A fantastic and seldom seen vintage oak and sterling silver pepper grinder from the famed 21 Club in New York City! Opened as a speakeasy in the late 1920s, the 21 club was a destination for artists, celebrities, politicians and old New York families to see and be seen, enjoying some of the finest cuisine and wines the city had to offer. When the club was sold and renovated in the 1980s much of the original tableware was sold off at auction, and this pepper grinder is a particularly lovely example. When the place was outfitted originally no expense was spared, so unlike most Hotel silver grinders that are heavy silver plate, this grinder is actually sterling silver and oak, with two applied emblems, one in silver and one in brass. The emblems feature the club’s street number, 21, and their iconic cast iron gates.

In excellent condition for its age, small bumps and signs of use to the sterling silver, what you would expect from a piece that was used in a commercial environment for decades. The wood has a beautiful antique patina without any age related splits or chips/cracks. The grinding mechanism still works perfectly! Measures approximately 8.75 inches tall. 

For more information about the 21 club and the ins and outs of their famous brownstone home, please visit this blog post: 
http://daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com/2012/06/21-club-nos-19-and-21-west-52nd-street.html