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.
Set of 8 Antique Gorham Sterling Silver Reticulated Nut Dishes Pierced
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Westport, CT
This antique set of 8 Gorham Manufacturing Company sterling silver nut dishes features an elegant openwork reticulated latticework design, a boat-shaped form, and ornate floral scall...
Sterling Silver
Gucci Sterling Silver Baby Cup (A)
By Gucci
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage Gucci sterling silver baby cup. No monogram From the Tom Ford Era at Gucci, circa 1990's, this baby cup is engraved with "GUCCI BAB...
Sterling Silver
Cartier Handmade Sterling Silver Woven Mint Basket
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A Compact Masterpiece from a Legendary Maison Infuse your space with the heritage and refinement of this Cartier Handmade Sterling Silver Basket. Known for their impeccable craftsman...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$485
H 1 in W 3.25 in L 4.75 in
Italian Modern Classical Sterling Silver Wine Taster Porringer by Buccellati
By Mario Buccellati
Located in Troy, MI
Classical sterling silver gift, made by Buccellati in Italy. The curved, round, shallow bowl with wide handle can be used for wine tasting. The perfect gi...
Sterling Silver
George II Sterling Silver Bowl by John Barbe
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
Crafted during the reign of George II, this sterling silver footed bowl was manufactured by London silversmith John Barbe. The small footed bowl is alm...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. 925 Sterling Silver Revere Bowl
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Tiffany & Co. Metal Type: 925 Sterling Silver Diameter: 7.50 inches Height: 4.25 mm Weight: 429.69 grams Tiffany & Co. 925 sterling silver revere bowl 7.5". The ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Paula Wyman Art & Crafts Hand-Hammered Sterling Silver Bowl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine hand-hammered Arts & Crafts footed dish or bowl. With a lobed-hand-hammered bowl mounted on a shaped foot. In sterling silver. Made by the American female silversmith Pa...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co Antique 925 Sterling Silver Fruit Bowl
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Tiffany & Co. Metal Type: 925 Sterling Silver Diameter: 12.00 inches Height: 3.00 inches Weight: 845.00 grams Silver antique Tiffany & Co bowl. The metal was tes...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$687
H 3.25 in W 2.33 in D 0.5 in
Set of 6 Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Small Heart Apple Shaped Dishes
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Set of 6 Tiffany & Co sterling silver small heart/apple shaped dishes. Six small dishes in the shape of an apple or heart with openwork scroll leaf and 1 ball foot underneath. Does ...
Sterling Silver
$1,250
H 2.5 in W 3.6 in L 4.75 in
Tiffany Hampton Bowl, 18389, American Sterling Silver + Forks & Spoons
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Tiffany & Co Hampton Bowl - 18389 - American Sterling Silver Artesian Sterling Silver 2 Forks & 8 Spoons worked with Natural Color Stones Art Deco sterling silver bowl. ...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Set of 2 Nut Dishes #18400
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Set of 2 Nut Dishes This beautiful set of 2 nut dishes were created by amazing designer Tiffany & Co from sterling silver and are both engraved "McK"! ...
Sterling Silver
$695
H 2.13 in W 4.88 in D 2.13 in
Antique 18th C George III Sterling Silver Salt Cellar by Robert Hennell I
By Robert Hennell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Georgian salt cellar. In sterling silver. By Robert Hennell I. With scroll handles, a beaded edge & foot, repousse decoration around ...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. 925 Sterling Silver Curved Nut Candy Dish
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Tiffany & Co. Metal Type: 925 Sterling Silver Length: 5.25 inches Width: 3.25 inches Weight: 87.76 grams Silver waved dish. The metal was tested and determined to be ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Repousse Butter Pat by S. Kirk & Son
Located in Troy, MI
In 1815 Samuel Kirk opened a neighborhood silver store in Baltimore, what would eventually become the Kirk Stieff Corporation, the oldest surviving, highly prestigious silver company in the U.S. Kirk silver, or “Baltimore silver” is instantly recognizable by its hand-crafted repousse technique – hammering the reverse side of silver to produce an intricate design in low relief -- which Samuel Kirk introduced to America in 1828. Customers especially desired his repousee tea services, bowls, and flatware with elaborate floral patterns and architectural images. Kirks’ reputation for meticulous craftsmanship and innovative design spread nationwide; famous assignments included renovating 550 pieces of gold...
Sterling Silver
Antique Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Footed Oval Melon Bowl
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in University Place, WA
A rare and beautifully crafted antique sterling silver oval bowl by Tiffany & Co., dating to the early 20th century. The piece is realized in the form of a stylized melon or pod,...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Bowl by William B. Kerr
By Kerr
Located in Troy, MI
William B. Kerr was a manufacturer of flatware, hollow-ware & jewelry from 1880's - 1927 before it was absorbed by Gorham. They were well regarded for their Art Nouveau style in thei...
Sterling Silver
GORHAM MFG. CO. Antique Sterling Olive Dish, 1890
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
This antique sterling silver Olive dish was made by Gorham Mfg. Co. of Providence, RI, in 1890. It is in the Naturalistic style and is realistically formed...
Sterling Silver
GORHAM MFG. CO. Sterling Silver Swan Dish, Circa 1910
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful American Sterling Silver Figural Swan expertly formed and finely engraved with a delicate feathered motif. The body of the swan is hollow- a concession made to originally...
Sterling Silver