Catalog: Vintage Arts (284)

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, two pinpoint dings on the bottom
• Dimensions: 2-7/16”
• Weight: 53.5 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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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 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 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 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 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

Six 17th century style sterling silver coffee spoons in the original velvet and satin lined box. The finials are in the shape of globe artichokes. Each spoon is fully hallmarked for London, 1946. Both the spoons and the box are in mint condition. Spoons 4" long.

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 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 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.

A Tiffany & Co. sterling silver figural jigger in the form of an 18th century Colonial tankard. The jigger measures 1-1/2 ounces. The bottom is marked "Tiffany & Co./2419/Sterling."

Origin: America, ca. 1950

Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms

Dimensions: 1-7/8" tall

Weight: 41.0 grams.

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.