Napier Silver Penguin Cocktail Shaker, 1930

Details

Description

Napier silver plated penguin cocktail shaker

& provenance

this is a striking 1930s art deco figural penguin cocktail shaker, silver-plated … Read more Napier silver plated penguin cocktail shaker

& provenance

this is a striking 1930s art deco figural penguin cocktail shaker, silver-plated over brass, exquisitely designed by emil a. Schuelke for the napier company, meriden, connecticut. Circa 1936, its design reflects the playful yet streamlined spirit of the era.

standing at 31 cm (approximately 12.2 inches) tall, the piece features a detachable cover whose beak lifts on a hinge to reveal the corked pour spout and integrated strainer — making it as functional as it is decorative. The base is marked “napier pat. D-101559” — the design patent granted in october 1936. 

this is not a mere novelty: the “penguin – a bird of a shaker” model was launched by napier at hammacher schlemmer in new york in september 1936 and quickly became a hallmark design, produced until about 1941. 

designer: emile a. Schuelke

emil a. Schuelke was a talented american designer active with napier in the mid-20th century. He was responsible for several of their iconic art deco barware designs, including this penguin shape and a series of other novelty shakers. 

manufacturer: the napier company

the napier company, founded originally in the late 19th century and later based in meriden, connecticut, was known not only for its costume jewelry but also for modern, design-forward silver and silver-plate wares. 

in the 1930s, under the influence of modernist and european design trends, napier produced a number of imaginative cocktail shakers and bar pieces — the penguin being among its most beloved and collectible.

significance & appeal

iconic design: as one of napier’s most celebrated figural shakers, the penguin embodies both whimsy and sophistication.

art deco aesthetic: clean, streamlined, and sculptural — it’s a decorative object and a functional bar piece.

collectible rarity: though produced for a limited period (roughly 1936–1941), high-quality examples remain highly sought after.  

museum lineage: the design appears in reference works such as modernism in american silver by jewel stern.  

condition & notes

the shaker is usually found in silver-plated brass; light surface wear or plate loss is common, but well-preserved examples bring out the elegance of schuelke’s sculptural form.

the cork in the beak is in perfect condition; the hinged mechanism is a charming but delicate feature.

a complete, pat-marked base — with the napier patent number — greatly boosts its collectibility and value. This piece has an attribution mark,
i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
issues arising from misattribution See less