Catalog: Vintage Arts: Decorative Art: Metals (215)

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.

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.

A nice 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 pick has a hook on the back of the rooster so that it can hang from the edge of the glass. Each is fully hallmarked for Birmingham, 1927. The picks are presented in their original fitted case embossed Abercrombie & Fitch.

Origin: England, 1927. Condition: all original, no enamel damage, box has significant wear. Size: 3-3/16” long. Weight: 13.5 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 delightful set of six sterling silver Art Deco cocktail picks with finials in the form of the Devil. The little naked figure grasps a flaming torch in one upraised hand and his tail is replaced by the business end of the cocktail pick. No doubt, the picks were intended to remind one, rather tongue in cheek, of the sin of drinking! Each pick is fully hallmarked for Barker Brothers Silver Ltd. The picks are presented in their original velvet- and silk-lined fitted case.

• Origin: Birmingham, England, 1929.
• Condition: picks are excellent; box is very good with minor discoloration to the velvet lining.
• Dimensions: picks, 3-17/32” long.
• Weight: 26.8 grams.

A sterling silver corkscrew by International Silver in one of the company’s 1930s Art Deco designs. Clearly patterned after the popular Scandinavian designs of the period, this design is very similar to “Royal Danish”, “Sonja” and “Norse”. The handle is marked with International’s older hallmark and the pattern number “NX14”.

Origin: America, ca. 1940. Condition: excellent, no dings, sharp details. Size: handle width, 4-5/16”; length, 4-5/8”.

A fine Art Deco 800 silver graduated jigger in an exaggerated flaring design. The sections measure 1, 1 1/2, and 2 1/2 ounces. The bottom is stamped for 800 silver and has an Italian mark used 1935-38 that was applied to finished silver goods already in the inventories of Italian jewelers and silversmiths.

• Origin: Italy, ca 1930
• Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms
• Dimensions: 2 1/8” tall; 2 1/2” wide at rim
• Weight: 36.0 grams

A rare silverplate cocktail recipe disk by Napier. The silverplate case holds a celluloid dial that can be rotated to show printed recipes for twenty classic cocktails. A jump bail allows the disk to be hung by a chain around a cocktail shaker or decanter. The rim is marked "Napier Pat. Pend." We've never seen this particular Napier design before.

Origin: America, ca. 1935. Condition: very good, very minor plating wear as is typical of Napier pieces. Dimensions: 2" diameter.

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.

A witty pair of Art Deco silverplate jiggers, the smaller (1.5 oz) decorated with a hand with one finger upraised and the larger (2.0 oz) with two fingers. The jiggers are heavy and well-made. The jiggers nest together perfectly.

Origin: America, ca. 1940. Condition: excellent, original plating completely intact. Size: 2-5/8” and 3” tall.

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”

Superb and extremely rare silverplated cocktail shaker in the "Ile de France" pattern by Meriden Britannia Plate Co. This is one of the most desirable of the high style Art Deco shakers. The ocean liner "Ile de France" was launched in 1926--not as the largest ship afloat, but intentionally as the most elegant ship in the world. This shaker was intended to celebrate that achievement and took its streamlined design elements from the ship itself. The pour spout protrudes from the side of the shaker at an angle and is strongly suggestive of the liner's angled bow. The shaker is severe in its decoration, using only stepped concentric rings to relieve the plain surfaces. The angular handle and cap are carved from strongly figured rosewood. The bottom of the shaker is marked with the pattern name and Meriden's marks.

Origin: America, 1927. Condition: excellent, extremely light surface wear to plating and a little bit of roughness are the edges of the pouring spout. Size: 9" tall.

A distinctive and very uncommon Art Deco figural jigger in the form of an English riding boot (variously called a jockey, field or paddock boot). The details of the design such as the pull straps and seams are picked out in a raised design. The jigger is silver plated and is extremely heavy for its size, indicating that its made of a high quality white bronze rather than a simple base metal. The boot's sole is marked "Made In England/Silver Plated/Approx 1-1/2 oz"

Origin: England, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent, extremely minor wear to plating. Size: 3-7/16" tall; 2-3/4" toe to heel.

A terrific pair of Art Deco sterling silver tension-hinged sugar tongs or “nips” by W. & S. Sorensen. The twisted upper handles are decorated with gilt crown-shaped finials and the tong ends repeat the twisted pattern of the upper handles. The tongs could be used for sugar cubes, candies, or even olives. Hallmarked by Sorensen. The tongs are very well made and are quite heavy.

Origin: Denmark, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent, all original, traces of original gilding intact. Size: 4-3/8” long. Weight: 30.5 grams.

Art Deco style sterling silver cake comb, used to serve spongy cakes such as angel food. The pattern would blend nicely with many of the Jensen designs. Marked "Web Sterling Handle."

Origin: Philadelphia, PA, 1950-65. Condition: excellent. Size: 11" long.

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, 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." It was likely made by either Watson or Thomae.

• Origin: America, ca. 1935
• Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms
• Dimensions: 1-29/32" tall
• Weight: 36.7 grams

A classic figural sterling silver thimble jigger, the rim ornately engraved “Only A Thimble Full.” The workmanship is very good and the engraving among the nicest we’ve seen. Marked only “Sterling,” it was likely made by either Thomae or Webster.

• Origin: America, 1935
• Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms
• Dimensions: 1-7/8” tall
• Weight: 37.1 grams

An uncommon boxed set of twelve Art Deco sterling silver cocktail picks with red bakelite finials in the shape of maraschino cherries. The picks are presented in their original velvet and silk-lined fitted box. Each pick is marked “Sterling Silver”. It's quite rare to find a set of a dozen picks rather than the standard six.

• Origin: America, ca. 1920.
• Condition: picks are excellent; box shows expected wear for the age.
• Dimensions: picks, 3” long.
• Weight: 24.8 gr.

A classic sterling silver handled jigger by Tiffany & Co. The simplicity of the design is relieved only by the slight flare at the rim and the curve of the handle, typical of Tiffany’s Deco designs. The bottom is stamped with Tiffany marks used 1907-47.

• Origin: America, ca 1930
• Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms
• Dimensions: 2-1/16” tall
• Weight: 63.5 grams

A very nice Arts & Crafts bronze round tray with verdigris patina by Carl Sorensen. The surface is decorated in uneven concentric rings of darker and lighter green mottled patination, separated by thin bands of polished bronze. The outer edge is finished with a pair of cast handles in a pattern similar to Georg Jensen's "Blossom" design. Little is known about Sorensen other than that he worked in the Philadelphia area around 1900 and his pieces may have been retailed at Tiffany & Co. The bottom of the tray is marked "Bronze CS" and "Carl Sorensen". The handles are marked "1196".

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, fine original patina. Size: 13" diameter (15" at handles).

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.
• Dimensions: spoons, 3 7/8" long.
• Weight: 43.0 grams.
• Condition: excellent, all original, no monograms; case is like new.

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 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 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 delightful and very rare set of 12 sterling silver cocktail picks with gilt Devil’s head finials presented in their original fitted box. The snarling devils come complete with horns! The picks are presented in their original velvet- and silk-lined fitted case. This is only the second set of Devil picks we’ve managed to find in over 20 years of dealing in vintage barware. Each is hallmarked by William Hutton & Sons, Ltd and has Birmingham date marks for 1928.

• Origin: Birmingham, England, 1928
• Condition: excellent, no bends, gilding completely intact, interior of case shows light wear
• Dimensions: picks, 3-5/16” long
• Weight: 53.8 grams

A good bronze footed trumpet vase by Carl Sorensen. The surface is patinated in a dark mottled green and is enhanced with parallel engraved lines forming bands decorated in a darker green patination. The small foot makes this one of Sorensen's more unusual vase designs. 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: excellent, a slightly flattened area along the upper rim is just barely visible when seen from the right angle. Size: 6-1/2" tall.

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 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 handsome sterling silver rollover jigger by Cartier. The jigger's two arms rest across the top of a glass or cocktail shaker. After filling, it's simply flipped over the empty the contents without making a mess. The bottom is marked "Cartier Sterling", indicating it would have been sold at Cartier's flagship New York store.

• Origin: America, ca. 1940
• Condition: excellent, no dings
• Dimensions: 5-13/16" wide
• Weight: 47.8 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 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 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, a few tiny dings visible only in raking light
• Dimensions: 3” tall
• Weight: 52.0 grams

A witty 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".

Origin: France, ca. 1955. Condition: excellent. Size: 3" tall. Weight: 49.1 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.

Cast iron boot scrape in the form of a Scottie in its original blue paint. The two long spikes that hold the boot scrape in the ground are marked "Copyrighted 1927 By Household Patent Co. Morristown, PA." The company made a variety of metal products such as weather vanes and boot scrapes. Excellent condition; about 5% paint loss; the back side has remnants of old fabric-based adhesive tape that could be removed. 10" wide; 15.5" tall.