RZM Fine Arts and Antiques Inc: Ask the Appraiser

Dear Mr. Appraiser. I have an antique cocktail shaker that I would love to learn more about. It appears to be silver, roughly 13 inches tall and seems to be in very good shape. It has some markings on the bottom that I can’t quite make out. Can you please tell me more about its origins and value? Thank you.

Donna

The cocktail and the cocktail shaker are uniquely American inventions. Products of our culture which prizes innovation and spectacle. The actual “cocktail” based on my research, emerged in the United States in the early 19th century, and with it came the need for specialized tools, if you will. By the later part of the 1800’s, the cocktail shaker had evolved into a distinct object, both functional and symbolic. From the beginning, its design reflected not just utility, but status, taste, and the growing cultural importance of the cocktail hour. In the early 20th century, luxury makers such as Tiffany & Co. elevated the cocktail shaker into a refined art object. Some examples were cast in sterling silver, sometimes with elegant engravings or classical forms that echoed traditional tea sets. I should note that during Prohibition (1920-1933), the cocktail shaker took a more covert and often whimsical role. Because alcohol consumption was illegal, many shakers were designed to disguise their true purpose. I’ve owned cocktail shakers shaped like a lady’s leg, a rooster and a zeppelin airship. These forms allowed the owners to cancel their barware in plain sight while also injecting humor into this “illegal” activity. The cocktail shaker you are inquiring about is a perfect example of what I’m explaining. Formed as a golf bag with a golf ball handle on the lid, your silver-plated cocktail shaker was produced in 1925 by George Berry for the Derby Silver Company. I was able to properly identify the hallmarks on the base. This cocktail shaker was actually part of a set that included a tray and six matching cups. The tray had a golf ball on each side that was utilized as the handles. Your particular cocktail shaker is one of the more desirable shakers because of the golf connection. Therefore, the current value of this wonderful antique silver-plated golf bag cocktail shaker is $800 USD. I can clearly observe this shaker so little to no use, by the cork at the top. Alcohol would cause the cork to dry up and deteriorate over time. The cork looks perfect. Thank you for sharing this item with our readers.