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

Item: Eared pepper grinder

Description: A whimsical but important modern design, often described as the “Disney” pepper mill, but according to Tapert's book it "is a wry take-off on Mickey Mouse's ears. But theirs is more than a Pop sensibility." Although Swid Powell did produce a silverplate letter opener and key ring exclusively for Disney, this was not the case here. The Haussmann's also designed salt and pepper shakers to go with this pepper mill, but those were only made for one year and are very hard to find. Examples of this design can be found in the collection of the Yale University Art Gallery, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the Museum of Design Zurich and others.

Manufactured by: Swid Powell

Country of origin: Italy

Year made: 1987

Materials: Silverplate over brass, steel and wood

Dimensions: 5” x 4 ¼” x 1 ¾”

Condition: Excellent. Appears unused. The only reason we are not stating this as Mint is that we don't have the original box. The photo shows a small shadow lower left that looks like tarnish but it's not.

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