A sterling silver and crystal cocktail shaker featuring an acid etch recipe menu. The recipe cocktail shaker has been a staple barware piece with a number of makers from all over the world all interpreting it in their own, unique, way.  This version has no bells or whistles.  The cocktails and their ingredients are simply, and beautifully, hand acid-etched into the crystal body of the shaker.  Along with the cocktails one can also find the trusty rooster, or cockerel, engraved into the body in an aggressive, fighting stance.  The             cockerel was a popular motive added to a number of bar pieces during the Art Deco movement.  Perhaps simply being close in sound to the word 'cocktail'!

This very rare and stunning cocktail shaker is a real Art Deco talking piece for the home bar for the entertainer.  It is a very large bodied classic, three-piece, shaker.  Meaning; part one is the sterling top cap lifts off to allow the decanting of the shaken cocktail. Part two of the lid acts as the strainer with a grid base keeping the ice from coming through the spout.  Part three being the extra large crystal base which is where the ice and cocktail ingredients are added at the beginning of your mixing process. This design of shaker came in a few sizes, with this being the largest.  It is not intended to make one or two cocktails, but indeed on the body shows the amount of each ingredient needed to make either four or eight cocktails at a time.  A shaker for the host, or hostess, with the most!

The shaker is made by the American company; Hawkes. After immigrating from Ireland in 1862, landing in Brooklyn, he began working for Hoare and Dailey Cut Glass Firm. Upon learning the trade he decided to embark on his own venture, establishing Hawkes Rich Cut Glass, which then incorporated into T. G. Hawkes & Company in 1890. A year before incorporation the Hawkes company displayed its wares at the Universal Exposition, in Paris, where it won acclaim and a Grand Prize. Hawkes went on to become the one of the leading names in glassware in America, if not the world. His glassware was a permanent fixture in the White House from 1885 until 1938, and adorned the American Embassy in Saint Petersburg, Russia. In the company's prime, in the early 1900's, they were at a staff of around four hundred employees, and were up to three locations. Corning, NY, was nicknamed the "Crystal City".

The sterling lid and collar were also made by Hawkes, as they had taken this portion of the production into their own workshop by 1913, after usually outsourcing silver work to the likes of Gorham and Durgin up until this point. However, there are a number of pieces that were made for Tiffany & Co. and retailed by them using Hawkes glass. There have been exactly the same type of cocktail shakers found like this model signed only Tiffany & Co. and retailed by the luxury American retailer.

The design of the piece is superb. The two pieces of the lid fit well into the body allowing for vigorous shaking.  But, it is suggested that you must keep your hand on the lid to prevent it from coming off! The sterling lid and collar are in superb condition.  There are a few small raised points on the top of the cap, but are not noticeable, merely mentioned for transparency. The condition of the crystal body is perfect, and beautifully executed.  It is very much hand blown and can be seen my slightly mottled shape throughout the body.

There is the recipe, with fill levels, to make three iconic cocktails; the Martini, Dry Martini and a Bronx.  It shows the fill levels in order to make either four or eight servings of each drink. Once filled with your favourite tipple, the acid etching in the body will become much more apparent. The base of the        strainer is signed 'Sterling', and the base has the Hawkes logo etched into the base. A superb piece of American design history in a very useful size for those that like to throw parties.  Not only a useful piece, but also stunning as an objects in its own right.  It would demand center stage in even the most well equipped home bar. And, if lit from the base, really comes alive.  Produced in America, circa 1930's.