Elsa Tennhardt (American, born Germany, 1899–1980). <em>Stem Glass, Part of Five-piece Set</em>, Patented 1928. Silver-plated brass, 4 7/8 x 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 in. (12.4 x 7 x 7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund, 85.213.6. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 85.213.2a-b-.6_bw.jpg)

Elsa Tennhardt (American, born Germany, 1899–1980). Stem Glass, Part of Five-piece Set, Patented 1928. Silver-plated brass, 4 7/8 x 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 in. (12.4 x 7 x 7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund, 85.213.6. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 85.213.2a-b-.6_bw.jpg)

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How many ounces do these glasses hold? What drink were they probably used for?

Those were designed by Elsa Tennhardt and were used for mixed drinks and cocktails. I'm not sure how many ounces they might hold, but they are certainly smaller than modern-day martini glasses! The idea of mixing alcohols into a cocktail was new in the 20th century.

I’m intrigued by the ice bucket, what should I know about it?

The piece is part of the American Art Deco movement. The style originated in France, but quickly became popular in Europe and the United States. Another growing influence at this time was the machine aesthetic. America in the 1920s and early 1930s was an increasingly machine-driven culture. American artists and designers who wanted to break with the past recognized a new beauty in the machine's appearance and function.

Tell me more.

This is a very chic cocktail set.

It was designed by Elsa Tennhardt. She was a German-born American artist. The set was manufactured by E. & J. Bass Company, ca. 1890-1930

The set was very cutting edge for its time since the idea of mixing alcohols into a cocktail was new in the 20th century.

Stem Glass, Part of Five-piece Set

Decorative Arts and Design

On View: Decorative Art, 20th-Century Decorative Arts, 4th Floor

DESIGNER Elsa Tennhardt, American, born Germany, 1899–1980

MANUFACTURER E. & J. Bass Company, ca. 1890–1930

MEDIUM Silver-plated brass

Place Manufactured: New York, New York, United States

DATES Patented 1928

DIMENSIONS 4 7/8 x 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 in. (12.4 x 7 x 7 cm) (show scale)

MARKINGS Stamped on underside of base: "E. & J. B / 9165 / U.S. PATENT #75939"

COLLECTIONS Decorative Arts and Design

ACCESSION NUMBER 85.213.6

CREDIT LINE Designated Purchase Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Cocktail glass on stem, silver-plated brass; part of a set with ice bucket, stem glasses, and salt and peppershakers. Glass has triangular base and irregularly shaped, curving stem that supports inverted cone-shaped bowl with three applied, triangular decorative motifs. CONDITION: Considerable wear and scratching to all surfaces, with minor pitting and place loss throughout.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Decorative Art, 20th-Century Decorative Arts, 4th Floor

CAPTION Elsa Tennhardt (American, born Germany, 1899–1980). Stem Glass, Part of Five-piece Set, Patented 1928. Silver-plated brass, 4 7/8 x 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 in. (12.4 x 7 x 7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund, 85.213.6. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 85.213.2a-b-.6_bw.jpg)

IMAGE group, 85.213.2a-b-.6_bw.jpg.

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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