1940s Set of Mid Century Modernist Cocktail- Martini Shaker & 3 Matching Cocktail Glasses Made by London & Brighton

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The London & Brighton Chromium Footed Martini or Cocktail Shaker is a vintage piece made in the United States with … Read more The London & Brighton Chromium Footed Martini or Cocktail Shaker is a vintage piece made in the United States with a mid-century modernist style. The shaker is chromium plated, giving it both a sleek and elegant look. This original collectible set exudes a sense of retro charm and sophistication, perfect for adding a touch of vintage glamour to any barware collection. Its intricate design and high-quality material make it a standout piece for those who appreciate classic and timeless pieces. It has a beautifully shaped black Bakelite handle.
Here’s a little history about the London & Brighton company.

The London & Brighton Plating Company Ltd. is a manufacturer known for producing chromium-plated items, including cocktail shakers. Founded in 1946, the company originally focused on nickel and chrome plating and later expanded into other metalware, with some of its shakers being vintage pieces from the mid-20th century.
The London & Brighton Plating Company
Establishment: The company was started in April 1946 by Ernest Button, primarily doing nickel and chrome plating for X-ray equipment.
Expansion: It gained a reputation for quality and, by 1953, had expanded to undertake orders for the Ministry of Defence. In 1959, it took over the silversmithing company Plumbridges, incorporating silver plating and repair services.
Cocktail shakers: After World War II, the cocktail shaker saw a resurgence in popularity. Some of the company's shakers are identified as Mid-Century Modernism pieces, often featuring chromium finishes. Vintage shakers from London & Brighton bear the "L B" mark on the bottom and are described as chromium-plated.
History of chromium plating
Chromium plating became popular in household goods, including cocktail shakers, during the Art Deco era of the 1920s and 1930s, after commercial production methods were developed in the mid-1920s.
Commercial breakthrough (1920s): Researchers at Columbia University developed the commercial process for electroplating with chromium in 1924. By 1926, chrome plating was widely commercialized and became a defining feature of Art Deco design.
Superior to nickel: Chromium was favored over older nickel plating because it offered a harder, more durable surface that was resistant to rust, tarnish, and scratches. It also had a pleasing, blue-white appearance that appealed to modernist aesthetics.
Jazz Age style: In the 1920s and 1930s, the popularity of cocktails in the Jazz Age, along with the end of Prohibition in the U.S., drove demand for stylish barware. Chromium was the ideal material for creating the geometric, modern designs characteristic of the era.
Post-WWII revival: The popularity of cocktail shakers declined somewhat during the war but saw a brief revival in the early 1950s as returning soldiers embraced a new domestic culture with home bars. This was the era when manufacturers like The London & Brighton Plating Company would have been producing their chromium-plated shakers. See less