Antique Gorham Edwardian Classical Sterling Silver Mirror & Brush Pair
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 11 in (279.4 mm)Width: 6.25 in (158.75 mm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Late 19th Century
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
Gorham Manufacturing Company
When silversmiths Jabez Gorham and Henry Webster started making coin silver teaspoons and jewelry out of a small workshop in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1831, the pair likely had no idea that their modest operation would one day become the largest silver manufacturer in the world.
While some name changes and personnel shifts preceded the foundry officially being established as Gorham Manufacturing Company decades later, growth of the business between its early days and the mid–19th century can largely be attributed to the work of Jabez’s son John, who assumed control of Gorham in the 1840s.
John Gorham introduced steam power at the manufactory. He entered into a partnership with Michael Gibney, the first American silversmith to register a design patent for a flatware pattern. Gorham wanted to expand the business, seeking to produce forks and spoons adorned with decorative flourishes adapted from British patterns. The company hammered out the silver flatware, which it sent to Gibney in New York to apply decorative patterns before returning to Gorham. Consequently, Gorham found Gibney’s work unsatisfactory, and he purchased his own rolling press to do the work himself.
The partnership between John and Michael soured but the company thrived. Sales grew to more than $20,000 per year, and the staff of silversmiths expanded. To keep up with demand, Gorham had to retire its horse-powered rolling press and import a steam-powered drop press from England — the first used in the United States. Designs created at Gorham drew on natural-world motifs as well as artistic traditions from all over the world — alongside its tableware, the company would soon be producing cups and pitchers adorned with polar bears and forest creatures, while tea services and other serving pieces were crafted in a range of styles that included Art Nouveau, Egyptian Revival and Rococo.
Around 1860, Gorham delved into bronze casting. When it opened a division dedicated to bronze work, Gorham collaborated with sculptors such as Daniel Chester French, Anna Hyatt Huntington and Alexander P. Proctor.
By the 1920s, Gorham had employed thousands of workers and had partnered with Danish modernist silversmith Erik Magnussen. However, the Great Depression ground production to a halt. The company was sold to Textron, Inc. in the late 1960s and it changed hands several times before it sold to Department 56 in 2005.
Today, the work of Gorham Manufacturing Company continues to be exhibited in galleries and museums. The RISD Museum in Providence houses a collection of nearly 5,000 works.
On 1stDibs, find a range of antique Gorham Manufacturing Company serveware and decorative objects.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Antique Tiffany Edwardian Classical Sterling Silver Powder BoxBy Tiffany & Co.Located in New York, NYEdwardian Classical sterling silver powder box. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Round and bellied with flat and scrolled cover. Chased and applied ornament. On bowl oval reeded fr...Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Edwardian Vanity Items
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique English Edwardian Regency Sterling Silver & Enamel Vanity SetBy Charles S. Green & Co.Located in New York, NYGeorge V sterling silver and pink guilloche enamel vanity set. Made by Charles S. Green & Co., Ltd in Birmingham in 1927-8. This set comprises 4 piec...Category
Vintage 1920s English Edwardian Enamel Frames and Objects
MaterialsSterling Silver, Enamel
- Antique Foster & Bailey Enamel, Sterling Silver & Enamel Powder JarBy Foster and BaileyLocated in New York, NYEdwardian Art Nouveau powder jar. Made by Foster & Bailey in Providence, ca 1910. Crystal with curved sides and short inset neck. Cut geometric ...Category
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Vanity Items
MaterialsSterling Silver, Enamel
- Antique Foster & Bailey Enamel, Sterling Silver & Crystal Vanity JarBy Foster and BaileyLocated in New York, NYEdwardian Art Nouveau vanity jar. Made by Foster & Bailey in Providence, ca 1910. Crystal with curved sides and short inset neck. Cut geometric ornament and stylized flower band; star on underside. Cover sterling...Category
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Vanity Items
MaterialsSterling Silver, Enamel
- Pretty English Victorian Sterling Silver & Enamel Perfume VialLocated in New York, NYPretty Victorian sterling silver and enamel perfume vial. Made by Harrison Bros. & Howson in London in 1885, Tapering and curved body and hinged ball cove...Category
Antique 1880s English Victorian Enamel Frames and Objects
MaterialsSterling Silver, Enamel
- Large Classical 2-Handled Sterling Silver Trophy Cup by WhitingBy WhitingLocated in New York, NYTwo-handled sterling silver trophy cup. Made by Whiting, C 1890. Baluster body with 2 bracket handles on dome foot. Incised lines, foliage, and stylized egg-and-dart motif. Scalloped...Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Late Victorian Vases
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique Gorham Reticulated Sterling Silver Miniature BasketBy GorhamLocated in Philadelphia, PAA fine antique sterling silver basket. By Gorham. In the form of a small handled openwork basket with decorative molded garlands to the exterior. Simply a great diminutive basket ...Category
20th Century American Victorian Models and Miniatures
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique Gorham Sterling Silver Chatelaine Sewing Needle Case w/Monogram #17025By GorhamLocated in Washington Depot, CTAntique sterling silver chatelaine sewing needle case by Gorham. Monogram appears to be MCN. A simple sewing case with a rounded square opening and small round loop to wear on a ch...Category
20th Century Vanity Items
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique Edwardian Sterling Silver Sash Buckle by BlackintonLocated in Philadelphia, PAA fine antique sterling silver sash buckle. With etched decoration to the front. These buckles were de rigueur accessories during the Edwardian period. Marked to the reverse with...Category
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Vanity Items
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique Belle Époque 1906 Heart Sterling Silver Celluloid Gentleman's Hat BrushBy William Comyns & Sons 1Located in Munich, BavariaThis unusual gentlemen's dress accessory in the shape of a heart is made out of sterling silver, celluloid and wood. It was made by William Comyn's and son in 1906. The brothers Char...Category
Antique Early 1900s English Belle Époque Vanity Items
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Alex Jona Sterling Silver Brushed Pig CufflinksBy Alex JonaLocated in Torino, ITAlex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, rhodium plated sterling silver brushed pig cufflinks. Marked Alex Jona 925. Alex Jona cuffli...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cufflinks
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Sterling Silver Mirror CompactLocated in Washington Depot, CTSterling silver mirrored compact. No monogram Smooth polished finish with applied leaf and flower design. Interior mirror and closed powder compartm...Category
20th Century Vanity Items
MaterialsSterling Silver