A lovely antique Napier "Bottoms Up" jigger. Such a gorgeous piece. The "beaded" handle/ends are simply stunning and you'll find "1 oz and 2 oz" measurements etched on both sides of the jigger. This jigger or "rollover" shot glass was put across the top of the cocktail glass, filled with liquor, and then the bartender would twist the handle to pour in the liquid into the glass. Truly a cool antique 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 and their bottoms up jigger.
Maker/era: Napier Rollover Jigger, Mid-Century
Hallmarks: "Napier Pat. Pend 184638" is embossed above the handle
Measurements: 5" from handle to handle (please note: if the glass you'll use this on is larger than 4 3/4" in diameter, the handles will not be able to rest on the glass/rim).
Condition: Very good vintage condition with very mild signs of age and wear. The silver-plating is vibrant and in great shape overall. 1) There's some very minor "surface wear" to the bottom exterior of the jigger (extremely minor). 2) There's one small (pinhead size) spot to the interior of the jigger bowl that's not quite as "shiny" as the rest of the silver-plating. In short, this jigger is in very good vintage condition with extremely minor/general surface wear. It displays beautifully. Cheers.
We have a number of other Napier jiggers and Napier barware pieces. See other listings!
**On shipping: We take our packaging very seriously and carefully wrap all pieces to ensure safe delivery.
Inv Ref # S2XF