Tiffany & Co. Sterling Cocktail Shaker, c. 1890's

This rare cocktail shaker is one of the finest examples of acid engraving executed on silver that we have ever had.  The exotic design of the surrounding background and the details of the scene are superb.  Reminiscent of designs made famous by William Morris in the late 19th century, the background is acid etched with lovely panels of arts and crafts style leaves and flowers on a stippled, grainy background.  Designed in 1889, the organic and fluid movement of these plants predates the American arts and crafts movement by about a decade.

The large hunting scene on the front depicts two sporting dogs (pointers, we believe) pointing in a field. In the background are two gentlemen with shotguns approaching.   The back cartouche is engraved with an 'LGN' monogram in a script style.  The removable lid has a built-in strainer/ pourer.

The underside is marked 'TIFFANY & C0/ MAKERS/ STERLING SILVER/ 925-1000/ T/ 9727/ 2461/ PATENT/ 1 PINT'; 'T' being the date mark for items made from 1891 to 1901. It measures 7.5 inches high, weighs  15.10 troy ounces and is in excellent condition.