FINE STERLING SILVER FILIGREED AND ENGRAVED AMERICAN
DESIRIOUS SMALL SIZE CHERRY BRANDY / LIQUOR / SPIRITS / WHISKEY
POCKET NIPPER FLASK WITH CUP
This is a high-quality hip
pocket semi oval shaped cherry brandy / liquor / whiskey / spirits flask in
fine condition. Note the rare and unusual cherry motif on both sides of the
silver engraved filigreed pattern, suggesting this piece was made for cherry
brandy or liquor. This pocket size “nipper” flask would have been suitable for
a Gambler, Sporting Gent, or Lady. This desirous small size flask was suitable for
any type of whiskey, liquor, spirits, cordials, wines, et al, and was made with
a cup for singular or multiple imbibers. It would be necessary to carry such a
container for sharing at family or friend gatherings, sporting events, gambling
halls, et al. It was also the custom in the late Victorian period to bring out
a fancy accoutrement in a Victorian flourish for admiration and sharing. This
small size was intended to fit in a jacket, pants pocket, or purse, along with
the bayonet style cap, would ensure the precious liquid is portable and
presentable for premium whiskey or spirits. This is a heavy duty, thick piece
of hand-blown cut crystal flask, only 3 3/4” tall x 2 1/8” wide x 3/4” thick and is heavy for
its size at a hefty 4.7 ounces or 133 grams. Although this size flask was
sometimes sold as a “lady’s perfume flask”, they are many times larger than the
typical tiny size perfume bottles that had an application rod inside the top.
Note this flask has the typical Whiskey / spirits type bayonet style open / closure
top with a built-in mouthpiece and cup. Thus, these small flasks were sold as
nipper flasks to both gentlemen and the Ladies for the occasional “medicinal”
nip.
The glass is very thick and
heavy, and hand blown into a mold. The base of the glass flask shows the
thickness is as much as 1/8” thick. When held to the light, the glass is clear,
and the flask appears to have been very lightly used. The top portion of the semi-oval
shape is silver overlaid in a 3-dimensional raised design with a late Victorian
period fine and delicate pattern of cherries, stems, and leaves with a background
of scroll work on the front, back, sides and shoulders. The silver is hand
embellished with line and very fine feather engraving creating a 3
dimensionally cut out surface, purposely done for eye appeal. Note there is very
little wear to the delicate feather engraving. The flask body has no dents, splits,
repairs, or alterations; the cup just has light handling marks, one tiny edge dint
to the bottom edge and a small round impression to the inside of the cup that shows
as a small shallow bump on the non-display bottom of the cup. The top has a
flat silver piece silver soldered to the neck that secures the collar that is attached
to the 3-pronged hinge that secures the bayonet style top cap to the base. The
top portion of the hinge attaches to a ring that secures the top inside and
allows the top to rotate to engage the notch in the cap and turn clockwise to
open and counterclockwise to close. The neck of the spout, the side and cup are
marked with the number 3, an assembly number. When closed, the top fits snugly,
and the cork appears to be original. I have not tested the flask to see if it
is watertight as it would leave watermarks. There are very light traces of gold
wash on the mouthpiece with generous amounts of gold wash inside the cap. The
mouthpiece has no chips and feels smooth when rotating a fingertip. The top cap
has one very small edge dint and a few spots of surface very light scuffing
from pocket wear that appear in one image as tiny grey spots due to software
but are hardly noticeable with the human eye and would be impossible to see if
the top were polished. The elongated oval cup has a pronounced lip for drinking
and rigidity that was silver soldered at the top with a snug fit with the glass
and stays in place. The flask stands upright with the cap, and the bottom of
the flask glass is ground flat so it will also stand upright without the cup. The
cup retains most of the original gold wash inside with slight fading from polishing.
The bottom of the cup marked STERLING and 201. Note the large Old English
script initials of the recipient hand engraved on the cup. This was a
presentation piece given for a special occasion such Christmas, Valentines, as
a wedding present, retirement, notable birthday, etc. The flask is not maker
mark, but the style is a known pattern from the late Victorian period, circa
1890’s. This rare size and Cherry motif create an eye appealing silver overlay
engraved flask with cup that remains in fine condition overall. The lack of
English hallmarks marks this piece as being American. This would be suitable
for any Cherry Brandy, Whiskey, Liquor, Flask, Gentleman’s / Lady’s accoutrement,
Presentation, or Object D’ Art collection.
PAYMENT
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PAYPAL & ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER, e-CHECKS & ALL MAJOR CREDIT & DEBIT CARDS, APPLE PAY, GOOGLE PAY AND ALL OTHER PAYMENT METHODS APROVED BUY EBAY.
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SHIPPING
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FREE SHIPPING & HANDLING FOR DOMESTIC BUYERS & TO THE EBAY U.S.A. INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING CENTER.
FOR USA PURCHASES, SHIPPING, HANDLING & DELIVERY IS FREE VIA U.S.P.S. FIRST CLASS MAIL (UP TO 16 OZ.) OR U.S.P.S. PRIORITY MAIL USING ONLINE SHIPPING LABELS WITH DELIVERY CONFIRMATION. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS WILL HAVE THEIR ITEM SHIPPED TO EBAY'S U.S. INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING CENTER; AND EBAY WILL INFORM THE BUYER OF THE ADDITIONAL SHIPPING / CUSTOMS / TARIFFS, VALUE ADDED OR ANY OTHER FEES, LEVIES OR TAXES. All items are shipped within 1 to 2 business days with email confirmation. Exceptions include holidays, power outages, and evacuations. Items shipped to a California address require CA State sales tax of 8.625% or a valid CA seller's permit # or the item cannot be shipped. All items are shipped using PayPal or eBay's online shipping service and are covered for non-delivery by their shipping service with free tracking and delivery confirmation. BUYER AGREES TO EBAYS RULE THAT SIGNATURE CONFIRMATIN IS REQUIRED FOR ALL ITEMS OVER $750, AND OTHER SHIPPING CHARGES SUCH AS U.S.P.S. EXPRESS MAIL MUST BE REQUESTED AND PAID FOR ANY OPTIONS WITH PURCHASE, AND WILL MAKE DELIVERY ARRANGEMENTS FOR ITEMS REQUIRING A SIGNATURE AS PROOF OF RECEIPT.
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TERMS & CONDITIONS
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ALL BUYERS MUST CONFIRM HIGH BIDDER STATUS AND MUST MAKE PAYMENT WITHIN 3 BUSINESS DAYS OR 5 CALENDAR DAYS AFTER LISTING ENDS; otherwise, Seller reserves the right to cancel the sale and report you to eBay as a non-paying bidder. Seller reserves the right to relist an item if eBay's system goes down within 24 hours of the end of the auction. Bids will not be accepted from anyone that is not a registered eBay user. Seller reserves the right to cancel bids from any eBay buyer who Seller determines has an unsatisfactory eBay transaction history, has changed their eBay user Identity in the previous 30 days, whose eBay rating is listed as private.
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SELLER'S RETURN POLICY
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eBay customers are protected when they are an eligible buyer, complete a purchase of an eligible item on a eBay's website, and purchase the item on eBay by using the "Pay Now" option, third-party checkout or an eBay invoice in one lump payment with a PayPal approved financial business. Buyers must keep their PayPal account in good standing. Buyers must show good faith conduct with the seller. Improper good faith conduct can include, but is not limited to, any means by which a buyer can attempt to unjustly benefit from the Seller's Terms & conditions or eBay's Buyer Protection plan. Moreover, good faith conduct does not include buyer's remorse, regardless of the reason. Returns will not be accepted such as changed my mind, found a better price, just didn't like it, Ordered by mistake, Arrived too late, etc. Returns will not be accepted and buyers will be reported to eBay when buyer makesfalse claims such as doesn't match description or photos, doesn't seem authentic, Doesn't fit, Wrong item sent, Missing parts or pieces, Doesn't work or defective, Arrived damaged. If you wish to take advantage of any of the issue resolution options available from the seller, you must have the business courtesy to discuss any potential issue within 3 days of receipt, and gain agreement with the seller prior to requesting a return through eBay, leaving feedback or initiating any online dispute process. By doing so, buyers commit to negotiate in good faith, and that they have not initiated any other form of resolution processing; including eBay / PayPal dispute process or credit card charge backs, or purchases where you have been or may be compensated by a third party. Possible buyer / seller resolution examples are: if seller and buyer agree that an item is significantly different than described and photographed, exchanging an item for a different item from the seller (whether listed or unlisted), credit from the seller against any current or future item, adjustment, trade, return, or any other arrangement that is mutually agreed upon between the seller and the buyer, and confirmed in writing via eBay's email system. These options are designed to expedite resolution of any potential issue quickly, easily and amicably, in lieu of eBay / PayPal on-line dispute resolution process which is lengthy, laborious, and allows decisions to be made by a 3rd party instead of the principals; i.e., the buyer & seller. Due to a myriad of International and U.S. Federal, State, Territory, County, City or Local law(s), ordinance(s), restrictions(s) or regulation(s), some articles shipped via U.S.P.S. may have restrictions and / or regulations that may apply to your article(s) shipped to a U.S. address. Buyers are responsible for knowing if any International, Federal, State, Territory, County, City or Local law(s), ordinance(s), restrictions(s) or regulation(s) may apply to your article(s) shipped to your ship to your address; and buyers are responsible for any loss if any prohibited or restricted item(s) shipped to your ship to address is confiscated for any reason. Any item returned must be pre-approved by the seller and received by seller within 7 days from receipt. If a buyer claims the item is damaged in shipping, it must send photographic proof on eBays email system, gain agreement with the seller, and item must be returned before buyer enters a feedback comment and before any exchange, credit or refund is issued. Buyer must use appropriate shipping, delivery confirmation and / or signature confirmation (items $250 ) and/or insurance at the buyers expense. Restocking fee, partial refunds and refunds are negotiable when buyers are dealing in good faith.
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ALL BUYERS AGREE TO SELLERS RETURN POLICY THAT SUPERSEDES EBAYS RETURN POLICY FOR ALL ITEMS.
v.9.19.2020