Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Cordial or Cocktail Goblet
Hollowware (Stemware/Cordial) · Likely American (e.g., Gorham, Wallace, or International Silver) or Danish Export. The minimalist style is characteristic of major mid-20th-century manufacturers who produced high-quality sterling barware.
Pattern: Minimalist Plain Pattern, typical of the late 1940s-1960s. These pieces often lack specific collection names but were sold as part of upscale barware sets.
Type
Hollowware (Stemware/Cordial)
Maker
Likely American (e.g., Gorham, Wallace, or International Silver) or Danish Export. The minimalist style is characteristic of major mid-20th-century manufacturers who produced high-quality sterling barware.
Material
Likely Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Surface oxidation and high-luster reflection suggest a solid silver composition rather than silver plate, which often shows 'bleeding' (base metal exposure) in similar wear conditions.
Dimensions
Estimated height: 4.5 to 5.5 inches; Diameter: 2.5 inches. Estimated weight: 60-90 grams. This size is consistent with a cordial or a small individual cocktail glass.
Description
This elegant sterling silver cordial goblet exemplifies the Mid-Century Modern 'less is more' philosophy. Featuring a deep, rounded bowl transition into a sleek, slightly tapered stem, it terminates in a wide, stable circular foot. Its reflective surface is designed to catch the ambient light of a dinner table or bar, offering a luxurious weight and feel that characterizes vintage sterling barware.
Key Features
Seamless spun construction, classic modernist silhouette, high-purity silver composition without ornate engraving, allowing for personal monogramming.
Material & Composition
Likely Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Surface oxidation and high-luster reflection suggest a solid silver composition rather than silver plate, which often shows 'bleeding' (base metal exposure) in similar wear conditions.
Finish & Decoration
Polished mirror finish with no applied decoration. The aesthetic relies entirely on form and silhouette, typical of the Modernist movement. Slight tarnish and water spotting are visible.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Usually located on the underside of the base. Expected marks would include 'STERLING', a maker's hallmark (e.g., Gorham's lion/anchor/G), and a possible item number. The image shows heavy tarnish in the base recess obscuring marks.
Construction Details
Spun silver bowl and base joined by a cast or drop-forged stem. The join between the bowl and stem shows a clean, machine-finished solder joint consistent with 20th-century factory production.
Functional Features
Tapered bowl for concentrating aromatics; balanced pedestal base for stability; slender stem to prevent hand heat from warming the chilled liquid.
Handle & Grip Details
Central baluster-style stem, integrated as a single unit between bowl and foot. The stem is ergonomic and smooth, designed for a fingertip grip.
Craftsmanship Details
Excellent factory-level craftsmanship. The symmetry is perfect, and the walls of the bowl appear uniform in thickness, indicating professional spinning techniques.
Authentication Indicators
The color of the tarnish (warm grey-black) and the nature of the light reflection indicate sterling silver. The precision of the rim and the stem-to-bowl joint suggests high-quality commercial manufacture rather than a low-cost reproduction.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely USA (Providence or Connecticut area) or Scandinavia. Manufacturing would have involved high-precision industrial spinning and polishing in a factory setting.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern (c. 1945-1970). The lack of ornamentation and emphasis on geometric simplicity are hallmarks of post-WWII design.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1965. The silhouette is iconic of the cocktail culture era of the mid-20th century.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Cocktail Hour' social standing in post-war Western society, where sterling silver barware was a frequent wedding gift and a symbol of domestic sophistication.
Condition Notes
Very Good. Visible surface tarnish and significant water spotting/oxidation on the bowl. No major dents or misshapen rims are apparent. Needs specialized silver cleaning to restore luster.
Value Estimate
$75 - $125 USD per individual goblet, influenced primarily by silver weight and the reputation of the maker's mark once identified.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a high-quality silver cream like Wright's. Avoid dishwasher use at all costs. Store in a Pacific Silvercloth bag to prevent sulfide tarnish.
Similar Pieces
Tiffany & Co. Cordials (usually more flared), Georg Jensen 'Cactus' stemware (ornate stems), or silver-plated versions by Oneida (lighter weight, different marking system).
Interesting Facts
Silver was the preferred material for high-end cocktail service because it chills rapidly and maintains the temperature of the drink better than glass or ceramic.