Moon Man Salt and Pepper Shakers
I acquired years ago as a gift this pair of odd little grotesque, spherical salt and pepper shakers that kind of look like the man in the moon. I’d like to get them checked out because I posted a picture to an AI and it said they were valuable, but you know how that goes. I’m just looking to see if there are anything in the ballpark of the value that I’ve found them selling for on eBay. They appear to practically identical to a pair of shakers listed on eBay as “Gorham Salt Pepper Shakers 1680 Man in the Moon American Sterling Silver 1881” but I’m trying to see if they are authentic and if so, what they could fetch me.
Approximately an inch in diameter.
Other
Yes
Hi Bill,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
The lion, an anchor and a letter "G" is Gorham's mark; the "Man in the Moon" pattern was introduced in the late 19th century and features a detailed, three-dimensional face of the "man in the moon" motif, often depicted on items such as tea balls, salt and pepper shakers, and condiment sets.
A pair of salt and pepper shakers virtually identical to these was sold alongside a similarly sized mustard pot with a spoon that protruded like a tongue and came in its original fitted box brought about $15,000 at an auction in Chicago in May 2023 but I think the mustard pot and original box drove that price as other salt/pepper shakers sold without the mustard pot usually sell at auction for between $400 and $700. I have found pairs of these retailing for a few thousand dollars but those are retail prices.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
A pair of antique Gorham sterling silver aesthetic movement salt and pepper shakers
in the "Man in the Moon" pattern, late 19th Century, pattern #1680
with glass eyes
Approximately 1-inch diameter
CONDITION: These appear to be in good condition
PROVENANCE: unknown
$400-700 for the pair together*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia
Hi Bill,
Happy to explain the difference between fair market (a low/high ESTIMATE for auction purposes, usually a guide to help bidders know what something is LIKELY to sell for); of course, the upside to auction is if 2 or more people like something and are willing to pay more to get it, the sky is the limit.
I had to dig a bit into the 1atDibs listing but I'm pretty sure the seller is Nelson & Nelson Antiques, which has been in NYC since 1975; it's the same seller who has posted this on Barneby's (if you look, the sale hasn't happened yet) and eBay.
The price they are asking is a RETAIL price; most dealers will post a HIGH retail price hoping to find someone who doesn't know the market, has deep pockets and is willing to pay that price without negotiating (most antiques dealers are willing to haggle a bit but they never disclose what they finally sold something for; if something doesn't sell I'm sure they will relist at a lower price). I'm sure Nelson & Nelson didn't buy these for anything near that price (probably within the $400-700 range I quoted you) and are looking - like everyone else - to make as much money on these as possible.
If you're looking to sell these, you might post them for slightly less than what Nelson & Nelson are asking, to have an edge over their potential buyers.
The prices Mearto assigns are always fair-market, for auction purposes, and based on real auction results from a brick-and-mortar auction...not a fake auction where people ask high prices and see if they get any bids/offers.
Does that help?
Thank you. This makes perfect sense. I actually approached this same seller to appraise the value of the shakers and they gave me an even lower quote than what you did so this all seems fair.
Can you explain to me, the context in which these shakers seem to be going for a higher price (admittedly, not final sale price, but still):
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/dining-entertaining/sterling-silver/pair-of-gorham-novelty-man-moon-salt-pepper-shakers-1881/id-f_46103082/
https://www.barnebys.com/auctions/lot/pair-of-gorham-novelty-man-in-the-moon-salt-and-pepper-shakers-1881-5f5hopv-620158670
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/167686991841
Thanks,
Bill Sweet