Gorham Manufacturing Company Wine Coolers

American

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.

Creator: Gorham Manufacturing Company

Antique Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Tyg Cup by Gorham, 1899

$8,750

Antique Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Tyg Cup by Gorham, 1899

By Gorham Manufacturing Company

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique American sterling silver tyg presentation / champagne cup in the Art Nouveau style; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. This exceptional antique American sterling silver tyg presentation / champagne cup has a circular waisted shaped form onto a circular shaped spreading foot. The lower portion of the shaped body of this tyg* cup is embellished with impressive embossed and chased scrolling leaf ornamentation in the Art Nouveau style, paralleling the shaped foot. The anterior surface of the body is ornamented with the contemporary engraved initials 'IWS'. The upper and lower rims of the vessel are encompassed with applied moulded borders. This impressive silver cup is fitted with three cast sterling silver C shaped handles accented with a three-dimensional ribbon tied reed decoration, with impressive organic terminals. The underside of this exceptional example of antique silver bears the contemporary engraved inscription 'Presented to Jean W Stevenson as a token to commemorate her engagement to Edward H Graves from his father Henry Graves, January 17th 1899'. This versatile cup is a substantial size and if required could be used as a wine/bottle cooler; with the use of the three handles, this piece could easily be transferred down a dining table. The later hallmarks struck to the underside of this impressive cup include: Maker's mark: G (Gorham Manufacturing Company) Anchor mark: Gorham trademark anchor Silver quality/purity mark: Sterling (925, 925/1000) Registration number: A237 * A tyg is a large English mug...

Category

1890s American Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Wine Coolers

Materials

Sterling Silver

Art Nouveau - Style Sterling Silver Pedestal, Based Vase by Gorham

$1,650

H 10.5 in Dm 4.75 in

Art Nouveau - Style Sterling Silver Pedestal, Based Vase by Gorham

By Gorham Manufacturing Company

Located in New York, NY

Art Nouveau-Style, sterling silver, pedestal-based vase, Gorham Mfg. Company, Providence, Rhode Island, year-hallmarked for 1923. Hammered in design and chased with flowers. Measures...

Category

1920s American Art Nouveau Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Wine Coolers

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Wine Coolers / Champagne Ice Buckets 1839

$32,393Sale Price|20% Off

H 11.5 in Dm 10.16 in

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Wine Coolers / Champagne Ice Buckets 1839

By Howard & Hawksworth 1

Located in London, GB

A pair of impressive Antique Victorian Solid Silver Wine Coolers with magnificent acanthus leaf handles. The Rim of the cooler and the spread foot are decorated with elegant classic...

Category

19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Wine Coolers

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Copper & Brass Art Nouveau Wine Cooler or Ice Bucket Planter WMF

$1,100

H 15 in Dm 18 in

Antique Copper & Brass Art Nouveau Wine Cooler or Ice Bucket Planter WMF

By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik

Located in Greer, SC

Stunning Arts & Crafts / Art Nouveau era ice bucket or planter, created from copper and brass. Manufactured by WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, which in English means Wurtembe...

Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Gorham Manufacturing Company Wine Coolers

Materials

Brass, Copper

Vintage Sheridan Regency Silver Plated Trophy Cup Ice bucket

$450

H 8 in W 10 in D 10 in

Vintage Sheridan Regency Silver Plated Trophy Cup Ice bucket

By John Sheridan

Located in Birmingham, AL

Vintage large Sheridan Regency Silver Plated Trophy Cup Ice Bucket, Stunning silverplate champagne cooler // wine chiller // embossed rim // vintage barware // trophy urn style // fo...

Category

Mid-20th Century Regency Gorham Manufacturing Company Wine Coolers

Materials

Silver Plate

Rare Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Gorham Martele Footed Inkstand with Hinged Lid

$12,500

H 2.5 in W 10.25 in D 6 in

Rare Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Gorham Martele Footed Inkstand with Hinged Lid

By Gorham Manufacturing Company

Located in New York, NY

Fabulous, rare, sterling silver (.950) Art Nouveau, Martele inkstand with ball feet and hinged lid, the Gorham Manufacturing Corp., Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1905. According to the PTB mark on the underside, most probably, the Gorham silversmith who made it...

Category

1890s American Art Nouveau Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Wine Coolers

Materials

Sterling Silver

Georg Jensen Early Sterling Silver Art Deco Wine Cooler 725B

$28,363

H 25.7 in Dm 20.6 in

Georg Jensen Early Sterling Silver Art Deco Wine Cooler 725B

By Harald Nielsen, Georg Jensen

Located in Hellerup, DK

A Georg Jensen sterling silver wine cooler in the Pyramid pattern, design no. 725B by Harald Nielsen from 1934. The body is a tapered cylinder narrowing towards the rim, set on a ste...

Category

1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Wine Coolers

Materials

Sterling Silver

Winecooler Art nouveau Frances silver plate Champagne ice bucket barwere vitage

$1,440Sale Price|20% Off

H 11.42 in W 14.57 in D 13.39 in

Winecooler Art nouveau Frances silver plate Champagne ice bucket barwere vitage

By Hector Guimard

Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Winecooler Art nouveau Frances Origin France attributed to Hector Guimard electro plated pewter material art nouveau period circa 1900 natural wear internal tank replaced large size ...

Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Wine Coolers

Materials

Pewter

Sterling Silver Wine Cooler by Garrard & Co. London, 1973

$21,367

H 11.03 in Dm 9.26 in

Sterling Silver Wine Cooler by Garrard & Co. London, 1973

By Garrard & Co. Ltd.

Located in London, London

Hallmarked in London in 1973 by Garrard & Co. Ltd, this striking Sterling Silver Wine Cooler, is in the campagna shape, and features chased acanthus decoration, lion mask drop ri...

Category

1970s English Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Wine Coolers

Materials

Sterling Silver

A German Art Nouveau silver plate champagne / wine cooler by Orivit, circa 1905

$820

H 9.13 in Dm 10 in

A German Art Nouveau silver plate champagne / wine cooler by Orivit, circa 1905

Located in Sleepy Hollow, NY

A very handsome and large German Art Nouveau period silvered alpaca wine cooler with ring handles and a horizontal frieze with rosette motifs. Orivit Company, circa 1905. Orivit was...

Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Wine Coolers

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Gorham Victorian Classical Coin Silver Baby Cup

$920Sale Price|20% Off

H 3.5 in W 4.38 in D 3 in

Antique Gorham Victorian Classical Coin Silver Baby Cup

By Gorham Manufacturing Company

Located in New York, NY

Victorian Classical coin silver baby cup. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1860. Straight sides with stepped mouth rim and base; scroll bracket handle with rosettes. Engraved stylize...

Category

Mid-19th Century American Victorian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Wine Coolers

Materials

Silver

Antique Art Nouveau Champagne Cooler by Hugo Leven, Germany, 1910

$603Sale Price|25% Off

H 16.54 in Dm 11.03 in

Antique Art Nouveau Champagne Cooler by Hugo Leven, Germany, 1910

By Kaiserzinn, Hugo Leven

Located in Andernach, DE

Rare of not unique Champaign cooler or Punch bowl, attributed to Kayserzinn, Cologne, Germany. Attributed to the hands of Hugo Leven, likely a one-off order by one of the many exclus...

Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Gorham Manufacturing Company Wine Coolers

Materials

Pewter

Paris by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set Art Nouveau Cherubs 159 pcs Dinner

$31,500 / set

H 0.1 in W 0.1 in D 0.1 in

Paris by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set Art Nouveau Cherubs 159 pcs Dinner

By Gorham Manufacturing Company

Located in Big Bend, WI

Monumental Paris by Gorham, circa 1900, sterling silver flatware set, 159 pieces. The pattern "Paris" is an art nouveau style multi-motif pattern with...

Category

Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Wine Coolers

Materials

Sterling Silver

Art Nouveau Daum Claret with Gorham Sterling Mounts

$17,500

H 12 in Dm 7 in

Art Nouveau Daum Claret with Gorham Sterling Mounts

By Gorham Manufacturing Company, Daum

Located in Riverdale, NY

Extraordinary Art Nouveau sterling silver mounted claret jug by Gorham, circa 1900. The glass body, imported from France, is signed Daum, Nancy. It has been tinted emerald green and ...

Category

Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Wine Coolers

Materials

Glass

Antique Art Nouveau Floral Gorham Sterling Silver Overlay Flask

$500

H 5 in W 2.65 in D 1.06 in

Antique Art Nouveau Floral Gorham Sterling Silver Overlay Flask

By Gorham

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Gorham sterling silver overlay flask featuring an 1/8 Pint glass jar with a fancy engraved leafy vine art nouveau silver overlay design, a removab...

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Gorham Manufacturing Company Wine Coolers

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Gorham Victorian Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Napkin Ring

$450

H 1.38 in Dm 2 in

Antique Gorham Victorian Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Napkin Ring

By Gorham Manufacturing Company

Located in New York, NY

Victorian Art Nouveau sterling silver napkin ring. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1890. Wavy rims with applied fruit and flower borders. Script monogram. Fully marked including mak...

Category

Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Wine Coolers

Materials

Sterling Silver

Previously Available Items

Antique Gorham Silverplate Regency Style Champange Cooler or Ice Bucket

Sold

H 11.125 in Dm 10 in

Antique Gorham Silverplate Regency Style Champange Cooler or Ice Bucket

By Gorham Manufacturing Company

Located in Atlanta, GA

This elegant Gorham silverplate trophy form champagne cooler embodies classic sophistication with its refined design and polished finish. Marked "Gorham E.P. YH30," this piece repres...

Category

20th Century American Art Deco Gorham Manufacturing Company Wine Coolers

Materials

Silver Plate

20th Century American Sterling Silver Bottle Holder Gorham Manufacturing Company

Sold

H 8.9 in Dm 4.5 in

20th Century American Sterling Silver Bottle Holder Gorham Manufacturing Company

By Gorham Manufacturing Company

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique American sterling silver bottle holder; part of our dining silverware collection. This exceptional antique American sterling silver bottle holder has a circular rounded form. The body of this impressive Gorham silver bottle holder is embellished with embossed fruiting vine ornamentation accented with palmette style foliate motifs. The body is further ornamented with bowls of fruit amidst two antique dolphin designs. The plain, rounded hinged base of the bottle holder is encircled with a bead decorated border accented with quatrefoil leaf motifs to each alternating oval bead. The hinged base secures with a chain and security pegs; once released this allows access to insert a bottle. This impressive example of antique silverware is fitted with an exceptional hallmarked C shaped handle ornamented with impressive foliate decoration incorporating a figural mask to the handpiece, in addition to further leaf decoration to the lower socket. The hallmarks struck to the underside of this impressive bottle holder include: Maker's mark: G (Gorham Manufacturing Company) Anchor mark: Gorham trademark anchor Silver quality/purity mark: Sterling (925, 925/1000) Registration number: A2818 This exceptional Gorham silver bottle holder is the finest of its type you could hope to acquire. Condition This antique bottle holder...

Category

1930s North American Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Wine Coolers

Materials

Sterling Silver

Gorham Manufacturing Company wine coolers for sale on 1stDibs.

Gorham Manufacturing Company wine coolers are available for sale on 1stDibs.