Silver Plated Shaker
These silver plated shakers bring functional Art Deco style to home mixing through durable metal and silver plate.
Identifying the Shaker
A silver plated shaker serves as a practical piece of barware designed for mixing drinks. These items primarily appear from the Art Deco period, along with later Mid-Century Modern examples.
The objects take the form of cocktail shakers, often equipped with practical additions such as integral lemon squeezers, built-in ice breakers, measuring jiggers or swizzle sticks.
Most pieces date to the nineteen-thirties, reflecting the prevalent style of the era through geometric lines and functional bar accessories.
Materials and Construction
The construction relies heavily on silver plate and electroplated nickel silver over a base metal core. Some examples combine the metal work with crackle glass or cut glass bodies.
Manufacturing techniques of the period involved spinning or stamping the metal components, followed by the application of silver plating and decorative finishes such as engine turning or hammering.
Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical UK retail prices for silver plated shaker, calculated from the Sellingantiques database of over a million retail prices indexed since 2003. This retail price guide relies exclusively on Sellingantiques data; no external sources or auction records are used, so the figures do not describe the wider market.
Listings feature silver plated shakers predominantly from the Art Deco period, alongside occasional Mid-Century Modern examples in metal and silver plate.
Assessing Quality
Quality depends upon the weight of the metal, the durability of the silver plating, and the precision of fit between the removable sections. Substantial gauge metal and crisp detailing set finer examples apart.
The presence of integrated functional elements like lemon reamers, ice breakers or complete matching sets of cups influences the desirability of a piece.
Keith Murray·William Suckling·St Medard Paris·Lutz and Weiss·Gaskell and Chambers·James Dixon·Mappin and Webb·Harrods·Asprey·Charles S Green and Co Ltd·Wilhelm Wolff·Roux Marquiand
The Silver Plated Shaker Glossary
- Silver Plate
- A base metal coated with a layer of silver. This technique provided the appearance of solid silver at a lower cost.
- Electroplated Nickel Silver
- An alloy of copper, nickel and zinc coated with silver via an electrolytic process. It forms a durable base for many vintage barware items.
- Integral Lemon Squeezer
- A built-in reamer situated beneath the cap. It allows citrus juice to strain directly into the mixing chamber.
- Ice Breaker
- A specialised internal grid or spike designed to break up ice during the shaking process. It prevents large cubes from blocking the pour.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean a silver plated shaker?
Wash the interior by hand with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly to prevent moisture damage. Clean the exterior using a mild silver polish applied with a soft cloth.
Avoid abrasive sponges or harsh chemical dips that might strip the electroplated surface from the underlying metal.
Can I still use these for mixing cocktails?
Most vintage shakers remain entirely functional for daily drink preparation. Check that the metal components fit snugly to prevent leaks during shaking.
Ensure the interior plating remains intact and clean before mixing beverages intended for consumption.
How do I date an Art Deco shaker?
Examine the piece for maker marks, registration numbers, or stamps indicating the manufacturer and plating method. Stylistic cues such as geometric motifs and streamlined forms typically point to the interwar decades.
Built-in accessories like lemon squeezers and ice breakers are characteristic hallmarks of barware produced during that era.
What is electroplated nickel silver?
Electroplated nickel silver is a composite material consisting of a durable copper, nickel and zinc alloy coated with a layer of pure silver. It offers high resistance to wear and bending.
This material became the standard substrate for quality domestic metalware and bar accessories throughout the twentieth century.