A lovely silver-plated muddler cocktail spoon by Napier, circa 1940s, measuring 10" in length. The pictures don't do this spoon justice (we took the photos at dusk time) but this stunning silver-plated spoon features a "squared stem" (four sided) with two twisted sections and large or over-sized gold-plated ball finial. The spoon bed has a lovely Art Deco cut-out pattern and a "flat" end for muddling. The two-toned metals are simply lovely. Truly a well-crafted, stunning piece.
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 the mechanical/valve jigger and a number of bar spoons.
Measurements: Approx 10" in length
Maker/year: Napier, early 1950s
Hallmarks: "Napier" can be found on the back of the spoon
Condition: Good vintage condition with mild but noticeable signs of age/wear. Here's a full summary:
1) There's what we refer to as "general surface wear" from past handling, how the piece might have been stored, etc.
2) The silver-plating is in good shape overall but does have mild tarnish
3) The gold-plated ball finial shows surface wear and a micro shallow ding in one spot (very shallow)
In short, this spoon is in good vintage condition with mild but noticeable signs of age. Truly a lovely bar spoon.
**On shipping: We take our packaging very seriously and carefully wrap all pieces to ensure safe delivery.
****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. Cheers!
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