Catalog: Vintage Arts: Decorative Art: Metals: Silver (188)

A vintage Austrian silver stopper for a wine bottle or decanter, the finial constructed from a coin known as the “Maria Theresa Thaler”. These coins were first minted during the reign of the Empress Maria Theresa, mother of Marie Antoinette. The front depicts Maria Theresa and the back features the imperial Hapsburg double eagle arms. The abbreviated Latin inscription reflects her full title, “Maria Theresa, by grace of God, Empress of the Romans, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, Archduchess of Austria, Duchess of Burgundy, Countess of Tyrol” and includes her personal motto, “Justice and Clemency.” When the Empress died in 1780, the date on the coin was fixed in perpetuity. The coin had a very reliable silver content and became one of the most accepted coins for international trade—especially in the Middle East, Africa and parts of Asia. It ceased to be used as legal tender in the Austrian empire in 1857, but continued to be minted for international trading purposes. The coin used for this stopper has characteristics usually associated with early 20th century examples, and the hallmark on the stopper’s collar is that used in Vienna after 1922.

Origin: Austria, ca. 1930.

Condition: excellent, sharp detail, all original;

Note that the cork is too wide to fit a wine bottle, but could be shaved down to fit.

Size: 2-1/4” from bottom edge of silver collar to the top of the coin; 1-5/8” wide across the coin.

Weight: 45.0 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 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.

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

An elegant second standard (800/1000 pure silver) French tastevin. Rather than the typical "perles" and fluted "godrons", the bowl of this tastevin is decorated with repousse grape leaves and berries in the 18th century style. This treatment is the classic Dijonais interpretation of the form. The handle is in the tradition form of two entwined snakes grasping an apple in their mouths, thought to remind drinkers of temptation and sin. The tastevin is fully hallmarked and has an unidentified maker's mark (EE with a plumb bob).

• France, ca. 1925
• Condition: excellent, sharp detail, a small porosity blemish (1/4") under the rim on one side
• Dimensions: 3-1/4" x 4-3/16" x 1"
• Weight: 55.7 grams

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 English sterling silver, cut glass and bakelite cocktail pick set. Each of the pics terminates in a red bakelite cherry. The silver is hallmarked for John Grinsell & Sons, Birmingham, 1933.

Origin: England, 1933. Condition: very good, a few very tiny roughnesses can be felt with the fingertips (but not seen) along the edge of the glass. Dimensions: 4" diameter; 4" tall.

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 or enamel loss. Dimensions: 2-1/2” tall. Weight: 35.4 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 sterling silver vermouth dispenser in the form of a watering can by Cartier. When tipped, the dispenses sprinkles a drip or two of vermouth into the glass for the perfect martini. The bottom is marked “Cartier Sterling.” These cans were made specifically for Cartier’s New York store.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: very good, a very minor ding on the bottom rim and on the spill guard at the top. Dimensions: 3” tall. Weight: 51.2 gr.

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 also hallmarked by Gorham.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent; no dings, monograms or enamel loss. Dimensions: 2-7/16” tall. Weight: 51.7 gr.

An elegant second standard (800/1000 pure silver) French tastevin. Rather than the typical "perles" and fluted "godrons", the bowl of this tastevin is decorated with repousse grape leaves and berries in the 18th century style. This treatment is sometime see in tastevins made by Parrod, one of the most influential makers of tastevins in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The handle is in the tradition form of two entwined snakes grasping an apple in their mouths, thought to remind drinkers of temptation and sin. The tastevin is fully hallmarked and has an illegible maker's mark.

France, ca. 1925. Condition: excellent, sharp detail. Dimensions: 3-1/4" x 4-1/4" x 1". Weight: 53.5 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 figural sterling silver thimble jigger, the rim engraved "Only A Thimble Full". The workmanship of this jigger is very good and the engraving is among the nicest we've seen. Marked "Sterling."

Origin: America, ca. 1935. Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms. Dimensions: 1-29/32". Weight: 34.4 gr.

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 variationss of this jigger, but those by Thomae are among the best because of their superior weight and workmanship.

Origin: America, ca. 1935. Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms. Dimensions: 1-31/32" tall. Weight: 38.4 gr.

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 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.

A very uncommon graduated sterling silver handled jigger by one of Mexico’s most important Art Deco and modernist silversmiths, Juvento Lopez Reyes. He opened his studio, Plateria del Recreo in 1935, making most streamlined hollowware items in the Art Deco and modernist taste. The base is fully stamped with mark used by Reyes in the 1930s and 40s. The stepped sides of the jigger mark off .5, 1, 1.5 and 2-oz levels.

Origin: Mexico, ca. 1940. Condition: excellent, except for one very minor ding. Dimensions: 2-1/2” tall. Weight: 54.4 grams.

A fantastic figural sterling silver and stag horn graduated jigger, each cup in the form of a whisky barrel. The barrels are fully detailed with engraved staves, raised hoops, and bung holes. The jigger is finished with a polished stag horn handle in an amber shade. The portions are well-made with good weight and detail. The ferrule is marked "Sterling" and also has serial numbers and an indistinct maker's mark

• Origin: America, ca. 1920
• Condition: excellent, a 1/8" pinpoint on the the bung hole of the larger barrel
• Dimensions: 4-1/8" wide; 7" long

A rare sterling silver bar spoon/cocktail muddler in the "Aztec" pattern by Hector Aguilar. This very handsome design was one of Aguilar's most icon creations. The long spoon can be used to stir cocktails and is heavy enough to be used as a muddler, as well. The reverse is stamped with the mark used by Aguilar from 1955 until 1962.

Origin: Mexico, 1955-62. Condition: excellent, light surface scratching from normal use. Dimensions: 9-1/4" long. Weight 70.3 gr.

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 lovely set of Cartier silverplated cocktail picks, buffet markers and champagne whisks, presented in their original fitted and embossed case. The finial of each pick is pierced with “Shou” the Chinese symbol for “longevity.” The double-sided finials allow the picks to double as buffet markers, by inserting a small card to identify cheese, charcuterie or finger sandwich selections presented on a cocktail buffet table. And finally, the piercing of the finials allows the picks to be used to aerate a glass of champagne to keep the bubbles flowing. The picks are presented in their original fitted box, the silk interior lid stamped with Cartier’s Paris/London/New York mark. The bottom of the box is stamped “Cartier Ltd,” indicating the picks were designed and sold in London. Each pick is stamped with a serial number.

Origin: England, ca. 1920. Condition: picks are excellent; the box has wear consistent with age, as well as an old auction or retail label on the top cover. Dimensions: picks 3” long.

A figural Art Deco jigger in the form of a streamlined cat by Napier. Stand the cat on his ears and tail while you fill it to the 1 oz mark and then store him upright! The tail is marked “Napier”.

Origin: America, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent, plating intact. Dimensions: 3-11/16” tall.

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 set of six Art Deco sterling silver rooster cocktail picks by Albert Sydenham, presented in their original fitted box. The roosters are particularly finely detailed and are more three-dimensional than is usual in picks of this type. The interior of the faux-python box is stamped "JC Vickery", a luxury goods dealer that held warrants from most of the English royal family, as well as the Crowns of Portugal, Spain, Denmark, Norway & Sweden. Each pick is fully hallmarked and bears the date letter for 1927.

Origin: Birmingham, England, 1927. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: 3-3/16" long. Weight: 12.7 gr.

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 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 sweet sterling silver baby ring and teething rattle. The central silver piece shows a clock face where hands can be engraved to indicate the time of birth along with the date, year and the infant's weight. 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.

Origin: America, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent, no engraving or removals. Dimensions: 2-7/16" diameter.

For centuries, tastevins have been important accessories for French wine lovers, but until now we’ve never seen one that actually depicted “French wine lovers” in such graphic detail! Absolutely nothing is left to the imagination with this grouping of three. The unidentified maker is known to have made a similar tastevin depicting “Pétanque Fanny” merely lifting her skirts from behind. This very rare version goes quite a bit further, with Fanny in the clutches of a pair of old men. The tastevin is in otherwise traditional style. The side is stamped with the maker’s mark “MH”.

Origin: France, ca. 1920. Condition: very good, some dulling of the finish and very slight indentation to the rim at the top. Dimensions: 3-3/14” diameter (excluding handle).

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 very good set of sterling silver cocktail picks, the tops decorated with colorful enameled roosters. The use of the rooster (“cock”) motif in Art Deco barware was a play on the word “cocktail”. Each of the roosters is enameled in a slightly different colorway. The picks are presented in their original fitted case. Each is marked "Sterling Silver".

Origin: America, ca. 1925. Condition: all original, no enamel damage, box has significant wear. Size: 3” long. Weight: 10.8 grams.

An elegant pair of 1st standard (950/1000 pure) silver jiggers by Hermes in the form of tankards. Each is fully hallmarked by Ravinet D'Enfert, the company responsible for most of Hermès silver creations in the Deco era. The bottom of each is marked "Hermès Paris". The jiggers are accompanied by an Hermès drawstring pouch.

Origin: France, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent, no dings, no monograms. Dimensions: larger jigger, 3" tall; smaller jigger, 2-5/16" tall. Weight: 132.0 gr.

A sterling silver wine funnel in a classic Georgian design by the luxury English silversmith Asprey & Co. The upper rim is simply decorated in a beaded pattern. The strainer bottom is pierced in a starburst design. The piercing will strain out the larger sediments, and the funnel opens so a piece of muslin or a screen can be inserted to filter even the smallest sediments during decanting. The funnel is fully hallmarked by Asprey and bears the date letter for 1984.

Origin: England, 1984. Condition: excellent, no dings, no monograms. Dimensions: 3-7/16" diameter; 4-3/4" tall. Weight: 104.8 gr.

A very large and heavy sterling silver double jigger with a turned ebony handle by Quaker Silver Co. The cups are decorated with an ornate acanthus leaf and bead design reminiscent of Jensen and other Nordic designers of the early 20th century. The jigger is stamped with Quaker's hallmark.

Origin: America, ca. 1925. Condition: excellent, a couple of very tiny pinpoints along the rim of the smaller cup. Dimensions: 4-15/16" tall; 10-3/4"long. Weight: the silver portion is approximately 150.00 gr.

An Art Deco sterling silver handled double jigger by silversmith John Hasselbring (Brooklyn, NY). The angularity of the handle contrasts nicely with the traditional shape of the cups. Stamped with Hasselbring's hallmark.

Origin: America, ca. 1930. Condition: very good, a few pinpoints on handle and cups visible in strong, raking light; no monograms. Dimensions: 5-3/8" x 4-1/8". Weight: 78.7 gr.

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.