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Gorham Manufacturing Company More Dining and Entertaining

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
Gorham Victorian Classical Baby Cup in Medallion-Inspired Pattern
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian sterling silver baby cup. Made by Gorham in Providence, circa 1890. Straight and gently upward tapering sides and scroll-bracket handle. Applied cast oval medallions that d...
Category

Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Gorham Craftsman Hand Hammered Sterling Silver Porringer
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Craftsman sterling silver porringer. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1910. Traditional form. Unusual open geometric handle. Allover spot hammering. ...
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Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Gorham Manufacturing Company More Dining and Entertaining

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 More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Gorham Victorian Aesthetic Sterling Silver Christening Mug
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Aesthetic sterling silver christening mug. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1894. Straight sides with gently curved base. Curvilinear frame with zigzag and wavy borders betw...
Category

1890s American Aesthetic Movement Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Gorham Sterling Silver 3-Piece Mother Goose Baby Set
By Bailey, Banks & Biddle, Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Turn-of-the-century Edwardian sterling silver baby set. Made by Gorham in Providence. This set comprises cup, bowl, and plate. Cup has scroll bracket handle, raised and stepped foot, and gilt interior. Bowl has same foot. Plate has deep well. Acid-etched scenes depicting scenes from Mother Goose, including Old King Cole being presented with his Bowl, Little Bo Peep...
Category

Early 20th Century American Edwardian Gorham Manufacturing Company More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Gorham Zodiac Sterling Silver 3-Piece Baby Set
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Zodiac sterling silver 3-piece baby set. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1915. This set comprises mug, bowl, and plate. Cup: Straight sides, short inset foot,...
Category

1910s American Art Nouveau Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Sterling Silver

Large American Sterling Silver Scallop Shell Bowl by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Large sterling silver scallop shell bowl. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1941. Elongated form and dynamic flutes. Rests on 2 balls. Fully marked ...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Gorham Sterling Silver Baby Cereal Bowl on Plate
By J.E. Caldwell & Co., Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian sterling silver baby bowl on plate. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1911. Bowl has curved and tapering sides. Plate has well and wide should...
Category

1910s American Edwardian Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company More Dining and Entertaining

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 More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Sterling Silver

Fine Gorham Sterling Silver Tea and Coffee Service
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gorham Sterling Silver Six-Piece Tea & Coffee Service w/ Christofle Plated Tray Gorham Manufacturing Co., Providence, Rhode Island, Comprising, a teapot, coffee pot, kettle on a lam...
Category

20th Century Gorham Manufacturing Company More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Silver

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Set of 4 Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Hand Hammered Napkin Rings
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Victorian, Sterling Silver Pedestal-Based Monteith/Centerpiece Bowl
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Antique Gorham Victorian Sterling Silver Nutmeg Grater
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Victorian sterling silver nutmeg grater. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1900. Ovoid and lobed; cover hinged and tabbed. Interior has hinged hasp. Butler finish. Fully marked includ...
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Antique Gorham & Webster Repousse Sterling Silver Footed Toothpick Match Holder
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One Cup 1900s Sterling Silver Wide Brim & Wood Handle Tea Strainer by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
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Mr. Giallo is opening his personal vault to sell a collection of his treasured antiques he's held on for so long. ABOUT ITEM One Cup 1900s Sterling Silver Wide Brim & Wood Handle...
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Early 20th Century American Gorham Manufacturing Company More Dining and Entertaining

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American Modern Sterling Silver Dog-Themed Baby Cup
By Gorham Manufacturing Company, McChesney Co.
Located in New York, NY
American Modern sterling silver baby cup, ca 1935. Gently curved sides and scroll bracket handle with pierced “cap”. Acid etched canine frieze—an endearing lineup of big-pawed, flopp...
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Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Gorham Manufacturing Company More Dining and Entertaining

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Antique Gorham Silver Plate Y1080 Oval Reticulated Footed Vanity Gallery Tray
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
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Antique Gorham silver plated tray featuring oval form with pierced / reticulated gallery and footed base. Y1080. Measure: 9".  
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Early 20th Century Victorian Gorham Manufacturing Company More Dining and Entertaining

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Gorham American Sterling Silver Nursery Rhyme Baby Set with Bowl & Plate
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
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Edwardian sterling silver cereal bowl on plate. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca. 1910. The bowl has straight sides and molded rim. The pla...
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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...
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Rare Victorian Sterling Silver Mug/Cup with Elephant-Form Handle by Gorham
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Victorian-Style Sterling Silver Tea Kettle on Stand by Gorham
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Victorian-Style, sterling silver tea kettle on stand with original, working, sterling silver burner, Gorham Mfg. Co., Providence, Rhode Island, ...
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Set of 12 Gorham Modern Sterling Silver Nautical Place Card Menu Holders
By William B. Durgin, Gorham Manufacturing Company
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Set of 12 Nautical sterling silver place card holders. Made by Durgin (part of Gorham) in Providence, ca 1950. Each: Open knotwork with back clip mounted to fluted scallop shell bowl...
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Mid-20th Century American Modern Gorham Manufacturing Company More Dining and Entertaining

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Gorham Chippendale Sterling Silver Pipkin
By Gorham Manufacturing Company, Brand-Chatillon Co. 1
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Rococo sterling silver pipkin in Chippendale pattern. Made by Gorham in Providence. Curved and tapering sides with fluting, flat and scrolled rim, and do...
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Gorham Edwardian Sterling Silver Allegorical Baby Cup
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian sterling silver baby cup with applied allegorical frieze. Made by Gorham in Providence. Concave foot, c-scroll handle, and scrolled whiplash rim. The stages of man, from ea...
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Gorham Mixed Metal Copper and Silver Japonesque Turkish Coffeepot
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Mixed metal copper and silver Turkish coffeepot with Japonesque ornament. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1882. Traditional copper vessel comprising ovoid body, S-scroll spout, c-sc...
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Gorham Manufacturing Company more dining and entertaining for sale on 1stDibs.

Gorham Manufacturing Company more dining and entertaining 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 more dining and entertaining, although silver editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original more dining and entertaining by Gorham Manufacturing Company were created in the neoclassical style in united states during the 20th century. Prices for Gorham Manufacturing Company more dining and entertaining can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $475 and can go as high as $13,200, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,035.

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