Salt or Pepper Shaker, One of Pair
Decorative Arts and Design
On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
These salt and pepper shakers were inspired by small figurines thought to represent native South American Aztec gods and goddesses, such as the one illustrated here. The newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst purchased twelve sets of the shakers (one pair for each place setting) to add to an elaborate silver dinner service by Tiffany & Company that featured North American Indian figures on the handles of the silverware. Hearst also owned the large Tiffany & Company silver tray in this gallery, which replicates the famous ancient Aztec calendar stone.
MEDIUM
Silver, turquoise
DATES
ca. 1907
DIMENSIONS
2 1/4 x 1 7/8 x 1 1/8 in. (5.7 x 4.8 x 2.9 cm)
(show scale)
MARKINGS
On bottom: "TIFFANY & Co / 13319 MAKERS 1 [effaced] / STERLING SILVER / 925-1000 / m / 9"
SIGNATURE
no signature
INSCRIPTIONS
no inscriptions
ACCESSION NUMBER
88.22.1a-b
CREDIT LINE
H. Randolph Lever Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Shaker (a) and lid (b), silver, in form of Aztec female deity in tunic with arms upraised. Head unscrews with bayonet mechanism. Top of head pierced with many small holes. Pendant braids on rear, each set with small turquoise stone.
CONDITION: Some oxidation on b near juncture of a & b; two turquoise stones missing from necklace in front. Turquoise stone on back chipped.
06 13 1989, two missing stones purchased from Greenwood Gems. 10 West 49th St. and remounted by Kirk's Setting Co., 2 West 47 St. NYC.
CAPTION
Tiffany & Company (American, founded 1853). Salt or Pepper Shaker, One of Pair, ca. 1907. Silver, turquoise, 2 1/4 x 1 7/8 x 1 1/8 in. (5.7 x 4.8 x 2.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 88.22.1a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 88.22.1a-b_bw.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 88.22.1a-b_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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