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.
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...
Sterling Silver
$5,250Sale Price|30% Off
Antique 1893 Amelia Sprague Rookwood Gorham Sterling Silver Overlay Vase 12"
By Gorham Manufacturing Company, Rookwood Pottery Co.
Located in Dayton, OH
A rare, very large, and impressive antique Rookwood and Gorham mantel vase by Amelia Sprague. It features Art Nouveau style pinecone / pine tree theme with sterling silver overlaid ...
Sterling Silver
Gorgeous Gorham Martelé Silver 22-Inch Centerpiece Vase, 1908
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous Art Nouveau Martelé silver centerpiece vase. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1908. Tall and elongated baluster with turned-down mouth and domed foot; rims irregular and scro...
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...
Silver
Antique Gorham Coin Silver Greek Revival Vase with Figural Ram's Head Handles
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique American coin silver vase. By Gorham. In a Greek Revival style with two figural ram's head handles to opposite sides of an amphora shaped body supported by a flared ...
Silver
Gorham Art Deco Sterling Silver 14-Inch Amphora Vase, 1913
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver vase. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1913. Tapering cylinder on raised and spread foot; tapering mouth-to-base scroll-bracket handles. A striking example of p...
Sterling Silver
Antique American Modern Classical Sterling Silver 18-Inch Vase
By Black, Starr & Frost, Gorham Manufacturing Company, William B. Durgin
Located in New York, NY
Modern Classical sterling silver vase. Made by William B. Durgin in Concord, New Hampshire, ca 1920. Curvilinear with molded mouth and base; tapering sides and domed foot. Fully mark...
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 si...
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 for...
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...
Silver
Beautiful Gorham Art Nouveau Classical Red Silver Overlay Perfume
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Art Nouveau Classical glass perfume with silver overlay, ca 1900. Globular bottle with short neck and ball stopper. Classical flowering and leafing rinceaux overlay with ro...
Silver
Antique Gorham Art Nouveau Green 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 for...
Silver
Antique Gorham American Victorian Classical Coin Silver Vase
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Classical coin silver vase. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1860. Conical bowl with everted curvilinear rim; tapering bracket side handles mounted with cast female heads a...
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...
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...
Silver
Antique Gorham Edwardian Regency Enamel & Crystal Perfume Bottle
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Regency crystal perfume bottle with sterling silver and enamel stopper. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1910. Globular bowl with faceted shoulder and neck, and everted rim...
Crystal, Sterling Silver, Enamel
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 everte...
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. Ba...
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 ...
Silver
Antique Gorham Art Nouveau Red Silver Overlay Cologne Bottle
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Art Nouveau red glass cologne bottle with engraved silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence, circa 1886. Globular with short neck and flat everted rim. Stopper globular. Tight an...
Sterling Silver
Loetz Green Glass Vase with Alvin Sterling Silver Overlay
By Loetz Glass
Located in Miami, FL
A fine quality Art Nouveau style art glass vase, by Loetz the historic glass maker from the municipality of Austria featuring Alvin Sterling Silver overlay. Overlay in form of open and horizontal patterns with stylized leaves and scrollwork. A great find, handcrafted vase skillfully made using centuries old techniques of art glass works from the world-renowned maker, Loetz. Simply stunning this Art Nouveau glass vase with Alvin Sterling Silver overlay by Loetz would enhance any shelf, table, nightstand or countertop. This is a rare antique Loetz Green Glass...
Sterling Silver
20th Century Art Nouveau Revival Italian Sterling Silver Vase
By Ferrari Milano
Located in VALENZA, IT
Sterling silver vase in Art Nouveau - Liberty style made entirely by hand. The preparation of the structure of the vase required several processing times. The vase was made in differ...
Sterling Silver
Swedish Art Deco Pewter Amphora Vase by Svenskt Tenn, 1930s
By Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
A refined Swedish Art Deco pewter amphora vase, designed for Svenskt Tenn in the 1930s. This elegant piece features a classical silhouette with a tall, tapering body and distinctive ...
Pewter
$2,617
H 5.36 in Dm 3.35 in
Émile Gallé Cameo Glass Cabinet Vase, "Clematis" Motif, Nancy, France, c. 1908
By Gallé, Émile Gallé
Located in Bochum, NRW
A fine multi-layered cameo glass cabinet vase, an authentic Art Nouveau piece. The naturalistic decor depicts the Clematis flower, achieved through meticulous acid-etching. The deta...
Art Glass
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...
Silver
$5,472
H 5.91 in W 18.9 in D 11.03 in
Art Nouveau Silver Jardinière With Waved Glass Liner Wilhelm Binder Germany 1900
By Wilhelm Binder
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant silver jardinière of elliptical base form on four flared feet with volute bond, downwardly flaring smooth wall with delicate ribbed band at the lower rim, constriction at the...
Silver
Rookwood Pottery Vellum Glaze Vase, circa 1925
By Rookwood Pottery Co.
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This piece is an American Rookwood Pottery "Vellum" series ceramic vase by Lenore Asbury, circa 1925. A monumental landscape vase by Fred Rothenbusch fo...
Ceramic
$1,325 / set
H 10.5 in W 5.38 in D 4.25 in
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 ...
Sterling Silver
$285Sale Price|40% Off
H 4 in Dm 2 in
Art Nouveau Glass Perfume Bottle with English Sterling Silver Filigree Overlay
Located in Sheffield, MA
The Art Nouveau glass perfume bottle is embellished with an English sterling (stamped and with rampant lion) silver filigree overlay and cap....
Sterling Silver
Loetz, Glass "Titania" Silver Overlay Art Nouveau Vase, Swirl Green, Blue
By Loetz Glass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful vase in swirl Titania glass and overlay silver, This is a rare antique vase.
Glass
$1,350
H 22 in Dm 6.75 in
Wonderful Gorham Sterling Silver Large Etched Impressive Ruffle Trumpet Vase
By Gorham
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Gorham Sterling Silver Large Etched Impressive Ruffle Edge Trumpet Vase
Sterling Silver
Loetz “Titania” Art Nouveau Green Iridescent Glass Vase with Silver Overlay
By Loetz Glass
Located in Miami, FL
Loetz “Titania” Art Nouveau Green Iridescent Glass Vase with Silver Overlay, Art Nouveau Loetz “Titania” Iridescent Green Glass Vase, Silver Overlay Deco...
Glass, Art Glass
Sold
H 7.09 in W 7.09 in D 3.55 in
Gorham - Edwardian sterling silver pair of flower vases made in Birmingham 1908
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1908 by Gorham Manufacturing Co., this very attractive pair of Antique Edwardian Sterling Silver Vases, are hexagonal in shape, and feature art nouveau en...
Sterling Silver
Gorham Edwardian Classical Large Sterling Silver Trophy Cup
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Classical sterling silver trophy cup. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1910. Tall girdled urn on stepped and domed foot; leaf-capped double-scroll side handles. Traditional form with...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 4.5 in Dm 1.75 in
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...
Sterling Silver
Large Gorham Edwardian Classical Sterling Silver & Crystal Vase
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Large Edwardian Classical sterling silver and crystal vase. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1929. Ovoid glass body; wide plain facets alternating with facets engraved with stylized f...
Crystal, Sterling 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...
Sterling Silver
Large Gorham Art Nouveau Red Silver Overlay Cologne Bottle
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Large turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau glass cologne bottle with engraved silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence. Globular with everted rim. Ball stopper. Loose and interlaced s...
Silver
Large Gorham Art Nouveau Red Silver Overlay Cologne Bottle
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Large turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau glass cologne bottle with engraved silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence. Globular with everted rim. Ball stopper. Loose and interlaced s...
Silver
Antique Gorham Art Nouveau Green 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. Ovoid with short neck and flat rim in silver collar. Flattened ball stopper....
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 silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence. Globular bottle with short neck and ball stopper. ...
Silver
Gorham Modernism Jar in Ash Grey
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Gorham company introduced these decorative jars in the 1950s as part of there Modernism collection. This one is in ash grey. A sterling lid with a small round clear crystal adorn...
Sterling Silver
Gorham Modernism Jar in Ash Grey
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Gorham company introduced these decorative jars in the 1950s as part of there Modernism collection. This one is in ash grey. A sterling lid with a small round clear crystal adorn...
Sterling Silver
Large Gorham Art Nouveau Green Glass Perfume with Silver Overlay
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Large Art Nouveau green glass perfume with engraved silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence, circa 1910. Globular with short neck and flat rim. Ball stopper with short plug. Loo...
Silver