A sterling silver and Nailsea crystal drinking flask.  This exceptional quality and highly unusual piece is one of the finest drinking flasks from the period.  It has an exceptionally beautiful feather-like design integrated into its crystal body that has remained in perfect condition.  The sterling silver lid is an extremely rare design and super quality. It is hinged, like many bottles and flasks from the time, with a piano style hinge at the back.However, rather than being a traditional bayonet style fitting this flask, or bottle, has a button trigger opening on the front. The lid then pops back allowing for easy access to drink from. The lid itself is very thick, heavy gauge silver and still has a beautiful snap back to meet cleanly to the neck once pressed back down. Another element that highlights this pieces quality is seen on the inside of the lid. Classic bottle or flask making included the addition of cork onto the underside of the lid to create a tight seal and prevent liquid escaping. This bottle has an ingenious spring piece of silver that closes down onto the inside of the lid to create the seal. A rare and beautifully engineered design element scarcely seen.

The feather like white design running through the body of the bottle is known as Nailsea glass. Produced in the late 18th and early 19th centuries in the town of Nailsea near Bristol, England, Nailsea glass is renowned for its distinctive decorative style. Characterised by feathered, looped, and combed patterns created by trailing threads of contrasting coloured glass, these pieces often display striking marbled and streaked effects in shades of white, blue, green, and amethyst. While the Nailsea Glassworks produced utilitarian wares such as bottles and window glass, it is the decorative objects—rolling pins, flasks, vases, and novelty items—that are most prized by collectors today. Celebrated for their vibrant, experimental designs and folk-art charm, genuine Nailsea pieces remain highly sought after and are an important part of Britain’s glassmaking heritage

The top of the collar on the bottle has an English hallmarks for having been made in London, England in 1891. The collar also has the makers marks of Norman Marshall. The bottle is in superb condition overall and would make a stunning addition to any home or collection.

In 1868 Charles L. Tiffany went on to purchase the Moore silver firm from Edward Moore.  Moore became a Tiffany & Co. stock holder and the general manager of the silverware arm of the firm.  In 1869 Moore undertook a very important part in the growth of the Tiffany & Co. silver business by producing its first silver flatware pattern; "Tiffany".  Under his supervision and artistic direction the company went on to win a string of both domestic and European accolades and went on to become the most respected silversmith in America.  After Moore's death in 1891 and Charles Tiffany's in 1902 the firm continued to dominate domestic silver, and be a real competitor in the luxury global market.  The firm even remained in the hands of the Tiffany and Moore families until 1955. 

This, therefore, is a very important piece of Tiffany & Co.'s history and a very rare and unusual piece from this time.  There are many sterling flasks of a variety of shapes and sizes, but very seldom does one come across such a fabulous crystal example.  The condition of the piece is exceptional with no issues at all, with the silver also in superb condition.  Made in America, circa 1880.