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.
Gorham Silver and Glass Whiskey Jug in Snail Pattern, circa 1900
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Gorham stopper fully marked. The glass by Jay Hoare, Corning NY, circa 1890. Whiskey Jug and Stopper in "Snail" Pattern. Colorless lead glass, silver; blown, cut, engraved. Squat cy...
Silver
$261Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.38 in Dm 4 in
Edwardian Blown Glass Decanter Dimple Moulded with Mushroom Stopper, circa 1900
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good cut-glass or crystal decanter or wine carafe, hand blown with a waisted shape and dimple moulded decoration with its original mushroom stopper, made of heavy lead glass, and dating to Edwardian England, circa 1900. This hand blown decanter is heavy and made of clear lead glass...
Blown Glass
$1,525 / set
H 8 in W 8 in D 8 in
fferrone Rare Presenter Set with Four Contemporary Whiskey Glasses Handmade
By Christopher Gentner, Felicia Ferrone
Located in Chicago, IL
Includes one rare presenter and four rare whiskey glasses Inspired by the pleasures of fine whisky, the rare presenter, by gentner design, elevates the experience through the art of presentation. The suspended tray with a unique handle allows it to be carried with one hand and prevents spillage of the rare glasses which are by ferrone. Material • borosilicate glass and tarnished brass type...
Brass
$814Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.24 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in
Antique Whiskey Decanter, English, Glass, Scotch, Barware, Victorian, Circa 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a fine antique whiskey decanter, presenting a striking faceted form in quality English glass, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. ...
Glass
$1,295
H 12 in W 6.5 in D 5.5 in
1970's Equestrian Decanter, Pitcher In Nickel Silver and Frosted Glass Barware
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely nickel silver plated and frosted glass equestrian vintage head decanter or pitcher would make a great addition to the bar. It is from the 1970...
Nickel
George II Handblown Wine Glass, Balustroid Form, Circa 1745
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good handblown Wine Drinking Glass; a Balustroid form with a solid stem having a central knop with a tear, dating from the middle of the 18th century, George 11nd period, circa 1745. English 18th Century Drinking glasses...
Glass
$600Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.5 in W 4 in D 4 in
Thomas Webb Cobalt Art Glass Decanter Signed circa 1920
By Thomas Webb & Sons
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique liquor decanter by Thomas Webb offers cobalt blue art glass vessel with stopper, maker signed, c1920 Measures - 10.5''H x 4''W x 4'...
Art Glass
$543Sale Price|20% Off
H 9 in W 5.25 in D 3.5 in
Gorham Brilliant-Cut Glass and Sterling Silver Moon Flask Decanter
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Brilliant-cut-glass and sterling silver decanter. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1894. Round body with thumb ring handle. Cut ornament in arched frames. Co...
Sterling Silver
18th Century Glass Flasque with Silver Lid
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very beautiful glass bottle with silver lid and engraved flower motives.
Art Glass
$212Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.6 in Dm 3.1 in
Georgian Rummer Drinking Glass, Handblown and engraved lead glass, Circa 1800
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good English "RUMMER" drinking glass, which were originally drinking glasses used in English taverns in the late 18th and early 19th century. The glass is handblown and made from lead glass, having a soft greyish colour. It has an ovoid bowl, well engraved with a band of swags and tails on a short wrythen stem, sitting on a conical foot, having a snapped off pontil below. The bowl is also vertically cut with narrow panels which rise vertically from the stem and stop at the shoulder. Overall a very good example of a Georgian drinking glass...
Glass
Georgian Handblown Balustroid Wine Glass, English Lead Glass, Circa 1740
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good handblown, English, Georgian, 'Balustroid' wine drinking glass, dating from the middle of the 18th century, George XI period, circa 1740. It is made from English lead...
Glass
$1,450 / set
H 9.25 in W 5 in D 5 in
Pair Asymmetrical MCM Baccarat Crystal Whiskey Decanters, 20th Century
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Unusual asymmetrical configuration Modernist style pair of Baccarat crystal decanters. Signed on the bases Excellent condition.
Crystal
$321Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.05 in Dm 3.13 in
Mid-Georgian Hand-Blown Lead Glass Wine Glass, Engraved, Circa 1760
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good hand-blown, English, mid-Georgian, Wine drinking glass with a round funnel (RF) engraved bowl on a solid stem, dating to the middle of the 18th century, circa 1760. These glasses are very collectable. It is made from English lead glass which is relatively heavy and has a soft grey colour. The RF (round funnel) bowl is well engraved with OXO under rim and a facet cut bowl base, sitting on a a solid stem, over a conical foot with a snapped off pontil below to the underside. The foot has an under rim edge chip but is otherwise very good with on evidence of restoration. (NOTE: We do not normally buy Georgian wine glasses...
Glass