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Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Boxes

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
Antique Gorham Art Deco Gilt Sterling Silver Half Round Dresser or Jewelry Box
Antique Gorham Art Deco Gilt Sterling Silver Half Round Dresser or Jewelry Box

Antique Gorham Art Deco Gilt Sterling Silver Half Round Dresser or Jewelry Box

By Gorham Manufacturing Company, Tiffany & Co., Asprey International Limited, Cartier

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A fine antique American gilt silver box. By Gorham Manufacturing Co. In gilt sterling silver. In a very rare, half-round form. The lid with engraved rocaille and floral decorati...

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Gorham American Modern Sterling Silver Box
Gorham American Modern Sterling Silver Box

Gorham American Modern Sterling Silver Box

By Gorham Manufacturing Company

Located in New York, NY

Modern sterling silver box. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1940. Rectangular with straight sides and spread and stepped base. Cover hinged with gently curved top and wraparound ove...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Gorham Victorian Classical Sterling Silver Trinket Box
Antique Gorham Victorian Classical Sterling Silver Trinket Box

Antique Gorham Victorian Classical Sterling Silver Trinket Box

By Gorham Manufacturing Company

Located in New York, NY

Victorian Classical sterling silver trinket box. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1900. Shaped and tubular. Cover hinged with molded rim. On top chased scroll and flower cartouche (v...

Category

Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Boxes

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Sterling Silver

American Modern Sterling Silver & Enamel Polo Horse Box
American Modern Sterling Silver & Enamel Polo Horse Box

American Modern Sterling Silver & Enamel Polo Horse Box

By Gorham Manufacturing Company, Ahrendt & Kautzman

Located in New York, NY

Modern sterling box, ca 1920. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with overhanging rim and curved top; in black enamel, a polo player on charging pony with raised mallet. C...

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Early 20th Century American Modern Gorham Manufacturing Company Decorative Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

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Previously Available Items
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Located in New York, NY

Sterling silver trinket box. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1898. Tubular with gentle waving. Cover hinged with molded rim. Repousse scrolls, flowers and foliage. On cover scrolled ...

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H 2.75 in W 9.75 in D 6.25 in

Gorham Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Desk Box

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Located in New York, NY

Art Nouveau sterling silver desk box. Made by Gorham in Providence. Rectangular with molded base. Cover hinged and curved with molded rim. Applied to cover are two joined frames inse...

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Sterling Silver Mid-Century Modern Table Box
Sterling Silver Mid-Century Modern Table Box

Sterling Silver Mid-Century Modern Table Box

By Gorham Manufacturing Company

Located in New York, NY

Sterling silver, Mid-Century Modern table box, Gorham Manufacturing Co., Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1950s. Wood lined. Dimensions: 3 1/2" deep x 4" wide x 1 1/2" high. Excellent...

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Gorham Manufacturing Company decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Gorham Manufacturing Company decorative boxes are available for sale on 1stDibs.