Sterling Silver Roundlet Pocket Corkscrew, Art Nouveau Applied Decoration, United States, c.1890–1910

This example belongs to the roundlet family of pocket corkscrews, a compact travel design in which the worm is stored inside a cylindrical handle and protected by a threaded cap. The worm is removed and screwed into a central socket to form a T-handle for extraction. Such corkscrews were produced from the late 19th century as convenient travel tools and were often made in luxury materials.

This specimen is executed in sterling silver with applied Art Nouveau ornamentation, a decorative treatment typical of American silverwork around the turn of the century. The worm remains straight and sharply pointed, and the threaded body closes securely. Light surface wear consistent with age is present, but the mechanism remains sound and fully usable today.

Circa 1890–1910

Provenance Thomas Guenther

MEASUREMENTS
Closed length: 7.2 cm
Open length: approx. 9.5 cm (assembled)
Worm length: approx. 4.5 cm
Diameter: 1.3 cm
Weight: 36 g