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Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

American

For nearly 160 years, the Gorham Manufacturing Company turned out a wide range of beautiful silver flatware, tea sets, serving bowls and other silver pieces, indelibly influencing the field of decorative arts in ways that still resonate.

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.

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Creator: Gorham Manufacturing Company
Dealer: Tudor Rose Antiques
Pair of Neoclassical-Style Parcel Gilt Coin Silver Footed Salt Cellars By Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Neoclassical Style, parcel-gilt, Coin Silver (.900) footed salt cellars, American, Ca. 1850's (underside of each salt cellar is lightly engraved with script initials - NSG -...
Category

1850s American Neoclassical Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Gold, Sterling Silver

Rare Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Gorham Martele Footed Inkstand with Hinged Lid
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Fabulous, rare, sterling silver (.950) Art Nouveau, Martele inkstand with ball feet and hinged lid, the Gorham Manufacturing Corp., Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1905. According to the PTB mark on the underside, most probably, the Gorham silversmith who made it...
Category

1890s American Art Nouveau Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Victorian Period, Sterling Silver Mustache Cup by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Period, sterling silver mustache cup, Gorham manufacturing Corp., Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1895. Measures 3 inches high x 3 inches diamet...
Category

1890s American Victorian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Leaf-Form Bonbon Dish By Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Art Nouveau pattern, sterling silver, leaf-form bonbon dish, Gorham Manufacturing Co., Providence, Rhode Island, year-hallmarked for 1933. A photo of one of these dishes appears in t...
Category

1930s American Art Nouveau Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver Business/Calling Card Case In Original Box
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Lovely, Aesthetic Movement, sterling silver, bright cut, business/calling card case, Gorham Manufacturing Co., Providence, Rhode Island, Ca. 1870's. Holds a standard size business ca...
Category

1870s American Aesthetic Movement Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver-Gilt Calling Card/Business Card Case
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Period/Aesthetic Movement calling card/business card case with hinged lid and original chain, Gorham Manufacturing Company, Providence, Rhode island, Ca. 1875. The case is...
Category

1870s American Aesthetic Movement Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Gold, Sterling Silver

Victorian Sterling Silver-Mounted Decanter and 4 Matching Glasses, Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Period, sterling silver-mounted decanter with hinged lid and having four matching glasses, Gorham Manufacturing Company, Providence, Rhode Island, year-hallmarked for 1894....
Category

1890s American Victorian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Very Large Art Deco Period Solid Sterling Silver Serving Platter/Tray by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Very large, Art Deco Period, solid sterling silver serving platter/tray, Gorham Manufacturing Company, Providence, Rhode Island, Ca. 1935. Measures 20 1/2 inches long x 14 1/2 inches...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Art Nouveau - Style Sterling Silver Pedestal, Based Vase by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Art Nouveau-Style, sterling silver, pedestal-based vase, Gorham Mfg. Company, Providence, Rhode Island, year-hallmarked for 1923. Hammered in design and chased with flowers. Measures...
Category

1920s American Art Nouveau Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Large Art Deco Period Solid Sterling Silver Serving Platter By Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Large, Art Deco Period, solid sterling silver serving platter/tray, Gorham Manufacturing Co., Providence, Rhode Island, year-hallmarked for 1933. Measures 18 3/4 inches wide (at wid...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Lovely Sterling Silver Gorham Edwardian-Style Cake Basket on Pedestal Base
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Lovely, sterling silver, Edwardian-style, cake basket on pedestal base, Gorham Manufacturing Co., Providence, Rhode Island, year-marked for 1916. Beautiful pierced work. Silver is li...
Category

1910s American Edwardian Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Neoclassical Style, Victorian Period Sterling Silver Tazza by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Neoclassical style, Victorian period, sterling silver tazza, Gorham Manufacturing Co., Providence, Rhode Island, year hallmarked for 1901. Decorated with grapes and mythological face...
Category

Early 1900s American Neoclassical Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Beautiful Victorian-Style Sterling Silver Centerpiece Bowl By Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful, Victorian-Style (made in the Edwardian Period), centerpiece bowl (possible Old Chantilly), Gorham Manufacturing Company, Providence,m for 1905. Floral, swirled border, f...
Category

Early 1900s American Victorian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Pedestal Based Pierced Cake/Cookie Basket/Platter
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Art Nouveau, sterling silver, pedestal based, cake/cookie platter/basket, Gorham Manufacturing Company, Providence, Rhode Island, year-hallmarked for 1918. Lightly hammered in desig...
Category

1910s American Art Nouveau Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Neoclassical Sterling Silver Child's Cup/Mug by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Neoclassical, sterling silver child's mug/cup, Gorham Mfg. Co, Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1860. Handle is decorated with a neoclassical woman's head. Interior is lightly gilded....
Category

1860s American Neoclassical Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

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Antique English Sterling Silver Card Case Mappin & Webb 1904
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Large and Heavy Gorham Chippendale Sterling Silver Serving Tray
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Rare Gucci Solid Sterling Silver Lion's Paw Letter Opener
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Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

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Gorham 'Narragansett' Sterling- Silver Shell Dish & Figural Crab Spoon
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gorham 'Narragansett' Sterling- Silver Shell Dish & Figural Crab Spoon USA, circa 1890s A rare find, two piece set in one of scarcest patterns of the Gorham Mfg. Co. 'Narragansett', a sculptural Shell Dish & Figural Crab Spoon, this offering is the example without a slight gold wash finish. This sterling silver shell oyster shell complete with figural crab spoon, a diminutive work, yet a captivating piece is a true testament to the artistry of Gorhams American Aesthetic silversmithing. The oval shell is skillfully encrusted with barnacles, creating a mesmerizing texture, and is raised on a smaller vertical rough piddock shell, complete with a rare addition a intertwined rope crab encrusted nautilus spoon. The shell dish bears the hallmarks of Gorham Silver Company. The serving dish speaks volumes of its quality. Its dimensions, measuring 1.5 inches high, 4.5 inches wide, and 2.5 inches deep, are complemented by the 5-inch by 1-inch wide three-dimensional crab-encrusted nautilus spoon, apparently unmarked. This duo is a rare and unique find, a captivating addition to any table service or collection. Weighing in approximately 5 ounces of sterling silver, this set not only highlights the exceptional craftsmanship of the short lived aesthetic period, embodying the essence of mindful, high-quality Victorian artistry. We are pleased to let you know at the time of posting we are offering another example Gorham 'Narragansett' Gold Washed Sterling Shell Dish...
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Late 19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

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Gorham Sterling Silver 1886 Table Top Double Inkwell
By Gorham
Located in New York, NY
Gorham sterling silver tabletop double inkwell from 1886 with intricately pierced figural gallery. It contains two glass inkwells with sterling silver caps and has an open compartment with hinged door. A great gift and addition to one's home or collection. It measures 7 3/4'' in length by 2 7/8'' in height by 4 3/4'' in depth, and bears hallmarks and monograms as shown. During the heyday of American silver manufacturing–approximately 1850 to 1940–Gorham was one of the most influential. The White House has used Gorham silver services...
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1880s American Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

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Antique English Sterling Silver Playing Card Box, 1899
By Levi & Salaman
Located in Bath, GB
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1890s English Late Victorian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Victorian Sterling Silver Gilt Goblet
By Daniel & Charles Houle
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian sterling silver gilt goblet; an addition to our wine and drinks related silverware collection. This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver gilt goblet has a circular bell shaped form onto a knopped pedestal and circular spreading foot, in the classic pineapple style. The body of this impressive antique silver goblet is composed of chased and embossed lozenge shaped convex panels, replicating the fruitlets/spikes of a pineapple, each ornamented with a quatrefoil-floral design. The decoration to the body incorporates an impressive quatrefoil shaped cartouche displaying the contemporary engraved monogram initials 'HM'. The upper rim is encompassed with an applied band of bead decoration. The waisted pedestal features a circular knop to the centre encircled with further floral motifs. The circular spreading foot is encompassed with a continuation of segmented lozenge panels, reflecting that of the body. This sterling silver goblet retains the original gilding; the gilding to the exterior of the goblet has worn with age in a sympathetic fashion. Condition This antique 1800s silver gilt goblet is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional presentation condition. Full hallmarks struck to the surface of this Victorian silver goblet...
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1860s British Victorian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

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Previously Available Items
Pair of Neoclassical Style American Coin Silver Medallion Bud Vases By Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of American Coin Silver (.900), Neoclassical-style Medallion bud vases, Gorham Mfg. Co., Providence, Rhode Island, Ca. 1875. Each vase has 3 lovely Neoclassical medallions aroun...
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1870s American Neoclassical Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

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Sterling Silver

Victorian Period Large Sterling Silver Water Pitcher on Pedestal Base by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Large, Victorian Period, sterling silver water pitcher (possibly Old Chantilly) on pedestal base, Gorham Manufacturing Corp., Providence, Rhode Island, year-hallmarked for 1903. Meas...
Category

Early 1900s American Victorian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of Sterling Silver Neoclassical-Style Corinthian Column Candlesticks
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Edwardian Period, sterling silver, neoclassical-Style Corinthian Column candlesticks, Gorham Manufacturing Corp., Providence, Rhode Island, year-hallmarked for 1906. Each can...
Category

Early 1900s American Neoclassical Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Victorian Period Sterling Silver Heart-Form Trinkets Box by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Period, sterling silver heart-form trinkets box, Gorham Manufacturing Company, Providence, Rhode Island, year-hallmarked for 1893. Measures 3 inches wide (at widest point) ...
Category

1890s American Victorian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of Sterling Silver Neoclassical-Style Corinthian Column-Form Candlesticks
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Edwardian period, Neoclassical-Style sterling silver candlesticks, Gorham Manufacturing Co., Providence, Rhode Island, year-hallmarked for 1906. Each candlestick measures 8 1...
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Early 1900s American Neoclassical Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

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Edwardian-Style Sterling Silver Picture Frame with Wood Back
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian-style, sterling silver picture frame with wood back, Gorham Manufacturing Co., Providence, Rhode Island, Ca. 1940's. Frame will stand both horizontally and vertically. Outs...
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1940s American Edwardian Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

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Sterling Silver

Victorian Period Sterling Silver Soap Box with Hinged Lid, Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Period, sterling silver soap box with hinged lid, Gorham Mfg. Co., Providence, Rhode Island, year hallmarked for 1899. Measures 3 in...
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1890s American Victorian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

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Sterling Silver, Gold

Victorian Period Sterling Silver-Mounted Controlled Bubbles Crystal Inkwell
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian period, sterling silver-mounted controlled bubbles crystal inkwell with hinged lid, Gorham Mfg. Corp., Providence, Rhode Island, Ca. 1895. Interior of sterling silver hinge...
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1890s American Victorian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

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Crystal, Sterling Silver

Victorian Period Sterling Silver Mug/Cup by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Period, sterling silver mug/cup, Gorham Mfg. Co, Providence, Rhode Island, year hallmarked for 1890. Decorated with leaves and flowers. Handle fans out in design. Measures ...
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1890s American Victorian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Victorian Style Sterling Silver - Mounted Crystal Heart-Shaped "Trinkets" Box
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian - Style, sterling silver and cut crystal heart-shaped "trinkets" box, The Gorham Corp., Providence, Rhode Island, Ca. 1950's. Measures 2 1/4 inches high x 4 1/4 inches ac...
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1950s American Victorian Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Victorian Sterling Silver Picture Frame by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian, sterling silver picture frame, Gorham Mfg. Co., Providence, Rhode Island, year-hallmarked for 1894. Measures 6 inches high x 6 inches wide; when easel is in open position,...
Category

1890s American Victorian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Unusual Victorian Footed Sterling Silver Toast Rack by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Unusual, Victorian, footed, sterling silver toast rack Gorham Manufacturing Company, Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1895. Sterling silver wires that separate slices of toast are des...
Category

1890s American Victorian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Gorham Manufacturing Company furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Gorham Manufacturing Company furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of silver and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gorham Manufacturing Company furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Gorham Manufacturing Company were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by International Silver, Towle Silversmiths, and Wallace Silversmiths. Prices for Gorham Manufacturing Company furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,295 and can go as high as $59,900, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,900.

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