Sterling Silver Mid-Century Yo-Yo
View Similar Items
Sterling Silver Mid-Century Yo-Yo
About the Item
- Creator:Gorham Manufacturing Company (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)Diameter: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU91475606353
Gorham Manufacturing Company
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.
- Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Combination Ruler or Letter OpenerBy The Thomae CompanyLocated in New York, NYMid-Century Modern, sterling silver combination ruler or letter opener, The Thomas Company, Attleboro, Mass, circa 1950s. Retailed at Neiman Marcus. Measures: Ruler is 8 1/2 inches l...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Rare Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Gorham Martele Footed Inkstand with Hinged LidBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYFabulous, 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...Category
Antique 1890s American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Edwardian Sterling Silver-Mounted Onyx InkwellLocated in New York, NYEdwardian, sterling silver - mounted onyx inkwell, Birmingham, England, year-hallmarked for 1915. Measures 3 3/4 inches wide (at widest point) x 2 1/4 inches high x 4 inches deep. So...Category
Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Sterling Silver
MaterialsOnyx, Sterling Silver
- Edwardian Sterling Silver and Crystal Footed InkstandBy Hawksworth, Eyre & Co. Ltd.Located in New York, NYEdwardian, sterling silver, footed inkstand with original sterling silver-mounted, panel-cut crystal inkwell, London, 1912, Hawksworth, Eyre & Co. - ma...Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Edwardian Period Sterling Silver Card Tray, J.E. CaldwellBy J.E. Caldwell & Co.Located in New York, NYEdwardian period, sterling silver card tray, J.E. Caldwell and Company, Philadelphia, circa 1915. Fluted design. Vacant cartouche. Measures 6...Category
Vintage 1910s American Edwardian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Large Victorian Period Sterling Silver-Mounted Controlled Bubbles InkwellBy Bigelow Kennard & Co.Located in New York, NYLarge, Victorian period, sterling silver-mounted controlled bubbles crystal inkwell with hinged lid, Boston, circa 1895, Bigleow ,Kennard and Co. makers. Measures: 3 3/4 inches high ...Category
Antique 1890s American Victorian Sterling Silver
MaterialsCrystal, Sterling Silver
- Sterling Silver Paper ClipBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Brooklyn, NYA sterling silver paper holder/clip; does it get any more unique than this? Have you ever seen one before? We haven’t and we’re thrilled to be offering it. A practical and chic way ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver and Glass Inkwell by GorhamBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYArt Nouveau glass and sterling silver inkwell. Made by Gorham in Providence. Rectilinear clear glass block bulbous well. Sides have carved ornament: Fluid scrollwork and stylized flo...Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Repousse Gorham Sterling Silver Inkwell Custom Order Ornate, 1887 HollowwareBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Big Bend, WIRepousse by Gorham monumental inkwell with repousse design, gadroon borders, and beading. It has a vaseline glass insert; the glass insert has a chip. The piece has a monogram that r...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Sterling Silver BookmarkBy Lunt SilverLocated in Brooklyn, NYBeing offered is a sterling silver bookmark by Lunt Silversmith from the 1960s. It has a raindrop shape, rounded on one end and pointed on the...Category
Vintage 1960s American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- 20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Desk BellBy Arval Argenti ValenzaLocated in VALENZA, ITDesk bell in sterling silver. The bell is smooth with beaded decorations both on the body and on the knob. The body is perforated to make the bell sound (br...Category
1990s Italian Other Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver, Brass
- 20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Table BellBy Arval Argenti ValenzaLocated in VALENZA, ITElegant table bell in solid 925 sterling silver. The bell is smooth and features some circular lines that make the object balanced and increase the sound of the bell. The wooden h...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Other Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
$1,154 / item