Robert J. King and John Van Koert

comprising "Contour" beverage server, creamer, covered sugar bowl, four candleholders, salt and pepper, sugar tongs and pitcher with a tray

Design 1935-1965: What Modern Was: Selections from the Liliane and David M. Stewart Collections, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Montreal, June 30-August 25, 1991

"A truly distinguished gift... new Sterling Holloware in Contour by Towle," House Beautiful, December 1953, p. 107
"Last Minute Shoppers Guide to the Right Gift," House & Garden, December 1953, p. 125, no. 18 
Decorative Art : The Studio Yearbook 1954-1955, London, 1954, p. 73
Martin Eidelberg, ed., Design 1935-1965:  What Modern Was, Montreal, 1991, pp. 200-201
Charlotte and Peter Fiell, 50s Decorative Art, Taschen, 2000, p. 481 (for the present lot illustrated)
Jewel Stern, Modernism in American Silver, New Haven, 2005, pp. 198-199
John Stuart Gordon, A Modern World: American Design from the Yale University Art Gallery 1920-1950, New Heaven, 2011, pp. 370-371

the beverage server impressed TOWLE/STERLING/189/350 with silver mark the creamer impressed TOWLE/S.R/4024/64 with silver mark the sugar bowl impressed TOWLE/STERLING/22/lion/350 the candlesticks impressed TOWLE/STERLING/330 with silver mark the milk jug impressed TOWLE/STERLING/350 the salt & pepper impressed TOWLE/STERLING/380 the sugar tong impressed A/CONTOUR/TOWLE STERLING the tray impressed TOWLE STERLING 04 Overall in excellent original condition. The works of this set when viewed in person with wonderful sculptural presence. The tray with a few expected surface scratches for use. The interior of the candle cups with some minute discolorations. The condition of this set shows that it has been sensitively cared for and rarely used. A rare work to appear on the auction market.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In the words of the modern American Silver historian Jewel Stern, "Towle Leads with Contour: With the encouragment of his wife, the metalsmith Margret Craver, Charles Withers, the president of Towle, hired John Van Koert in 1948 as director of design to develop a progressive line of sterling flatware and hollowware." It was Robert King, however, under the supervision of Van Koert, who designed the Contour hollowware and flatware. Subtle and serene, Towle's Contour beverage set is arguably the most beautiful of the mid-century modern coffee sets produced by an American silver manufacturer. Furthermore, it was the earliest of them. As curator John Stuart Gordon has written, "Contour's sensual curves broke with traditional decoration but were in keeping with the contemporary interest in ergonomics, organic shapes, and a casually elegant lifestyle." This lot offers an extraordinary opportunity to acquire not only the reknowned beverage set, but also its companion hollowware pieces.