Set of Tiffany and Co 'Japonesque' Mixed Metals Shakers, NYC, NY, c. 1879

These extraordinary shakers exhibit vivid colors of various metals against a hammered background. A tubular neck expands outward to form the squared, lower body with bulbous corners. Beautiful curves create an intriguing and challenging canvas for applying the numerous exceptional mixed-metals inlays.

Each of the screw-off covers has uniquely sized holes for salt and pepper. The cover with the larger holes has a gilt ball finial - a clever way to differentiate the contents of each. The undersides are monogrammed 'GSM.'

Featuring some of the most amazing colors we have seen on silver, the mixed metals inlays include copper, fine gold, green gold, Japanese Gold #1, and Japanese Gold #2 (Shakado). These shakers have 'special' decoration, and Tiffany made at least eight versions. (1)

This mustard pot in the collection Metropolitan Museum of Art was made to match this shaker style. Moira Gallagher Ferguson, formerly with the Met., and Medill Harvey, The Ruth Bigelow Wriston Associate Curator of American Decorative Arts and Manager, Henry R. Luce Center at the Met., discuss this mustard pot in detail at a Decorative Arts Trust lecture, see here.

These rare shakers are marked TIFFANY & Co/ 5493 STERLING-SILVER/ 1847/ -AND-/ OTHER METALS/ 640.' They measure 5.25 inches tall, weigh a combined 10 troy ounces, and are in excellent antique condition.

Provenance:
Private collection.

Endnote:

1. Important Americana, Sotheby's, January 26, 26, 27, 1995, lot. 1411