An antique circa 1908 heavy silver plated coffee or chocolate pot with scarab detailing, from Murray’s Roman Gardens in New York City! Murray’s Roman Gardens opened in 1908 as one of New York’s 1st “lobster palaces“ on Time’s Square, renowned for decadent cuisine and serving liquor all night. Sadly it did not survive prohibition and closed in the early 1920s. The decor was described as “decadent Roman-Pompeian-Egyptian-Babylonian grandeur.” This pot is a particularly interesting piece of NYC culinary history. After Murray’s fell on hard times they sold off some silver, and this piece was purchased and repurposed by Reisenweber's, a cafe on Columbus Circle in Manhattan that was known for introducing and/or popularizing jazz, cabaret, and Hawaiian dance in New York City (and also for introducing the modern concept of a cover charge).

In excellent condition, no large dents or damage, just the usual small bumps and signs of use you would expect from old restaurant silver that was used daily. The wooden handle has a little bit wobble due to age related shrinkage, but is still securely attached with some small bumps, scratches and signs of use. Very minor tarnish, it will polish up perfectly if desired! Made by international silver and marked on the base “Murray’s”

Measures approximately 5 1/4" Tall by 7 1/2" Long along the handle.

The interior photo of Murray’s is from the blog Restaurant-ing Through History, which was invaluable in researching and dating this piece. https://restaurant-ingthroughhistory.com/tag/murrays-roman-gardens/

More information about this pot’s second home Reisenweber’s can be found here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reisenweber%27s_Cafe