Napier ‘Penguin’ and ‘Esquire’ cocktail shakers, 1936-1940

Two outstanding examples of cocktail shaker design at its best by American maker Napier:

(Left) the famous silver-plated shaker in the form of a stylized penguin, the hinged ‘beak’, with cork stopper, lifts for accurately pouring the contents when shaken, the ‘head’ removes for filling. Marked NAPIER to the base, the piece was designed by Emil A. Schuelke and introduced by Napier (for the gifting season) in December, 1936.

Height: 12 inches (30 cm)

REFERENCE: 6867
Price Code: ££

(Right) the super-scarce ‘Esquire Man’ shaker, designed after the symbol of the world renowned ‘Magazine for Men’, first published in 1933. The caricatured gentleman with bulbous body and round head with handle-bar moustache, button nose and heavy-lidded eyes featured on the cover of ‘Esquire’ from first publishing through to the 1950s. The shaker’s body and cap in silver-plate and stamped NAPIER to the base. American, circa 1940.

Height: 12 inches (30 cm)

REFERENCE: 6846
Price Code: ££

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