See more objects with the tag cocktail set, silver-plated, barware, cocktail.

Object Timeline

  • We acquired this object.

1928

  • Work on this object began.

2015

2017

2025

  • You found it!

Cocktail Shaker Cocktail Shaker

This is a cocktail shaker. It was manufactured by Meriden Silver Plate Company and International Silver Company. It is dated 1928. Its medium is silver plated, nickel, catalin. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

This cocktail shaker takes the rigid form of the modern American skyscraper. It rises from its widest and sturdiest point at its base into a series of narrowing setbacks, mimicking the architectural profile of some of New York City’s tallest buildings. This cocktail shaker marks a departure in the production of the Meriden Silver Plate Company, which had previously primarily produced tablewares and flatware in historically-inspired patterns rich with decoration. The pared down simplicity of this shaker exhibits modernism’s penchant for smooth unadorned surfaces. The orange Catalin stopper provides a welcome note of color. This shaker is not only modern in its form but it also makes use of patented technology in the stopper. As John Stuart Gordon has pointed out, the Catalin knob was integral to the function of the shaker as a stopper. When depressed, it sealed the shaker. When pulled up, it unplugged the spout and the contents of the inverted shaker flowed out around it. Therefore, a host could pour a drink without worry of misplacing the stopper.[1] The patent date (January 11, 1927) appears on the underside of the shaker and on the strainer and spout apparatus.

This object was donated by George R. Kravis II. It is credited Gift of George R. Kravis II.

Our curators have highlighted 3 objects that are related to this one.

  • Table Bell Bell
  • metal, chromium, bakelite (tm).
  • Gift of Mel Byars.
  • 1991-59-92

Its dimensions are

H x diam. (overall a,b): 31.8 × 11 cm (12 1/2 × 4 5/16 in.) H x diam. (shaker a): 27.4 × 11 cm (10 13/16 × 4 5/16 in.) H x diam. (cap b with finial): 6.3 × 7.6 cm (2 1/2 in. × 3 in.) H x diam. (strainer): 2.8 × 7 cm (1 1/8 × 2 3/4 in.) H x diam. (finial): 3.1 × 3 cm (1 1/4 × 1 3/16 in.)

It has the following markings

Under base of shaker: [1] “MERIDEN S. P. CO.” over “INTERNATIONAL S. CO.,” in a rounded arch centering a rampant lion holding an urn, impressed (manufacturer’s mark, Meriden Silver Plate Company and International Silver Company) [2] "PATENTED/JAN.11.1927”, impressed (patent date) [3] "378” over “48 OZ”, impressed (model number and volume) On inner rim of strainer: [1] “PAT’D JAN 11-1927”, impressed (patent date) On underside of spout cap: [1] “PAT’D JAN 11-1927”, impressed (patent date)

Cite this object as

Cocktail Shaker Cocktail Shaker; Manufactured by Meriden Silver Plate Company (United States), International Silver Company (United States); silver plated, nickel, catalin; H x diam. (overall a,b): 31.8 × 11 cm (12 1/2 × 4 5/16 in.) H x diam. (shaker a): 27.4 × 11 cm (10 13/16 × 4 5/16 in.) H x diam. (cap b with finial): 6.3 × 7.6 cm (2 1/2 in. × 3 in.) H x diam. (strainer): 2.8 × 7 cm (1 1/8 × 2 3/4 in.) H x diam. (finial): 3.1 × 3 cm (1 1/4 × 1 3/16 in.); Gift of George R. Kravis II; 2018-22-46-a,b

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition The Jazz Age: American Style in the 1920s.

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<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/404536715/ |title=Cocktail Shaker Cocktail Shaker |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=10 March 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>