Antique Nickel Sternau and Co. Wall Mount Cup and Soap Holder, Circa 1908

This is a wall mounted bathroom cup or tumbler and soap dish holder with nickel plating over a brass base metal. This lovely piece would have originally held a white milk glass insert in the soap dish most likely. The graceful lines of this date it to the Art Nouveau movement and there is a mark that says, “S. Sternau & Co NY” & “Pat. July 7. 08” on the backplate.

S. Sternau & Co. of Brooklyn, New York, was a maker of chafing dishes, coffee percolators and other household items such as these bathroom accessories since 1893. It had previously applied the name to its “Sterno-Inferno” alcohol burner. In 1918, it promoted its Sterno Stove as being a perfect gift for a soldier going overseas. The company invented the Sterno product around 1900.