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.
$1,900 / set
Sterling Silver Tea Set
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are thrilled to offer you this sterling silver tea set by Gorham Silversmiths, hallmarked 1874. This one hundred and fifty years old set has been ...
Sterling Silver
Antique Gorham Chantilly-Grand Sterling Silver 3-Piece Coffee Set
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Turn-of-the-century Chantilly-Grand sterling silver 3-piece coffee set. Made by Gorham in Providence. This set comprises coffeepot, creamer, and sugar. Scrolled rims, spread and scro...
Sterling Silver
Antique Gorham Medallion Coin Silver 5-Piece Coffee & Tea Set
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Medallion coin silver coffee and tea set. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1860. This set comprises 5 pieces: coffeepot, teapot, creamer, sugar, and waste bowl. Globular bowls on ste...
Silver
Gorham Art Deco Pair of Silver Plated Breakfast Jugs with Raffia Handles
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Pair ...
Silver Plate
$11,200Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Silver
Chantilly by Gorham Duchess Sterling Silver Tea Set 5pc All Hand Chased '#6966'
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Chantilly by Gorham Exceptional Chantilly by Gorham Duchess sterling silver five-piece tea set - all hand chased. This set includes: 1 - Coffee Pot: Marked #732, measures 9" x ...
Sterling Silver
Gorham American Renaissance Japanesque Brass Tea Kettle
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Sharon, CT
In the oriental taste of the time. Brass with a wood finial and handle. Signed.
Brass
English Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, Sheffield, 1907
By Harrison Brothers & George Howson 1
Located in Delft, NL
An English silver tea caddy by Harrison Brothers & Howson, Sheffield 1907. An oval round shaped silver tea caddy with hinged lid. The caddy raised on a footrim and 4 ball sha...
Sterling Silver
$1,553
H 0.7 in W 2.6 in D 4.5 in
1970s Russian Silver Gilt and Polychrome Cloisonné Enamel Tea Strainer
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive vintage Russian silver gilt and polychrome cloisonné enamel tea strainer; an addition to our silver tea ware collection. This exceptional vintage Russian silver gilt and polychrome cloisonné enamel tea strainer has a circular rounded form. The bowl of the tea strainer is embellished with a pierced concentric circular design, encircled with Dual bands of white enamel bead motifs to the rim. The tapering handle is embellished with an impressive cloisonné enamel floral and foliate design in tones of blue and green, accented with further bands of white enamel circular motifs encompassing the concave thumb piece. The enamel segments are encompassed with applied silver paralleling rope twist ornamentation. This fine Russian silver enamel tea strainer retains the original gilding. The hallmarks to the reverse surface of the bowl include: Maker's mark: ??? (Untraced) Soviet silver...
Silver, Enamel
Art Deco Silvered Tea Pot from" Cafe du Grand Hotel" France
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique silver plated on brass collectible French Tea Pot from" Cafe du Grand Hotel" France. Art Deco style made by Boyron Lyon France. Circa 1940.
Silver Plate
Japanese Silver Plated 5-Piece Coffee or Tea Set
Located in North Miami, FL
Japanese silver plated 5-piece coffee or tea set Dimensions: Serving tray, 26.5 wide, 14.5 deep, 1 inch tall Larger coffee pot, 11.75 inches tall, 12.5 deep, 5.5 wide Smaller tea...
Silver Plate
$14,950 / set
H 15 in W 7.38 in D 8.5 in
Early 20th Century Five-Piece Louis XV Style Sterling Silver Tea and Coffee Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine early 20th century five-piece Louis XV style sterling silver tea and coffee service set. The finely chased ovoid shaped ...
Silver
Tiffany Sterling Silver Classical Style Four Piece Tea / Coffee Service
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Indulge in the timeless elegance of this Exquisite early 20th-century Tiffany Sterling Silver Classical Style Four-Piece Tea/Coffee Service. Each piece is a testament to Tiffany's re...
Sterling Silver
$1,495 / set
H 17 in W 8.5 in D 12 in
Antique Elkington & Co. Silver Plated Spirit Kettle with Floral Decoration
By Elkington & Co.
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique spirit kettle was made by the well known Elkington & Co. of England in approximately 1880 and done in the period Victorian style. Th...
Silver Plate
$13,866 / set
H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in
Chantilly by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service Luncheon, 110 Pieces
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
12 knives 8 7/8", 12 forks 7", 12 salad forks 6 1/2", 12 teaspoons 5 3/4", 12 cream soup spoons 6 1/8", 12 iced tea spoons 7 5/8", 12 demitasse spoons 4", 12 coffee spoons 5 3...
Sterling Silver
Haviland Limoges Gilt Porcelain Coffee / Tea Service for 12
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Late 20th century Haviland, Limoges France gilt porcelain tea / coffee service for twelve people. Each piece is great condition. Marks (Tower) Haviland Limoges, France undersigned. Alltogether 27 pieces. Set include 12 tea / coffee cups 4" x 2.3". 12 tea / coffee saucers...
Gold
English Silver Plate Biscuit Box or Tea Caddy
Located in New York, NY
An English sterling silver plate covered biscuit box or tea caddy with hinged finial lid top, attached claw footed gallery tray, and exterior repou...
Silver Plate
5-Piece Art Deco Silver Plated Tea and Coffee Set - France
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Elegant five-piece French silver-plated tea and coffee service from the Art Deco Period. The set includes a coffee pot, teapot, sugar bowl with lid, milk jug, and a large oval tray w...
Silver Plate
$315Sale Price|35% Off
H 5.52 in W 7.09 in D 4.73 in
Art Deco Silver Toast Rack, 4 Slice Breakfast Bread Stand With Handle Sheffield
Located in Wembley, GB
English Silver-Plated Toast Rack, Art Deco Style, Sheffield, Circa 1930s A charming English silver-plated four-slice toast rack, finely crafted in Sheffield during the early 20th cen...
Silver, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
Gorham Silver Plated 6-Piece Tea Service
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Sheffield, MA
All monogrammed M, a set of 6, comprising kettle on stand, coffee pot, tea pot, covered sugar bowl, cream jug and waste bowl, partially ribbed body, Gorham mark for 1911. OFFERING FR...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in
Old French by Gorham Sterling Silver Tea Set Six Piece w Tray Exceptional #1639
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Old French by Gorham Marvellous Old French by Gorham sterling silver six-piece tea set with sterling silver tray. It has hallmarks for 1929. This set includes: One tray: Marked #4...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Coffee or Tea Pot
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In a time when everything needs to be done yesterday and there is no escaping the bombardment of news and social media, the best way to calm your nerves is with a nice cup of coffee ...
Sterling Silver
Plymouth Tea Set
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This three-piece set is ideal for informal service. Whether in bed, or in your study this adorable tea set is just right. This size set is also referred to as a hot cocoa set...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in
Strasbourg by Gorham Sterling Silver Coffee Set 3 Pc on Tray (#1802) Hollowware
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Beautiful Strasbourg by Gorham sterling silver three-piece tea set with an elegant round tray. The tea set is not monogrammed. The tray is marked #1230, measures 5/8" x 12 1/4" wide,...
Sterling Silver
Chantilly Duchess by Gorham Sterling Silver Tea Set Five Pieces Hollowware
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Chantilly Duchess by Gorham sterling silver hand chased tea set, five pieces. Date mark for 1957. This set includes: One coffee pot: Marked #1001...
Sterling Silver
English Georgian Gorham Edgeworth Sterling Silver Four-Piece Tea Set
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique English Gorham Edgeworth sterling silver four-piece tea set features footed tea pot, covered sugar, creamer, and waste bowl, hallmarked on bases,...
Sterling Silver
Lansdowne by Gorham Sterling Silver 4 Piece Tea Set Wood Handle Hollowware
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Simply beautiful Lansdowne by Gorham sterling four-piece tea set. This set includes: One kettle on stand: Marked #A10706, has wooden handle, weighs 43.31 ozt., and measures 12"...
Sterling Silver
Large Full Service Tea Set by Gorham 1925
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Exceptional hand chased tea set by Gorham, year mark 1925. Set includes, all in gleaming heavy silver plate, large tray, large tilting kettle, coffee po...
Silver Plate
Colfax by Durgin Gorham Sterling Silver Tea Set 8-Piece Marked #C04 (#1501)
By Durgin Silver Company, Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Large Colfax by Gorham Durgin eight-piece sterling silver tea set. This set includes: One Kettle on Stand: Weighs 39 ozt., and it measures 10 1/2" x 9", One Coffee Pot: Weighs 21....
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in
Strasbourg by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Dinner Size and Tea Set
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Gorgeous dinner size "Strasbourg" by Gorham sterling silver flatware set - 80 pieces plus four-piece sterling silver Strasbourg by...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 5.63 in W 6.63 in D 5 in
Gorham Japonesque Hand-Hammered and Mixed Metal Teapot with Frog and Mouse
By Gorham Manufacturing Company, Bigelow Kennard & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Japonesque sterling silver and mixed metal teapot. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1880. Squat and round with all-over honeycomb hand hammering. Stubby spout and stationary c-scroll handle have all-over pointille. Cover flush and concave with fluting and raised centre (vacant). Copper frog...
Sterling Silver, Copper