Catalog: Vintage Arts (284)

A rare French Art Deco cocktail pick set (“porte-piques”) depicting Aesop’s fable about the raven and the fox. The fox praised the raven so much that the bird opened its mouth to sing and dropped its lunch right into the fox’s waiting mouth. The moral: beware of flattery. This set was likely designed by the French children’s illustrator Banjamin Rabier who enjoyed a sideline designing barware. Pick sets such as this were once a fixture on every Parisian bar counter and today, they can be used at home for cocktails or to serve small hors d’oeuvres.

• Origin: France, ca. 1930
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 5-7/8” x 2-7/16” x 5-3/16”

These lovely sterling silver spoons are in a Colonial Revival pattern, simply decorated with a shell at the tip of the handle. The backs are stamped with the high-end retailer's name "Bigelow, Kennard & Co." of Boston, indicating a date before 1922. The backs of the handles also have a monogram "T" in a style that would point to ca. 1890-1900, and the mark 925/1000 which would also support that date range.

Although the maker is unknown, it is very similar to a number of patterns called "Shell" that were made by virtually all the more important silver manufacturers at the time (Gorham in 1890; Reed & Barton in 1900; Towle in 1889; Frank Smith in 1890; Mt. Vernon in 1865; and Lunt in 1888). It appears most similar to Frank Smith's version, but would work nicely with any of these or other Colonial Revival patterns.

Excellent condition. 8.5" long.

A beautiful Art Deco green-cut-to-clear decanter designed by Charles Graffart for Val St. Lambert. The pyramidal shape capped by an inverted stopper is very linear and perfectly accents the austere overlay cutting pattern. The base is signed "Val St. Lambert" and the stopper is engraved with a number that matches the number inside the decanter's neck.

Origin: Belgium, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 9-1/8" tall.

A set of six sterling silver coffee spoons by Asprey & Co. Each spoon has a brownish-black bakelite “coffee bean”—a decorative device popular in England during the Art Deco period. Each spoon is fully hallmarked for Asprey, 1931. The spoons are presented in their original silk- and velvet-lined fitted box, the lid of which is imprinted “Asprey/166 Bond St/London”.

Origin: England, 1931. Condition: excellent, all original, no monograms. Size: 3-7/8” long. Weight: 43.0 grams.

A classic Art Deco porcelain water jug advertising Ricard Anisette. In the south of France, tradition dictates that Ricard and other anise-flavored spirits be drunk with a side of water. Makers such as Ricard and Pernod provided advertising pitchers to local bars to increase their sales. This globe form is the classic shape from the first half of the 20th century. The bottom is marked "Ateliers de Céramique Ricard/Made In France".

Origin: France, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Dimensions: 6" tall at handle.

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.

A sweet sterling silver baby ring and teething rattle. The central silver piece shows Peter Rabbit sitting in a high chair enjoying a bowl of porridge. The back side can be engraved with the baby's name. The rattle is suspended in a lucite faux mother-of-pearl teething ring. These rattles are very difficult to find with no monograms or other engraving. Peter Rabbit rattles are among the most uncommon designs by Webster. Origin: America, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent, no engraving or removals. Dimensions: 2-7/16" diameter.

A classic figural sterling silver thimble jigger by Thomae & Co. The rim is engraved "Only A Thimble Full." The interior retains a small amount of 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: 41.4 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.

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 superb set of four Art Deco chrome shot glasses, each with a different color of opaque enamel at the rim, enclosed in a fitted leather case by Newey. Newey was a major English maker of leather goods and a supplier to top-level retailers such as Harrod's. The case is embossed with Newey's logo and each of the shot glasses is marked "Made In Germany."

Origin: Germany/England, ca. 1930. Condition: virtually mint; no dings, no scrapes to the leather. Size: shot glasses, 1-3/4" tall; case, 2-11/16" tall.

A classic Art Deco sterling silver double jigger. The linear shape of the cups (instead of the more common bell shapes) lends this jigger a very modern feel. Marked "Sterling" and with the hallmark for Baldwin & Miller.

Origin: America, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms. Dimensions: 3-7/16" tall. Weight: 55.5 gr.

Very fine pair of George VI sterling silver master salt dishes. The salts are raised on paw feet surmounted by lion masks. The everted rims are gadrooned. The salts retain the original cobalt blue glass liners. The salts are identical, but were made in different years by the same silversmith. One has the date mark for 1936 and the other for 1939. The only difference is that glass liner in one is a little thicker than the other.

Origin: London. Condition: excellent, all original, no dings or monograms. Size: 2-7/8" diameter; 1-1/2" tall. Weight: 202.0 grams (silver only).

A classic Art Deco porcelain water jug advertising Ricard Anisette. In the south of France, tradition dictates that Ricard and other anise-flavored spirits be drunk with a side of water. Makers such as Ricard and Pernod provided advertising pitchers to local bars to increase their sales. This globe form is the classic shape from the first half of the 20th century. The bottom is marked “Ateliers de Céramique Ricard/Made in France”.

Origin: France, ca. 1930. Condition: good, there is a firing line in the spout and a flattened area on the foot, both original to the making; no subsequent chips or cracks. Size: 6” tall at handle.

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 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.

Six sterling silver demitasse spoons in a classic pattern featuring a gadrooned edge. The backs of the bowls are fully hallmarked for Chester, 1923. The maker's mark is "S.I. Ld.".

Origin: Chester, England, 1923. Condition: excellent, no monograms. Size: 4-1/16" long.

A delightful French Art Deco cocktail pick set in the form of a carved rosewood cat arching his back to hiss at a little chrome snail. A wooden rack holds six chrome cocktail picks, each topped with a snail. All are presented on a macassar ebony base. Sets such as these were used in French homes as well as on the bar counters at cafes.

• Origin: France, ca. 1935.
• Condition: excellent, all original, one pick has very minor plating wear visible on close inspection.
• Dimensions: 5-7/8" x 3-1/4" x 4" high.