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.
1892 Gorham Sterling Silver Chicago Columbian Exposition Isabella Souvenir Ring
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine, antique 1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition souvenir ring. The so-called "Isabella" ring by Gorham. In sterling silver. Issued for the 500th a...
Sterling Silver
$156Sale Price|50% Off
Band Ring in Polished Sterling Silver
By Cristina Cipolli Jewellery
Located in London, Richmond
Unisex band ring with a minimalistic and bold design. Size UK M - US 6 1/2 in stock, more sizes available upon request, made to order items are not returnable. Perfect worn solo or h...
Sterling Silver, Silver
$250Sale Price|20% Off
Band Ring in Satin Sterling Silver
By Cristina Cipolli Jewellery
Located in London, Richmond
Unisex band ring with a minimalistic and bold design. Size UK Q - US 8 1/4 in stock, more sizes available upon request, made to order items are not returnable. Perfect worn solo or h...
Sterling Silver
Alex Jona Sterling silver Swirl Band Ring
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, sterling silver band ring, size 6, can be sized to any specification. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for their special desig...
Silver, Sterling Silver
1992 Carol Felley Turquoise Sterling Silver Ring
By Carol Felley
Located in Wallkill, NY
Center Bezel set turquoise stone set in this Carol Felley Ring Size 7.5" Hallmarked and dated inside the ring. It is an Amazing Stunning piece of Art. Renowned New Mexico Artist Caro...
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
.925 Sterling Silver Diamond Accent Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
Introducing our stunning .925 Sterling Silver Diamond Accent Paperclip Band Ring. Crafted with precision, this fashion ring is designed for women who appreciate elegance and style. M...
Diamond, White Diamond, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Double-Loop Sterling Silver Fabri Infinity Ring
By John Brevard
Located in Coral Gables, FL
This unique, Double-Loop Sterling Silver Fabri Infinity Ring is a representation of the endless life cycles. With symmetrical designs and divine balance,...
Sterling Silver
Thorn Sterling Silver Ring
By John Brevard
Located in Coral Gables, FL
This sterling silver, thorn ring arms the wearer with strength. This unique ring is a limited edition John Brevard piece that evokes the interconnectedness ...
Sterling Silver
Alex Jona Sterling Silver Owl Ring
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, Sterling Silver owl ring. Size 6, can be sized to any specification. Alex Jona jewels stand ou...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Band Ring Handcrafted in Italy
By Botta gioielli
Located in Milano, IT
Moder band ring crafted in sterling silver. The size of the ring is 22x9 mm / 0.866x0.354 inches. US finger size is 6.75, French size 56, Italian size 16, resizable to the customer's...
Sterling Silver
Moissanite Chevron Ring Band 925 Sterling Silver Wishbone Ring.
Located in Chicago, IL
Moissanite Chevron Ring Band 925 Sterling Silver Wishbone Ring. Base Material: 925 Sterling Silver. Main Stone: Moissanite. Moissanite Color & Clarity: D Color & VVS1 Clarity. Hallm...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Moissanite Eternity Ring 925 Sterling Silver Band.
Located in Chicago, IL
Moissanite Eternity Ring 925 Sterling Silver Band. Base Material: 925 Sterling Silver. Main Stone: Moissanite. Moissanite Color & Clarity: D Color & VVS1 Clarity. Hallmarking: 925 S...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Moissanite Ring Band 925 Sterling Silver Baguette Ring Band.
Located in Chicago, IL
Moissanite Ring Band 925 Sterling Silver Baguette Ring Band. Material: Sterling Silver Main Stone: Moissanite Moissanite Color& Clarity: D Color & VVS1 Clarity. Hallmarke...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. 1837 Ring in Sterling Silver
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Bloomington, MN
Tiffany & Co. 1837 Ring in Sterling Silver This classic Tiffany & Co. ring is crafted in sterling silver and features the distinctive 1837 design. Its clean band silhouette is accen...
Sterling Silver
Moissanite Band Ring 925 Sterling Silver Gold Overlay Ring.
Located in Chicago, IL
Moissanite Band Ring 925 Sterling Silver Gold Overlay Ring. Base Material: 925 Sterling Silver. Main Stone: Moissanite. Moissanite Color & Clarity: D Color & VVS1 Clarity. Hallmarki...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Moissanite Ring Band 925 Sterling Silver Promise Ring Band.
Located in Chicago, IL
Moissanite Ring Band 925 Sterling Silver Promise Ring Band. Base Material: 925 Sterling Silver Main Stone: Moissanite. Moissanite Color & Clarity: D Color & VVS1 Clarity. Ha...
Silver, Sterling Silver