The History Of Syroco

By Josef Lafricain of vintagecorkscrews.com

SYRACUSE ORNAMENTAL COMPANY, also known as SYROCO, was founded in the late

1890's by an Austrian woodcarver named Adolph Holstein. Initially the company produced

ornamental carvings for the interiors of fashionable homes, including the New York

Governor's mansion in Albany. As demand increased, a molding technique was developed

where Syroco could create perfect replicas of their original carvings. These molds also

featured a wood grain within the mold, allowing for a more detailed aesthetic. The recipe of

wood flour, waxes, and resins combined with compression molding created an inexpensive,

but high quality product. These early years of Syroco focused largely on furniture however.

As the 40's approached, demand for Syroco was waning with the new popularity of Danish Modern. Novelty items

became a new venture for the company; focusing on house wares, barware, and items for the smoker, as well as other

offerings. Syroco literature suggests that this was not a profitable time for Syroco, yet it allowed the company to

survive into the 1950's.

During the 1950's, Syroco started to change directions again. And, while corkscrews still appear in their catalogs of

the time. Highly stylized wall mirrors, sconces, and decorations became the company's focus. This may seem like the

beginning of the end of corkscrew production for Syroco. And, of course, ultimately it was. However, the fact that

many of the products produced during this time featured a gilt gold finish has started me wondering. Was it during this

time that the much sought after Golden Knight was introduced? Further, in early catalogs, Syroco references two

showrooms; one in New York and one in Chicago. In the 1950 catalog, the company references a third showroom in

Los Angeles. The Syroco sticker affixed to the bottom of the Golden Knight in my collection also references the three

showrooms. Thus, we can assume the Golden Knight was produced post 1950, while many of the corkscrews date

back to 1940, and a few even prior to that.

The earliest reference I have been able to find for these pieces is in a Syroco catalog from 1935...pieces continue to

appear in catalogs in 1940, 1947, and 1950. None of the catalogs that I have seen picture all the corkscrews that

Syroco made. Labels that are affixed vary which, as previously mentioned, may offer some dating. For example, early

waiter and codger pieces say SYROCO, while other pieces read SYROCOWOOD. Other stickers have shown

SYROCO New York, SYROCO New York and Chicago, while others added Los Angeles to their name plate. Other

variations also appear. Often times the Clown Syroco corkscrew appears with a sticker which reads "KING." This

clown, however, is pictured in a Syroco catalog.

As of late other syroco pieces have appeared. The most interesting in my mind is called the Tramp. I have seen two

examples of this piece, one in the possession of Jack Bandy. The other owned by Fred O'Leary. Fred found an old

Syroco catalog which featured a wood full bodied statue (not a corkscrew) with the same features as the one with the

corkscrew attached referenced as "Tramp," hence the name.

Picture of our Syroco collection.

If you are interested by Syroco products then see the Syroco tab of the Corkscrews For Sale section.