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.
Sterling Pie / Cake Server
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Offering a sterling silver pie server by Gorham Silversmiths. It has a gadroon design along both sides of the handle. It’s not only beautiful but very practical. Makes a great hostes...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Lorraine Server
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a sterling silver server in the Lorraine pattern by Gorham Silversmiths. The handle is scalloped and has flowers around the to...
Sterling Silver
Silver Plated Rose & Leaf Pattern Pie/Cake Server by National Silver Co
By National Silver Company 1
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This Unbranded silver-plated rose and leaf pattern pie server features a blade made of silver-plated metal by National Silver Co . The blade is adorned with an intricate cut-out desi...
Silver
Berndorf aplaca cake server austria 1920s
By Berndorfer Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Wien, Au
Berndorf aplaca cake server austria 1920s Only polished
Alpaca
$1,967Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.08 in W 0.99 in D 5.12 in
Exclusive Tea COFFEE SPOONS, 12pcs. Sterling Silver & Box Cake Spatula & TONGS.
Located in Wembley, GB
A Rare case set of 12 gilded inside antique valuable floral handle sterling silver Spoons. An elegant Vintage Sterling Silver Tea / Coffee Spoon Set. A cased set of 1915 12 x silver ...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver
Victorian Style Sterling Silver Grape Shears
By Israel Freeman & Son Ltd. 1
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sterling silver, Victorian style grape shears, Sheffield, England, 1938. "Fox and Grapes" motif on each handle. One of the cutting "blades" has ...
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italia Sterling Silver Juicer
By Arval Argenti Valenza
Located in VALENZA, IT
Squeezer in sterling silver. The top is hinged with the bottom. The body is rounded and the handle is made with two solid sterling silver bars. In the lower part it has been embos...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Cake Server
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Cake Server Marked, Tiffany & Co, Sterling. In the Tomato / Exhibition pattern. The handle cast with graduating stylized circular and bead motifs. Leng...
Silver
Victorian Period Sterling Silver Muffineer/Sugar Caster
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Period, sterling silver muffineer/sugar caster, Birmingham, England,, year-hallmarked for 1899. Measures 7 inches high (at highest ...
Sterling Silver
Lily by Whiting Sterling Silver Bonbonniere Spoon, Fabulous
By Whiting Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Lily by Whiting. Rare sterling silver Bonbonniere spoon 11 3/4" in the pattern Lily by Whiting. It is monogrammed "F" and is in excellent condition....
Sterling Silver
$1,967Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.08 in W 0.99 in D 5.12 in
Exclusive Tea COFFEE SPOONS, 12pcs. Sterling Silver & Box Cake Spatula & TONGS.
Located in Wembley, GB
A Rare case set of 12 gilded inside antique valuable floral handle sterling silver Spoons. An elegant Vintage Sterling Silver Tea / Coffee Spoon Set. A cased set of 1915 12 x silver ...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver
English Pie Server Mahogany, 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
19th Century mahogany three-tiered English pie server with satinwood inlays. It has a handle at the top of the server. Origin: United Kingdom Period: 19th...
Mahogany
Woodside Sterling Sugar and Creamer Art Deco
By Woodside Silver Co.
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Sterling Art Deco style sugar and creamer. Sugar measures: 6 x 3 x 4.5" H creamer: 5 x 2 x 5" H.
Sterling Silver
Dutch Silver Fish Servers by Van Kempen, 1948
Located in Delft, NL
Dutch Silver Fish Servers by Van Kempen, 1948 Silver fish servers with pattern "Hollands glad" The servers are marked with the Dutch Silver hall m...
Silver
Alpaca cake server austria 1920s
Located in Wien, Au
Alpaca cake server austria 1920s Only polished
Alpaca
$1,768
H 1 in W 2.8 in D 10.3 in
Antique Dutch Silver Server with Agate Handle, TGZ3 Mark, 1884, Europe
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Dutch silver and agate handled server; an addition to our diverse silverware collection. This impressive antique Dutch silver server has an oval shaped blade. The anterior face of the blade is embellished with impressive finely pierced diaper pattern decoration encompassed with a paralleling bright cut engraved scrolling leaf decorated border. The blade is further ornamented with a bright cut engraved scalloped border to the rim blending to a plain border to the incurve. The reverse of the blade is plain and unembellished. This exceptional example of antique silverware retains the original and exceptional faceted agate handle. The ferrule and lower portion of the stem are ornamented with an engraved simplified lozenge design accented with a trellis pattern. The hallmarks struck to this impressive server include: Maker's mark: TGZ3 Silver quality / purity mark: Lion Passant mark .833 (833/1000) Date letter: Z (1884) Duty mark: Minerva head Condition This antique server is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. The agate handle is in perfect condition. The bright cut engraved decoration is all very crisp. The Dutch hallmarks struck to the reverse surface of the stem and ferrule are all very clear. Dimensions Length 26.1 cm / 10.3" Length of blade 12.1 cm / 4.8" Width of blade 7.1 cm / 2.8" Weight Not measurable as agate handle Maker: Untraced Maker's Marks Date: 1884 Origin: Netherlands, Europe Video: A video of this fine piece is available upon request. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this piece of Dutch flatware...
Sterling Silver
Large American Coin Silver '.900' Cake Saw/Knife
By Wood & Hughes
Located in New York, NY
Large, American, coin silver (.900) cake saw/knife, New York, circa 1870, wood and Hughes - makers. Bead pattern. Lovely etched work. Center of knife is etche...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 7.75 in W 5.75 in D 7.75 in
Antique William Roger Silverplate Caviar Server Gorham Sterling Silver Spoons
By William Rogers, Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique turn of the century 13 piece Caviar Server, Soufflé and hanging spoon set, featuring a trophy urn style bowl with etched palm leaves on the body, brackets to support twelve s...
Metal, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Salad Set
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“Willow” sterling silver salad set by Gorham Silversmiths, circa 1954. Sleek and chic in that quintessential Mid-Century style! On each handle a wheat...
Sterling Silver
Gorham Narragansett Salt Spoon
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Riverdale, NY
Gorham Narragansett Salt Spoon from the late 19th Century in the Aesthetic taste. Applied Crab motif with barnacle decorated spoon. Marked Sterling...
Sterling Silver
Dauphin Sterling Silver Mustard Ladle
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are offering a sterling silver mustard ladle in the Dauphin pattern by William B. Durgin (Gorham Silversmiths). Dauphin is one of the most s...
Sterling Silver
Sterling “Versailles” Salad Set
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are thrilled to offer you this sterling silver salad set by Gorham Silversmiths of Providence, Rhode Island. Manufactured in 1888, “Versailles” quickly we...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 3.875 in W 5.25 in D 3.5 in
Vintage Old French Gorham Sterling Silver Coffee Tea Creamer Sugar Bowl 909/910
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage "Old French" Gorham sterling silver .925 coffee /tea creamer and sugar bowl featuring ornate baroque design handles. 909 and 910. Measures: 5.25” x 3.5” x 3.875” / Combine...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 4.34 in W 2.76 in D 4.34 in
English Silver Toast Rack by Gorham Manufacturing Co., Birmingham, 1919
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Delft, NL
English silver toast rack by Gorham Manufacturing Co., Birmingham 1919 A Silver toast rack for 6 slices of toast Made by Gorham Manufactu...
Silver
Sterling Gravy Ladle
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a sterling silver gravy ladle in the “Sovereign” pattern by Gorham Silver. It has a great Art Deco look to it with the acorn tip. It goes ...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Serving Spoon
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Buttercup by Gorham Silver Co., a lovely pattern that has been delighting customers for over one hundred years. This sterling silver serving spoon is not...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Serving Spoon
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
If you enjoy entertaining in style, you will love this super-large sterling silver pierced serving spoon. It has an extra long handle and delicate openwo...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Serving Spoon, 1929
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The pattern for this sterling serving spoon is Cellini. It was manufactured by the Gorham Corporation in 1929. It has a straight handle which ta...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in
Gorham Art Silver Aesthetic Bamboo Sterling Silver Salad Serving Set 2pc in Box
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Superb Gorham art silver, circa 1860-1883 aesthetic sterling silver salad serving set two-piece, #330, gold washed, with sterling bamboo-like handle and shell-like bowls, stippled. M...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Salad Set
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This lovely salad set is one hundred and thirty-three years old. It has a Art Deco look with the square tip and shell design. Either used together or separat...
Sterling Silver
Gorham Silver Punch Bowl and under Plate
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New Orleans, LA
Detailed in an intricate repoussé and chased floral, scroll and shell motif is this exqusite silver punch bowl and under plate by the highly respecte...
Silver
Sold
H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in
Etruscan by Gorham Sterling Silver Cheese Server Serving Set 2 Pc HHWS Custom
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Etruscan by Gorham Sterling Silver custom-made hollow handle with stainless implements two-piece cheese server serving set which includes: One-cheese...
Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel