-Zeppelin- cocktail shaker (contains serving elements) c. 1930

This Zeppelin cocktail shaker, made by J.A. Henckels Twin Works, embodies the fascination with aviation and modern design that characterized the early 20th century. Likely created between the two World Wars, this German cocktail shaker captures the spirit of innovation, but also hints at the darker side of technological advancement, as Zeppelins were employed during wartime for reconnaissance and bombing. As domestic design, it elevates the cocktail hour to new heights of sophistication. The sleek, streamlined form speaks to the era's embrace of industrial aesthetics, reflecting the influence of the Bauhaus movement and the broader cultural shift toward functionalism. The choice of materials, likely chrome or stainless steel, further underscores the machine-age sensibility, creating a sense of both luxury and modernity. Understanding its place in the social history of design requires that we look into trade catalogues, design journals, and company archives. We can then understand the hopes and fears that shaped the material culture of the interwar years.