A lovely and scarce vintage gold-plated Napier Art Deco Cat Jigger, 1930s. This appears to be New Old Stock as it still has the original "gold-plated" sticker on it as well as the Napier Authenticity paper. This figural jigger has a 1 oz etching on one side. When you want to fill the jigger, you flip it upside down and it balances on it's tail and two ears. Then pour the contents into your drink. When not in use, it sits upright as a regal feline/cat. It was tough to capture photos without picking up other items/reflections in the room; we took photos in two different lighting settings, still no luck. This jigger is a vibrant gold tone. Any dark areas you see are our wood ceiling beams, etc. Naper made this jigger in silver-plated as well as gold-plated. Truly a gorgeous figural jigger.
A quick bit of history on Napier: The Napier Company was named after its president, James H. Napier, who led the company from 1920 to 1960. But the company's history can be tracked back to 1875 when it was founded as Whitney and Rice in Attleboro, Mass., manufacturing silver products. The firm changed hands and name in 1882 and became Carpenter and Bliss and shortly thereafter, E.A. Bliss and Co., Inc. After rapid expansion in the late 1880s the company moved to Meriden, CT in 1890. After WWI, the firm shifted emphasis from silver products to production of modern jewelry. James Napier became president in 1920 and the company adopted the name Napier - Bliss Co. In 1922, the name was changed to Napier Company. Like many jewelry companies Napier got into lines of art objects and other utilitarian objects like cocktail shakers. In the early to mid 1930s they started producing several cocktail shakers (most notably the "Dial a Drink shaker" and the Rooster motif shaker) other pieces of barware including their well-known graduated/stepped jigger, the mechanical/valve jigger, and their Art Deco-style cat jigger.
Measurements: 4" tall
Maker/year: Napier, 1930s
Hallmarks: "Napier" can be found on the tail
Condition: Very good vintage condition overall with signs of age. There's general "age" that comes purely from time. Here's a full summary:
1) This appears to be New Old Stock however there's general "age" that comes purely from time. Overall the gold-plating is vibrant but there's some very minor age that occurs over time.
2) The interior is in great shape and clean.
3) The paper shows age and tiny tears along the edges.
In short, this vintage jigger is in very good vintage condition with mild signs of age. Truly a lovely figural piece.
**On shipping: We take our packaging very seriously and carefully wrap all pieces well to ensure safe delivery. If purchasing multiple pieces, we'll combine shipping to a single box (or as few boxes as possible) and will automatically reimburse you for all shipping overages paid.
****Important to note pre-purchase: Buyers, please examine all photos carefully as we cannot accept returns due to the fragile nature (the possibility of breakage or damage when being shipped back) of our vintage/antique pieces. Our items are true vintage pieces that might have manufacturers flaws, flaws from age, or imperfections in general from being vintage. We try to explain the condition/description in an accurate and thorough manner but we ask that you please examine all photos carefully and ask all questions before purchasing an item as we are unable to accept returns due to the risk of breakage/damage..
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