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 Aesthetic Pattern Silver Plate Scoop
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Riverdale, NY
Elegant 19th Century Aesthetic style large server by Gorham in silverplate with teak wood carved handle. Wave like designs in scoop with a gently sloped handle with carved scrolls at...
Silver Plate
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
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
Berndorf aplaca cake server austria 1920s
By Berndorfer Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Wien, Au
Berndorf aplaca cake server austria 1920s Only polished
Alpaca
Minton 19th Century Aesthetic Movement Hand-Painted Fish Platter
By Minton
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This fish platter is a true work of art! Classic Aesthetic Movement whimsical decoration with fish in motion and in conversation with the viewer, it has a three-dimensional feel. Rea...
Porcelain
$21Sale Price|30% Off
H 10 in Dm 3 in
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
$1,943Sale 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
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
Paul Stor 1799 Antique Twelve Sterling Silver Plates
By Paul Storr
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive set of 12 antique Georgian English sterling silver plates made by Paul Storr; an addition to our range of collectable dining silverware This magnificent set of 12 antique George III sterling silver plates has a plain circular form. The raised border is embellished with an impressive bright cut engraved crest of an arm in armour embowed, holding in the hand a scythe in bend Dexter. Each antique plate is ornamented with a fine and impressive gadroon decorated border to the rim. The circular well of each plate is plain and unembellished. The underside of each plate retains the silversmith’s centre punch mark. These exceptional Georgian plates were crafted by one of the most famous and revered London silversmiths Paul Storr. The surface of each plate has a fine color and patination. Patination or patina is a subtle coloration or tarnish which forms on the surface of some metals, produced by oxidation or other chemical processes. A good patina proffers an aesthetically pleasing look. Condition These antique silver Paul Storr...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Victorian French Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Fish Slice
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Victorian, French, sterling silver fish slice/knife, Tiffany & Company, Paris, circa 1870. Blade is pierced and is designed with an etched fish. Hand...
Sterling Silver
$95
H 0.75 in W 10.5 in D 10.5 in
Vintage Gorham YC49-1 Victorian Silver Plated Expanding Pot Trivet Hot Plate
By Gorham
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Gorham YC49-1 Victorian Silver Plated Expanding Pot Trivet Hot Plate. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 0.75" H x 10.5" Diameter. Expands to 16.5" W.
Silver Plate
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
$1,200
H 9 in W 2 in D 0.75 in
Tiffany Sterling Silver "Vine" Pattern with Pea Pod Motif Cold Meat Fork
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Tiffany's "Vine" pattern is not just one pattern, but thirteen different motifs of flowers, grains, vegetables and fruits. Produced between 1872-1904 this weighty sterling silver cold meat fork has the wraparound pea pod motif. Tiffany produced this pattern during the Aesthetic movement...
Sterling Silver
Modern Silver Plate Cake or Pastry Server
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Modernist Cake Server in silver plate. The piece has consecutive spheres leading to the server - a modern and chic piece for the sophisticated hostess...
Silver Plate
$1,943Sale 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
Gorham Silver Plate Wine Bottle Holder/Pourer
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a beautifully designed and practical wine holder and pourer made by Gorham, with an adjustable neck ring accommodating any bottle shape; Burgundy or Bordeaux. The two-part st...
Silver Plate
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