Photo Credit: Only-At-The-Antique-Boutique
Silver and Glass WWI Era French Liquor Flask
Buy It Now Price: $596.25 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)
Pros:
-This is a stunning example of an antique French liquor flask crafted from solid silver and glass. The silver portion is decorated with an engine-turned, diamond pattern emblazoned with an engraved crown motif while the contrasting glass is gently fluted.
-The liquor or hip flask first gained popularity in the 18th century among wealthy Europeans. By the late 19th century, every middle-class gentleman or respectable woman owned one of these discreet, yet portable drink dispensers. They could be used to sneak a refreshing shot of brandy, absinthe or other flavored liquor of choice at the opera, theater or a dinner party.
-This French liquor flask measures 5.875 inches (14.9 cm) tall by 2.875 inches (7.3 cm) wide.
-This magnificent piece of antique French silver was made by the renowned firm of Gustave Keller, also known as Keller Frères. Gustave Keller was headquartered in Paris on 22 Rue Joubert from 1891 until sometime during the 1920s. The firm of Gustave Keller was famous, winning prestigious awards at the 1889 and 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. The last Russian Czar, Nicholas II, also admired the firm of Gustave Keller and often bought items from them.
-This antique French liquor flask is stamped with the French 1st quality hallmark on both its lid and base, indicating that it is made from high purity, 950 fine solid silver. The interior of the silver parts are also richly gilded. These are exactly the attributes you would expect for such a fine piece of antique French silver.
-Given that the restrained, geometric style of this French liquor flask seems to foreshadow the starkly linear design language of Art Deco, I would tentatively date it to around the World War I era. However, it could conceivably have been produced anywhere from about 1900 to 1922, the last active date for its hallmarks.
-Some antiques perfectly embody the zeitgeist of their time, possessing that conspicuous “it” factor. This silver and glass French liquor flask is one of those antiques. You can clearly imagine a jaded French World War I soldier fresh from the trenches who is sitting in a dingy Parisian café taking liquor shots from this flask in order to forget the horrors he has seen.
Cons:
-This French liquor flask is almost perfect…almost. Unfortunately, it violates one of the five rules of investment grade antiques. The glass portion is not durable, relatively speaking. This reduces the desirability of the piece from an investment standpoint. However, because it is nearly so perfect in every other aspect, I would still consider this antique French liquor flask a reasonable investment at only $596.
