Designer: Robert and Trix Huassmann (1931 – present and 1933 -present)

Item: Ears Salt and Pepper Shakers Set

Manufactured by: Cleto Munari for Swid Powell

Country of origin: Italy

Year made: 1986

Materials: Silverplate over brass, steel and wood interior of peppermill

Dimensions: Salt and Pepper shakers each 2 ¾” x 2 ¾”, Peppermill 5” x 4 ¼” x 1 ¾”

Description: Here is a rare set of the Haussmann Ears salt and pepper shakers and the iconic ears peppermill. These were another important design for Swid Powell by the Haussmann’s. The shakers are very heavy and well-made, and despite their short stature they have a commanding presence. The shakers are scarcely found as they were only produced for one year, unlike the peppermill, which was more popular and was in production for several years. We have only seen a couple of these shaker sets in all the years we have been collecting and selling Swid Powell objects. Marked on bottom Swid Powell, Made in Italy and with the Haussmann’s monogram. We have deeply discounted the overall price on this set because the peppermill is well used and somewhat overpolished. We have sold several of the peppermills in excellent condition alone for the price of this entire set. The price we are asking is in essence for the shakers with the peppermill being thrown in for good measure. Examples of these can be found in the permanent collections of the Yale University Art Gallery, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the Museum of Design Zurich among others.

References: Tapert, Annette, SWID POWELL: Objects by Architects, Rizzoli, (1990).

Condition: The salt and pepper are very good with some scuffs and minor dings as shown and small spots of tarnish, but no loss of silver-plating and certainly forgivable due to the incredible scarcity of these objects. The peppermill is good with obvious loss of shine to silverplate from over-polishing, but no base metal brass showing through. The flash used in the photography highlights what looks like discoloration of the peppermill, but it is much less apparent in natural light and it is still quite presentable.