Gorham Sterling Corinthian pattern large Serving Fork 1871
View Similar Items
Gorham Sterling Corinthian pattern large Serving Fork 1871
About the Item
- Creator:Gorham Manufacturing Company (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 9.5 in (24.13 cm)Width: 3 in (7.62 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:C.1872
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Toronto, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: LC641stDibs: LU1070635022712
Gorham Manufacturing Company
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.
- Gorham Art Nouveau Sterling Buckle, 1902By GorhamLocated in Toronto, OntarioGorham Art Nouveau sterling buckle, 1902. Marks for Gorham Sterling and B1949 copyrighted with 1902 (year). Beautiful open floral nouveau whiplash des...Category
Antique Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsSterling Silver
$475 Sale Price26% Off - Gorham Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Floral Decorated Bowl, C.1900By GorhamLocated in Toronto, OntarioGorham large Art Nouveau sterling silver Floral decorated bowl C.1900. The deep bowl of round scalloped form beautifully embossed and chased with overlap...Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
$1,320 Sale Price20% Off - Passaic by Unger Sterling Silver Asparagus Fork, circa 1900By Unger BrothersLocated in Toronto, OntarioPassaic by Unger sterling silver asparagus fork gold washed circa 1900. Good large Serving Fork, partial gold wash. Length: 8.75 inches. Weight: 81 grams. Very minor wear to original...Category
Antique 1890s American Art Nouveau Serving Pieces
MaterialsSterling Silver
$360 Sale Price20% Off - Diana Pattern International Sterling Silver Soup LadleBy International SterlingLocated in Toronto, OntarioDiana Pattern International Sterling Silver Soup Ladle. Good condition. Reflections from photography only. Length: 10 inches. Weight: 149.8 gramsCategory
Early 20th Century American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
$280 Sale Price20% Off - Antique William IV Sterling Silver Large Mug, London, 1834, JonathanBy Jonathan HayneLocated in Toronto, OntarioAntique William IV sterling silver large christening mug, London, 1834, Jonathan Hayne. The mug of campana shape on rocaille shell textured scalloped pedestal...Category
Antique 1830s English Rococo Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Los Castillo 1950s Mexican Sterling Silver Chili Pepper Large DishBy Los CastilloLocated in Toronto, OntarioMexican sterling silver chili pepper design Dish by Los Castillo of Taxco, circa 1950. The "handwrought" plain Dish with elliptical rim and a 'C' scroll "rosewood" handle. Total Weig...Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
$795 Sale Price30% Off
- Gorham Buttercup Pattern Sterling Silver Large Pierced Fish Serving ForkBy GorhamLocated in Philadelphia, PAA fine large fish serving fork. By Gorham. In the Buttercup pattern. With a four-tine shovel with pierced bowl and thick gauged handle. Fully hallmarked to the reverse. Patente...Category
20th Century American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Gorham Buttercup Pattern Sterling Silver Large Oyster Serving SpoonBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Philadelphia, PAA fine large serving spoon. By Gorham. In the Buttercup pattern. We think that this a rare solid oyster spoon. With a shaped bowl and thick gauged handle. Fully hallmarked to t...Category
20th Century American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Large and Heavy Gorham Chippendale Sterling Silver Serving TrayBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYChippendale sterling silver serving tray. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1944. Round with flat curvilinear ogee rim. A large and heavy piece in this pattern. Fully marked including ...Category
Vintage 1940s American Georgian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Sterling Silver Serving ForkLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis sterling silver serving fork is a great mix between sleek and ornate. The handle has a beautiful design of flowers and leaves while t...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Francis I Sterling Serving ForkBy Reed & BartonLocated in Brooklyn, NYWe are offering this sterling silver serving fork In the Francis I pattern by Reed and Barton. Francis I is R&B’s most famous pattern; it has...Category
Antique Early 1900s American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Very Large Art Deco Period Solid Sterling Silver Serving Platter/Tray by GorhamBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYVery large, Art Deco Period, solid sterling silver serving platter/tray, Gorham Manufacturing Company, Providence, Rhode Island, Ca. 1935. Measures 20 1/2 inches long x 14 1/2 inches...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver