J E Caldwell Co 1920 Art Deco Very Rare Cocktail Shaker In Solid Sterling Silver

A tall cocktail shaker designed by J. E. Caldwell & Co.

Very rare oversized cocktail shaker, created in Philadelphia United States by the famed silversmith J E Caldwell & Co. back in the 1920. Designed with very strong and elegant art deco patterns and carefully crafted in solid .925/.999 sterling silver with very high polished finish. Fitted with an stylized handle, a lid on top and a screwed server tip, with a corch fitting inside.

Weight: 1,167.3 Grams, (37.50 Troy Ounces).

Measurements: 369 mm by 241 mm by 146 mm (14.50 x 9.50 x 5.75 Inches).

Engravings: Dedicated with beautiful engraved lettering, reading as follow; "To V*H*F* For there's never a bond, old friend, like this we have drunk from the same canteen".

Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark, the mark for the assay of the silver, the model number, the inventory number, the edition size and signed, "J. E. CALDWELL & CO. PHILADELPHIA STERLING 611 10702 5/9".

J.E. Caldwell & Co. was a major jewellery retailer and one-time silversmith in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The company was founded at 163 Chestnut Street, in Philadelphia, by watchmaker James Emmot Caldwell in 1839. In 1843 the firm became the partnership of Bennett & Caldwell, then in 1848 was renamed J.E. Caldwell & Co. It produced its own silverware until the early 1850s, but subsequently the word "manufacturer" disappeared from its advertising. The firm experienced rapid growth from the start, and repeated enlargements and removals were made necessary from time to time to gain the greater facilities demanded. The Marble Building located at 822 Chestnut Street was inaugurated in December 1858. Before its ten-year lease expired, the company moved in 1867 to its main location, 902 Chestnut Street. That store was destroyed during a fire in 1869. Caldwell went to work, and, before the smoke lifted from the ruins of the destroyed building, he had the present palatial structure contracted for. J.E. Caldwell & Co. acquired a national reputation through its silver services presented to battleships and cruisers of the US Navy. It exhibited at The Centennial Exposition in 1876, representing the American Jewelry Maker. By the late 19th century richly decorated table china by Spode and Mintons was being produced bearing underglaze backstamps indicating that they were made expressly for J.E. Caldwell & Co. of Philadelphia. After Caldwell's death in 1881, his son James Albert Caldwell became head of the company. In 1952 Austïon Homer became president, and the following year began an ambitious store expansion program. After a decline in fortune, however, Caldwell & Co. was purchased by Henry Birks & Sons of Montreal, and then in August 1992 acquired by Carlyle & Co. of Greensboro, North Carolina. Its flagship Philadelphia store at 1339 Chestnut Street closed in 2003, followed by the remaining branches in 2009. As of 2019 a succeeding company had revived the J. E. Caldwell name with a single store on Jewelers' Row in Philadelphia.

Note: Only 9 pieces of this model, in this size. has been produced by the company.

Note: This piece is extremely rare, with a gorgeous eye appeal and one of the biggest cocktail shakers we ever seen made by the J. E. Caldwell company.

Condition: The overall condition of this cocktail shaker is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the silver. All parts are secured in the settings. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.

INVENTORY REF: D061423MREN/37.60