Catalog: Vintage Arts: Decorative Art (265)

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.

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.

Vintage sterling silver figural jigger in the form of a thimble. The rim is engraved "Just a thimblefull." These first became popular during the late Victorian era and remained so through the mid-20th century. This example is hallmarked by Towle.

Origin: America, ca. 1960. Condition: excellent. Size: 2" tall. Weight: 28.2 grams.

A classic sterling silver jigger by Kirk & Son. The simple shape is accented with a gently flared lip and beautiful gilding. The bottom is stamped with the Kirk hallmark used from 1932.

• Origin: America, ca 1960
• Condition: excellent, no dings, gilding complete intact
• Dimensions: 1-15/16” tall
• Weight: 32.9 grams

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 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.

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.

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 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. Dimensions: 6-1/4” long. Weight: 2.3 gr.

This set of bar tools in Tiffany's classic "Bamboo" pattern includes a bottle/can opener, ice pick and fruit knife, all with gilt sterling silver handles. This is a wonderful design that looks as stylish today as it did in when conceived by the designer Van Day Truex in 1961. The set is presented in its original fitted velvet-lined box Tiffany blue box. Each piece is marked "Tiffany & Co. Makers Sterling".

• Origin: America, ca. 1965.
• Condition: excellent; gilding intact; no dings; moderate wear and discoloration to interior and exterior of box.
• Dimensions: knife, 8-1/4" long; pick, 7-1/4" long; opener, 5-7/8" long.

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 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 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 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 superb lampwork pansy and snake paperweight by Charles Kaziun, Jr. The design features two of Kaziun's most iconic design elements from the 1950s and 60s. The pansy is a beautiful indigo color with lampwork upper petals and millefiore cane lower petals. The snake is worked in orange and yellow stripes with a black head and bulging yellow eyes. The whole is set against an uncommon sulfur-yellow jasper ground and is finished with a 6/1 faceted design. A gold foil bee, serving as Kaziun's signature, appears on one of the pansy's leaves. A gold foil "K" appears underneath the ground.

Origin: America, ca. 1955. Condition: excellent, no chips or scratches. Dimensions: 2-5/8" diameter.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

Pretty sterling silver sardine fork in Manchester's 1951 "Amaryllis" pattern. The design is somewhat similar to Chantilly, and has a very Victorian feel. The fork could be used for sardines, as well as for a variety of hors d'oeuvres. The back of the handle is stamped with Manchester's hallmark.

Origin: America, ca. 1951. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 5-1/2" long. Weight: 23.5 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 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

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.

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 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.

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

A very nice sterling silver double jigger with bell-form cups joined by a twisted stem by Reed & Barton. The jigger has substantial weight and a generous size. Fully hallmarked by Reed & Barton.

• Origin: America, ca. 1950.
• Condition: excellent, no dings or mongorams.
• Dimensions: 4-1/2" tall.
• Weight: 89.6 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.

An elegant sterling silver small letter opener in Kirk’s “Repousse” pattern. The wide end is beautifully decorated with a pattern of roses and foliage against a stippled background. The flat edge is marked off so it can be used as a ruler. The back is marked with the Kirk hallmarked used 1932-61.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, very light wear to the first few 1/16” makers on the ruler at the pointed tip. Weight: 26.5 grams.

A fine, colorful boxed set of six sterling silver coffee or demitasse spoons with gilt and guilloche enamel decoration by the Birmingham silversmith, Turner & Simpson. The delicate shades of the guilloche enamel are accented with white champlevé enamel. Turner & Simpson sold sets such as this through luxury jewelers such as Garrard and Asprey in London. Each spoon is fully hallmarked by the maker. The set is presented in its original fitted box.

Origin: Birmingham, England, 1956. Condition: excellent, no enamel damage; box has very minor wear consistent with age. Dimensions: 3” long. Weight: 42.6 gr.

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. This example is noticeably heavier than other Gorham stoplights we've had, suggesting that it's of an earlier date. The bottom is hallmarked by Gorham.

• Origin: America, ca. 1950.
• Condition: very good; a very shallow 1/8" ding on the rim (to the left of the lights) and shallow 1/8" ding on the back side near the bottom.
• Weight: 56.9 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 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, except the ounce markings on the bottom ar worn and faint
• Dimensions: 2-7/16” tall
• Weight: 55.5 grams