions: 9-1/4" long. Weight 70.3 gr.

Sterling silver gravy ladle in Gorham's 1964 "La Scala" pattern. This is one of the heavier and more expensive patterns produced by Gorham in the mid-20th century.

Origin: America, ca. 1964. Condition: near mint, no dings or monograms. Size: 6-7/8" long. Weight: 87.0 grams.

A silver jigger engraved with the pennant of the Norwegian-American Lines and the name of the passenger liner SS Stavangerfjord. The ship was commissioned in 1917 and sailed until 1963. In 1964, it was anchored in Tokyo Bay for use a hotel during the Tokyo Olympics. This jigger is engraved "Olympiske Leker", indicating that it comes from the short time the liner was used during the games. The bottom is marked "S830". Origin: Norway, 1964. Condition: excellent, two tiny dings on the bottom edge (only visible from the bottom). Dimensions: 1-13/16" tall. Weight: 13.0 gr.

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: very good, a couple of pinpoint dings on the bottom edge; no enamel damage. Size: 2-1/2” tall. Weight: 35.5 grams.

A nice vintage leather box embossed “Studs” on the top. Most of these boxes are round, but this example is a much more uncommon horseshoe, the lid also embossed with a horseshoe. These boxes were original intended to store shirt studs or cufflinks, but can be used for any variety of gentleman’s accessories.

Origin: probably England, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: 2-1/2” x 2-3/4” x 1-3/16.

A vintage sterling silver figural jigger by Gorham, the sides marked off with enameled stoplights in green, yellow and red, meant to signify “go,” “caution,” and “stop.” 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 or monograms

Dimensions: 2-7/16” tall

Weight: 53.1 grams

A fine silver tastevin inset with a 1772 silver 8 reales coin from the reign of Carlos III. The deeply-curved sides of the tastevin are decorated in a characteristically Spanish baroque style with ornate chasing and engraving. The handle is in the form of a curled dragon-like creature.

Though they were fashionable in France in the 19th century, coin tastevins only became stylish in Spain around 1950. Generally, they were made by high-end silversmiths as custom orders by clients who provided their own antique coins. In this case, the coin is an 8 reales (known colloquially as a "piece of eight") minted in Mexico City for use in the Spanish colonies and in Spain itself. The tastevin was made by the silversmith Manuel Garrido and bears the retailer's mark of Bagués, Spain's most luxurious jeweler.

Origin: Spain, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: 3-1/8" diameter (excluding handle). Weight: 76.9 gr.

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 witty cocktail pick holder in the form of a marching drum. The drum is made of aluminum and is finished with a sort of rubberized coating and real string to mimic the rope ties on an old-fashioned drum. The ten picks have colorful ball finials.

Origin: France, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: 3-7/8" tall.

A lovely set of mid-century enameled sterling silver coffee spoons by Henry Clifford Davis. Davis focused mostly on smaller objects, often enhanced with enamel. The spoons have unusual melon-ribbed bowls and elegant translucent guilloche enamel handles with an engraved Greek key-type design. Each is fully stamped with Davis' hallmarks and the date letter for 1950. The set is presented in its original fitted box, the lid marked by Finnigans of Bond Street, one of the first luxury goods stores in London.

• Origin: Birmingham, England, 1950.
• Condition: excellent; no enamel damage; box is also excellent.
• Dimensions: 3-7/8" long.
• Weight: 65.9 grams.

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 carved horn cocktail pick set in the form of a flying bird that looks rather like an albatross. The bird has inset glass eyes. The natural coloring of the horn is used to good effect in the bird’s wing and tail feathers. The set is completed with a holder containing ten cocktail picks with horn finials. Cocktail pick holders (“porte-piques”) were once a fixture on the bar of every café in France and were sometimes used in the home as well. Horn sets were popular in the 1950s. Usually made in the Auvergne, the sets were a by-product of the region’s renowned cattle industry. Because the picks have tines, they can be used to spear cherries or olives for cocktails or to serve small hors d’oeuvres.

• Origin: France, ca. 1950.
• Dimensions: 7-3/4” x 3-5/8” x 4” high.
• Condition: excellent; minor flaking at the bottom edge consistent with age and use.

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.

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 vintage sterling silver figural jigger by Gorham, the sides marked off with enameled stoplights in green, yellow and red meant to signify "go," "caution," and "stop." 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: very good, three dings (one on the side and two under the very edge of the bottom rim; enamel stoplights have excellent color; professionally polished
• Weight: 51.1 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 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 also hallmarked by Gorham.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent; no dings, monograms or enamel loss. Dimensions: 2-7/16” tall. Weight: 51.7 gr.

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 vintage sterling silver figural jigger by Gorham, the sides marked off with enameled stoplights in green, yellow and red meant to signify "go," "caution," and "stop." 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; a very shallow 1/8" ding on the back side near the bottom. Slight paint loss to the red stoplight.

Weight: 53.0 grams

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.

A vintage sterling silver figural jigger by Gorham, the sides marked off with enameled stoplights in green, yellow and red, meant to signify “go,” “caution,” and “stop.” 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, one pinpoint underneath the bottom edge
• Dimensions: 2-7/16” tall
• Weight: 51.2 grams

A vintage sterling silver figural jigger by Gorham, the sides marked off with enameled stoplights in green, yellow and red, meant to signify “go,” “caution,” and “stop.” 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, except the ounce markings on the bottom ar worn and faint
• Dimensions: 2-7/16” tall
• Weight: 55.5 grams

Terrific Gorham silverplate figural shot glass in the form of an early American leather fire bucket. The front side is enameled with the emblem of the Chicago Fire Department surrounded with the words “Little Giant Engine Co. 1871”. The back side is modeled to show the leather handle. The bottom is marked “Gorham EP YC3098 CAP 3oz.” Origin: America, ca. 1955. Condition: excellent, no dings, minute wear to enamel on word "Fire Dept". Size: 2-3/4” tall.

Very nice set of eight sterling silver cocktail picks with rooster finials brightly decorated in translucent basse-taille enamels. The engraved decoration underneath the enamel lends realistic feathery details to the roosters. The exposed areas of silver are gilt. The backs are marked "925S Norway Sterling."

Origin: Norway, ca 1950. Condition: excellent, no enamel damage. Size: 3-13/16" long. Weight: 29.5 grams.