Catalog: Vintage Arts: Decorative Art (265)

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 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.

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

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

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 fun figural sterling silver rollover jigger in the form of a beehive. The jigger is made to rest on the top rim of a cocktail shaker or glass. Once full, it can simply be tipped over to avoid spills. The beehive shape is completed with a silver bee at the top. One handle is marked "Sterling."

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms. Dimensions: 2-1/4" tall; 5-1/4" wide. Weight: 26.5 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: 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 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 bell-shaped sterling silver double jigger. The bell shape and rolled edges of the cups are reminiscent of “Revere” bowls that were in turn based on Colonial designs by Paul Revere. Stamped “Sterling.”

• Origin: America, ca 1950
• Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms
• Height: 3-7/8”
• Weight: 46.4 grams

A rare vintage ruby glass cocktail in the form of a fire extinguisher. The side is silkscreened with instructions for use such as, “In emergencies charge with ingredients, shake well and dispense freely until conflagration is under control.” The shaker retains its original coppertone steel lid and interior strainer.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks to glass, no splits to metal. Size: 11-1/2” 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 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.

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 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

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

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.

A sterling silver vermouth dispenser in the form of a watering can by Cartier. When tipped, the dispenser lightly sprinkles just a drip 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 flagship store.

Origin: America, ca. 1955. Condition: excellent. Size: 3” tall. Weight: 48.8 grams.

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.