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Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

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.

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Creator: Gorham Manufacturing Company
Art Deco Franconia Dish
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Think Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center and South Beach in Miami...think Franconia! This is Art Deco at its finest and purest. Notice the handles, the inner border and the patter...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Camellia by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set Eight Service Luncheon 37 Pieces
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Eight knives, 8 3/4". Eight forks, 7 3/8". Eight salad forks, 6 1/2". Eight teaspoons, 6". One serving spoon, 8 1/2". One pierced serving spoon, original, 8 1/2". One sugar spoon, 6 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Baronial Old by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service, 144 Pieces
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Monumental Baronial Old by Gorham circa 1897 sterling silver flatware set, 144 pieces with superb lion motif. This set includes: 12 dinner knives, 9 3/...
Category

1890s American Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Cambridge by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Service 12, Set Vermeil 48 pieces
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Stunning Cambridge Gold by Gorham sterling silver flatware set of 48 pieces. Gold flatware is on trend and makes a bold statement on your table. This set is vermeil (completely gol...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Modernist Bowl by Donald Colflesh for Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful Gorham bowl with gold colored exterior and black enamel interior. Designed buy Donald Colflesh for Gorham.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Gorham Silver and Crystal Decanter, circa 1910
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Gorham silver and crystal decanter, circa 1910. Gorham silver stopper.
Category

Early 20th Century American Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Silver

Florentine by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Service for 12 Set Dinner 195 Pcs
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Impressive, dinner and luncheon size, Florentine by Gorham sterling silver flatware set- 195 pieces. This set includes: ...
Category

Early 20th Century Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

1915 Gorham Sterling Silver Ewer Hambletonian Race Trophy Goshen, NY
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Cape May, NJ
This is an important and very early piece of American horse racing history. Goshen, New York is where the original Hambletonian 10 started from in the 1850s. This massive piece is so...
Category

1910s American Art Nouveau Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Esprit by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service 54, Mid-Century Modern
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Stunning Mid-Century Modern "ESPRIT" by Gorham sterling silver flatware set of 54 pieces. This set includes: 12 knives, 9". 12 forks, 7 1/2". 12 salad forks, 6 3/4". 12 teaspoons, 6...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Celeste by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set Six Service Luncheon 32 Pieces
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Six knives, 9 1/4". Six forks, 7 1/2". Six salad forks, 7 1/8". Six teaspoons, 6". Six place soup spoons, 7 1/8". One pierced serving spoon, 8 1/2". One sugar spoon, 6 1/4". Includ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Camellia by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for Eight Service Dinner 60 Pcs
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Camellia by Gorham sterling silver flatware set for eight service dinner 60 pieces. Eight dinner knives, 9 1/2". Eight dinner forks, 7 7/8". Eight salad forks, 6 1/2". Eight teaspoo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sea Rose by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service Luncheon 84-Pcs
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
12 knives 9 1/4", 12 forks 7 1/2", 12 salad forks 6 5/8", 12 teaspoons 6", 12 place soup spoons 7", 12 hollow handle butter spreaders 6 1/2", 1 gravy ladle 7", One serving spoons...
Category

Mid-20th Century Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Nocturne by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 48 Service 245 Pieces Huge
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Nocturne by Gorham sterling silver flatware set of 245 pieces. This set includes: 48 knives, 8 7/8", 48 forks, 7 1/4", 48 salad forks, 6 3/4", 48 teaspoons, 5 7/8", 48 flat hand...
Category

Mid-20th Century Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Golden Scroll by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 34 Pieces
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Beautiful Golden Scroll by Gorham sterling silver flatware set of 34 pieces. This set includes: Eight place size knives, 9 1/8". Eight place size forks,...
Category

1970s Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

King Edward Gold by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Service 8 Set Vermeil 32 Pcs
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Add some luxe to your life with this fabulous King Edward Gold by Gorham Sterling Silver flatware set - 32 pieces. This set is vermeil (completely gold-washed) and includes: 8 Knives, 8 7/8", 8 Forks, 7 1/8", 8 Salad Forks, 6 1/8", 8 Teaspoons, 5 7/8" Includes bonus brand new storage chest - styles vary. Excellent condition, not monogrammed. This set has a beautiful gold finish. Gold flatware is on trend and makes a bold statement on your table, especially when paired with gold rimmed china...
Category

Mid-20th Century Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Camellia by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 12 Vermeil 48 Pieces
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Elegant Camellia gold by Gorham Sterling Silver flatware set 48 pieces. Gold flatware is on trend and makes a bold statement on your table. This set is vermeil (completely gold-was...
Category

Mid-20th Century Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Classique by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service Luncheon 54 Pieces
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Classique by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set - 54 pieces. This set includes: 12 KNIVES, 8 7/8", 12 FORKS, 7 1/8", 12 SALAD FORKS, 6 1/2", 12 TEASPOONS, 6", 1 GRAVY LADLE, 7 ...
Category

1960s Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Marie Antoinette by Gorham Sterling Silver Ice Bowl Set, Hollowware & Barware
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Marie Antoinette by Gorham. Marvelous Marie Antoinette by Gorham sterling silver ice bowl set. This set includes: One round tray that is marked #497, it weighs 37.75 ozt., and ...
Category

1890s American Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Edgemont Gold by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set Eight Service 33 Pcs Dinner
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Originally issued in 1987, Edgemont Gold by Gorham has symmetrical flutes that adorn the end of the flatware, flaring in an unmistakable pattern. Dinner size estate Edgemont gold by...
Category

1980s American Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

La Scala Gold by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Service 8 Set Vermeil 32 Pcs
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Add some luxe to your life with this fabulous La Scala Gold by Gorham Sterling Silver flatware set 32 pieces. Gold flatware is on trend and makes a bold statement on your table. Th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of Six 19th Century Gorham Sterling Silver Tea Spoons
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing set of ornate sterling silver tea spoons. They are all marked Gorham sterling and pristine condition.
Category

1890s American Edwardian Antique Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Silver

Feather Edge by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set of 120 Pieces
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Large feather edge (formerly known as "Dolly Madison Engraved") by Gorham sterling silver dinner size flatware set of 120 pieces. This set includes: 12 ...
Category

1920s Vintage Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

'Artillery Shell' Cocktail Shaker Sets by Gorham, USA
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in London, GB
Gorham, USA A complete pair of 'Artillery Shell' cocktail shakers by American maker Gorham, in copper, brass and silver plate, made to resemble 18lb artillery shells. The top section is the cocktail shaker, with pull-off cap for filling with an integral strainer. The heavy base in polished brass, and houses a pull-out silver-plated framework for four clear glass shot glasses...
Category

Early 20th Century American Other Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Copper, Brass, Silver Plate

Pair of Tall Silver Candlesticks
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in London, GB
This unusually tall and elegant pair of silver candlesticks was made by the eminent American silversmith Gorham & Co in Rhode Island. With simple domed round bases, supporting long s...
Category

Early 20th Century American Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

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 Manufacturing Co. in Birmingham (1904-1938) Silve...
Category

Early 20th Century English Gorham Manufacturing Company Furniture

Materials

Silver

Gorham Manufacturing Company furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Gorham Manufacturing Company furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of silver and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gorham Manufacturing Company furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Gorham Manufacturing Company were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by International Silver, Towle Silversmiths, and Wallace Silversmiths. Prices for Gorham Manufacturing Company furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,295 and can go as high as $59,900, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,900.

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