Gorham Sterling Silver Centerpiece Bowl with Ruby Glass Footed Floral Pierced
View Similar Items
Gorham Sterling Silver Centerpiece Bowl with Ruby Glass Footed Floral Pierced
About the Item
- Creator:Gorham Manufacturing Company (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 5 in (12.7 cm)Width: 10 in (25.4 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1892
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Big Bend, WI
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU102245466253
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.
- Marie Antoinette by Gorham Sterling Silver Ice Bowl Set, Hollowware & BarwareBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Big Bend, WIMarie 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
Antique 1890s American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Baltimore Rose Schofield Repousse Sterling Silver Casserole 3-D Lion HollowwareBy The Schofield CompanyLocated in Big Bend, WIImpressive Baltimore rose by Schofield casserole dish with cover featuring an applied 3-D lion. The piece has the original ironstone liner. There is a r...Category
Antique Early 1900s American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Marguerite by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 10 Service 53 pcs FloralBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Big Bend, WIBeautiful Marguerite by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware set with daisy flower motif - 53 pieces. This set includes: 10 Knives with Blunt blades, 8 1/2" 10 Forks, 6 7/8" 10 Salad For...Category
20th Century American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Florentine by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Service with Provenance 426 PiecesBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Big Bend, WIMonumental figural Florentine by Gorham sterling silver Flatware set - 426 pieces. This pattern was designed by William C...Category
Early 20th Century Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Centerpiece Bowl #468ALocated in Big Bend, WIGorgeous Georg Jensen sterling silver centerpiece bowl featuring a base made of 3-D blossoms with hanging fruit and beads. It has GI marks for 1910-30 and #468A. The piece measures 8...Category
20th Century American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Cluny by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Service Massive Set with Vintage ChestBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Big Bend, WIThe academic nature in which designer Antione Heller looked to the past for inspiration also stems from the Beaux Arts movement. Cluny takes its name and inspiration from a real plac...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Tableware
MaterialsSterling Silver
- 1912 Gorham Sterling BowlBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis oblong shaped bowl has a scalloped edge and base. Along the rim, a string of beads follows the shape of the bowl. On each end flowers and garlands...Category
Vintage 1910s American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique American Sterling Silver Bowl Gorham Manufacturing CompanyBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon TyneAn exceptional, fine and impressive antique American sterling silver bowl made by Gorham Manufacturing Company; an addition to AC Silver's dining silverware ...Category
Antique 1880s American Serving Bowls
MaterialsSilver, Sterling Silver
- 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 - Antique Gorham Sterling Silver 341 Bowl Large 10 oz .925 306gBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Dayton, OHAntique Gorham sterling silver bowl #341. A large bowl featuring a beaded ring and rope twist rim design. Measures: 9.5".Category
Early 20th Century Serving Bowls
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Gorham Sterling Silver Bowl / Open TureenBy GorhamLocated in New York, NYGorham sterling silver two-handled bowl or open tureen, standing on 4 clawed legs with exquisite, raised natural motifs, adorning the body and handle. It measures 8 1/2'' from handle to handle (inner maximum length is 6'') by 4'' in depth by 3 3/4'' in height, weighs 16 troy ounces, and bears hallmarks as shown. During the heyday of American silver manufacturing–approximately 1850 to 1940–Gorham was one of the most influential. The White House has used Gorham silver services during many administrations. Mary Todd Lincoln...Category
Early 20th Century American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSilver, Sterling Silver
- Gorham, 1906 BowlBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Brooklyn, NYWe’ve spent a lot of time, energy and money restoring the 112 year old piece to its original glory. Every ding and scratch removed and it looks magnificent. A delicate pattern of lat...Category
Antique Early 1900s American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
$1,125