Elsa Tennhardt (American, born Germany, 1899-1980). <em>Ice Bucket, Part of Five-piece Set</em>, Patented 1928. Silver-plated brass, brass, 6 x 8 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. (15.2 x 21 x 18.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund, 85.213.2a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 85.213.2a-b_bw.jpg)

Elsa Tennhardt (American, born Germany, 1899-1980). Ice Bucket, Part of Five-piece Set, Patented 1928. Silver-plated brass, brass, 6 x 8 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. (15.2 x 21 x 18.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund, 85.213.2a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 85.213.2a-b_bw.jpg)

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How many ounces do these glasses hold? What drink were they probably used for?

Those were designed by Elsa Tennhardt and were used for mixed drinks and cocktails. I'm not sure how many ounces they might hold, but they are certainly smaller than modern-day martini glasses! The idea of mixing alcohols into a cocktail was new in the 20th century.

I’m intrigued by the ice bucket, what should I know about it?

The piece is part of the American Art Deco movement. The style originated in France, but quickly became popular in Europe and the United States. Another growing influence at this time was the machine aesthetic. America in the 1920s and early 1930s was an increasingly machine-driven culture. American artists and designers who wanted to break with the past recognized a new beauty in the machine's appearance and function.

Tell me more.

This is a very chic cocktail set.

It was designed by Elsa Tennhardt. She was a German-born American artist. The set was manufactured by E. & J. Bass Company, ca. 1890-1930

The set was very cutting edge for its time since the idea of mixing alcohols into a cocktail was new in the 20th century.

Ice Bucket, Part of Five-piece Set

Decorative Arts

On View: Decorative Art, 20th-Century Decorative Arts, 4th Floor

DESIGNER Elsa Tennhardt, American, born Germany, 1899-1980

MANUFACTURER E. & J. Bass Company, ca. 1890-1930

MEDIUM Silver-plated brass, brass

Place Manufactured: New York, New York, United States

DATES Patented 1928

DIMENSIONS 6 x 8 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. (15.2 x 21 x 18.4 cm) (show scale)

MARKINGS Stamped on underside of base of bucket (a): "E. & J. B / PAT. AP'L'D FOR / 9166"

COLLECTIONS Decorative Arts

ACCESSION NUMBER 85.213.2a-b

CREDIT LINE Designated Purchase Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Ice bucket (b) and lid (a); silver-plated brass; part of set with stem glasses and salt and peppershakers. Ice bucket is triangular in plan, raised on two-step base, tapering out from top step to lip. The width of each side with an applied, thin triangular brass section. A separate lid with a triangular handle applied to the top, decorated like top edge of bucket. CONDITION: (b) Bucket: considerable wear to plating, most noticeably on two of three sides, and more so on all sides of base where half of silver surface has worn off. Surfaces with minor nicks and scratches. One corner edge with especially noticeable nicks. Interior worn with polish residue throughout; (a) Lid: wear to all surfaces with scratches throughout. One small area on top with plating worn off.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Decorative Art, 20th-Century Decorative Arts, 4th Floor

CAPTION Elsa Tennhardt (American, born Germany, 1899-1980). Ice Bucket, Part of Five-piece Set, Patented 1928. Silver-plated brass, brass, 6 x 8 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. (15.2 x 21 x 18.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund, 85.213.2a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 85.213.2a-b_bw.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 85.213.2a-b_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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