Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
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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Period: Early 20th Century
Creator: Gorham Manufacturing Company
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Tall Gorham Edwardian Neoclassical Column Candlesticks, 1908
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of tall Edwardian Neoclassical sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1908. Fluted columnar shaft on stepped square base. Composite Corinthian capital wit...
Category
Early 1900s American Neoclassical Revival Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Gorham Edwardian Classical Sterling Silver Column Candlesticks, 1917
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Edwardian Classical sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1917. Each: Fluted column and composite Corinthian capital. Bobeche detachable with chamfere...
Category
1910s American Edwardian Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Gorham Edwardian Classical Sterling Silver Column Candlesticks, 1916
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Edwardian Classical sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1916. Each: Fluted column and composite Corinthian capital. Bobeche detachable with chamfere...
Category
1910s American Edwardian Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Gorham Art Nouveau Red Silver Overlay Perfume
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Art Nouveau glass perfume with engraved silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1900. Globular with short neck and everted rim in silver collar; ball stopper. Overlay in ope...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
Large Gorham Edwardian Big Game-Era Trophy Cup with Horn Handles
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Large Edwardian big-game sterling silver trophy cup. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1910. Baluster bowl with twist-mounted horn handles. On front is engraved parchment scroll for e...
Category
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Gorham Coin Silver Vase No. 335
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique silver vase.
By the Gorham Mfg. Co.
In coin silver.
The vase with a footed base, rounded body, and elongated narrow neck which opens into a wider mouth. These are v...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
Pair of Antique Gorham Edwardian Classical Column Candlesticks
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Edwardian Classical sterling silver column candlesticks. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1910. Each: Column with fluted shaft on stepped square base. Corinthian capital with...
Category
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Gorham Edwardian Classical Sterling Silver Candlesticks, 1914
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Edwardian Classical sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1914. Each: Ovoid socket with detachable bobeche on knopped baluster shaft; domed foot. Fanc...
Category
1910s American Edwardian Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Gorham Edwardian Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Vase, 1904
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian sterling silver vase. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1904. Steeply tapering ovoid body; domed foot. Rims scrolled with applied flowers; mouth rim wavy. Fully marked includ...
Category
Early 1900s American Edwardian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of American Edwardian Georgian Sterling Silver Candlesticks, 1927
By Gorham Manufacturing Company, Black, Starr & Frost
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Edwardian Georgian sterling silver candlesticks, 1927. Retailed by Black, Starr & Frost in New York. Each: Bellied socket with detachable bobeche; tapering shaft on raised fo...
Category
1920s American Edwardian Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Gorham Edwardian Classical Sterling Silver Pierced Bowl
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Classical sterling silver bowl. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1906. Solid oval well and curved sides with pierced diaper and open leafing scrollwork. Rim reeded and steep...
Category
Early 1900s American Edwardian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Large Gorham Art Nouveau Red Silver Overlay Cologne
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Large Art Nouveau glass cologne with engraved silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1910. Globular with short neck and everted rim in silver collar. Ball stopper. Symmetri...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
Sterling Silver Vase, 1914
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a sterling silver vase by the Gorham Silver Company of Providence, Rhode Island. Hallmarked 1914, this piece is sleek and contemporary. A tapered body and a round ba...
Category
1910s American Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair Gorham Silverplate Candlesticks in the English Regency Style
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Pair of silverplate candlesticks by Gorham with hand engraved designs in the English Regency style. Each in very good condition with slight bends to one bobeche. Each currently well ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Regency Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver Plate
Pair of Gorham Edwardian Modern Classical Sterling Silver Candlesticks
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Edwardian Modern sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1905. Ovoid with faceted upward tapering haft on raised foot. Socket tapering with detachable b...
Category
Early 1900s American Edwardian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Candlesticks, 1927
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are happy to offer you this pair of sterling silver candlesticks by Gorham Silversmiths of Providence, Rhode Island. Hallmarked 1927, there’s an inscription on the bottom-side “Fr...
Category
1920s American Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
“Glass Decanter” American Green Glass Decanter with Silver overlay by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in London, GB
“Glass Decanter” American Green Glass Decanter with Silver overlay by Gorham - circa 1905.
A charming early 20th Century American green glass decanter overlaid with silvered Art N...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
Sterling Silver 1916 Candlesticks
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a pair of sterling silver candlesticks by Gorham Silversmiths hallmarked 1915. They are simply beautiful in their shape and elegance. They have a tapered body giving...
Category
1910s American Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Gorham Art Nouveau Red Silver Overlay Perfume
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau glass perfume with engraved silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence. Globular with short neck and everted rim in silver collar. Ball stopper. Ope...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
Sterling 1915 Candlesticks
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are excited to offer this pair of sterling silver candlesticks dated 1915 by Gorham Silver Co, Providence Rhode Island. They have pretty etching around the base as well as top near the neck. They have an oval base and a tapered body. Gorham sterling antique...
Category
1910s American Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Sterling Candlesticks
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A pair of sterling silver candlesticks by Gorham Silver Company in the “Plymouth” pattern. A tapered body, an oval vase and a ribbed bobeche. Young, moder...
Category
1910s American Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Sterling Candlesticks, 1916
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are happy to offer this pair of sterling silver candlesticks in the Plymouth pattern by Gorham Silversmiths, circa 1916. They have a scalloped base and bobeche and the body also h...
Category
1910s American Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
1927 Gorham Candlesticks
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Straight lines, tailored look; octangular body and base. These candlesticks are for the Minimalist, who likes a clean sleek look.
Category
1920s American Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of American Edwardian Sterling Silver Candlesticks by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Edwardian sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1905. Each: Ovoid, tapering, and fluted shaft with interlaced script monogram; stepped oval foot. Urn ...
Category
Early 1900s American Edwardian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Beautiful Antique Gorham Classical Red Silver Overlay Perfume
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful turn-of-the-century red glass perfume with engraved silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence. Globular bottle with short neck and ball ...
Category
Early 20th Century North American Art Nouveau Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
Antique Gorham Edwardian Classical Sterling Silver Bowl
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Turn-of-the-century Edwardian classical sterling silver bowl. Made by Gorham in Providence. Round with lobed and concave sides. Wavy shoulder with applied leaves and flowers, and scr...
Category
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Gorham Edwardian Regency Box for Jewelry and Keepsakes
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Regency sterling silver box. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1917. Square with straight sides. Cover hinged with gently curved top and scrolled top. Allover engine-turned w...
Category
1910s American Regency Revival Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Large Gorham Art Nouveau Green Glass Silver Overlay Perfume
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Large turn of the century Art Nouveau green glass perfume with engraved silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence. Globular with everted rim. Ball stopper with short plug. Loose a...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
Large Gorham Art Nouveau Green Silver Overlay Cologne Bottle
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Large turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau glass perfume with engraved silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence. Globular with everted rim. Ball stopper with short plug. Loose and int...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver and Glass Inkwell by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Art Nouveau glass and sterling silver inkwell. Made by Gorham in Providence. Rectilinear clear glass block bulbous well. Sides have carved ornament: Fluid scrollwork and stylized flo...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Gorham Sterling Silver and Cut-Glass Handled Basket
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine, antique Gorham sterling silver and cut-glass handled basket. The glass insert has etched engraving and the basket has embossed and pierced decoration. An excellent example of...
Category
1910s American Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
1915 Gorham Sterling Silver Ewer Hambletonian Race Trophy Goshen, NY
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Cape May, NJ
This is an important and very early piece of American horse racing history. Goshen, New York is where the original Hambletonian 10 started from in the 1850s. This massive piece is so...
Category
1910s American Art Nouveau Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Tall Silver Candlesticks
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in London, GB
This unusually tall and elegant pair of silver candlesticks was made by the eminent American silversmith Gorham & Co in Rhode Island. With simple domed round bases, supporting long s...
Category
Early 20th Century American Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Gorham Manufacturing Company decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Gorham Manufacturing Company decorative objects are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gorham Manufacturing Company decorative objects, although silver editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original decorative objects by Gorham Manufacturing Company were created in the Art Nouveau style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative objects by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Black, Starr & Frost, and Alvin Corporation. Prices for Gorham Manufacturing Company decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $325 and can go as high as $12,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,550.
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