Catalog: Vintage Arts (283)

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 delightful mid-century modern jigger by Reed & Barton. The figurine of the town drunk has a 1920’s feel, but the interior green enamel identifies the jigger as part of Reed & Barton’s “Color-Clad” line designed by John Prip and introduced in 1961. The bottom is marked “Reed & Barton 2oz” and has the pattern number “260.”

• Origin: America, ca. 1961
• Condition: excellent, no plating wear or enamel damage
• Dimensions: 2-7/16” tall

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 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, 2.5, and 3.5 ounce markings on the jigger’s bottom. The bottom is hallmarked by Gorham

• Origin: America, ca. 1950
• Condition: excellent, a couple of extra-small pinpoint dings on the bottom edge
• Dimensions: 2-7/16”
• Weight: 50.4 grams

A silver jigger decorated with a raised ocean liner pennant enameled in the colors of the Norwegian-American Lines and engraved with 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, no enamel damage, no dings, no monograms. Dimensions: 2-1/16" tall. Weight: 15.6 gr.

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.

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
• Dimensions: 3-5/16" tall
• Weight 55.2 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

Vintage sterling silver figural jigger in the form of a thimble. The rim is engraved "Just a thimblefull." Thimble jiggers became popular in the Victorian era and remained so through the mid-20th century. The base is hallmarked by Towle.

Origin: America, ca. 1960. Condition: a very small ding at the bottom edge visible upon close inspection. Size: 2" tall. Weight: 28.1 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. There are 2 small tears on the top of the box. Dimensions: 6-1/4” long. Weight: 2.3 gr.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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

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.

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.

Excellent squat Rookwood vase with raised decoration featuring large three-leaf clovers and flowers. The flowers, particularly, are molded in fairy high relief, so that the glaze is thinner over the tips of the petals, creating lovely shading. The glaze is shiny, but with an orange peel texture, and is colored a medium chocolate brown. The bottom is marked with Rookwood's impressed mark and the date letters "XLV", the pattern number "6352" and the decorator's number "23" scratched into the glaze.

Origin: American, 1945. Condition: mint; no glaze crazing. Size: 5" diam.; 3-1/2" 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: excellent, one pinpoint underneath the bottom edge
• Dimensions: 2-7/16” tall
• Weight: 51.2 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 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 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 hallmarked by Gorham.

Origin: America, ca. 1950

Condition: excellent; no dings, monograms or enamel loss

Dimensions: 2-7/16” tall

Weight: 49.8 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: excellent, two pinpoint dings on the bottom
• Dimensions: 2-7/16”
• Weight: 53.5 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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

Vintage sterling silver figural jigger in the form of a jigger by Towle. The rim is engraved “Just a thimbleful.” Thimble jiggers became popular in the late Victorian era and remained so through the mid-20th century. The base is hallmarked by Towle.

• Origin: America, ca. 1960
• Condition: very good, a pinpoint ding on the side, just above the letter “s”
• Dimension: 2” tall
• Weight: 34.0 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

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 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.