Gorham Sterling Silver Medallion Scalloped Bowl Cream Ladle, Late 19th Century
About the Item
- Creator:Gorham Manufacturing Company (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 7 in (17.78 cm)Width: 1 in (2.54 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Late 19th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Gardena, CA
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Gardena, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Gorham Sterling Silver Medallion Large Soup or Punch Ladle, Late 19th CenturyBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Gardena, CA: Gorham sterling silver medallion large soup or punch ladle, Late 19th Century. Gilt to bowl with floral center handle and etched warrior figure to the finial. Gorham hallmark to th...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- 9 Gorham Sterling Silver Medallion Teaspoons, Late 19th CenturyLocated in Gardena, CA9 Gorham sterling silver medallion teaspoons, Late 19th Century. Etched flowers with an etched warrior figure to the finial. Gorham hallmark to the verso handle. Additional Informa...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- 7 Gorham Sterling Silver Medallion 8.5 inch Tablespoons, Late 19th CenturyLocated in Gardena, CA7 Gorham sterling silver medallion 8.5 inch tablespoons forks, Late 19th Century. Etched flowers with an etched warrior figure to the finial. Gorham hallmark to the verso handle. Ad...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- 8 Hotchkiss & Schreuder Sterling Silver Medallion Grapefruit Spoons, Late 19th CLocated in Gardena, CA8 Hotchkiss & Schreuder sterling silver medallion grapefruit spoons, Late 19th Century. Etched flowers with an etched warrior figure to the finial. Hotchkiss & Schreuder hallmark to ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Puiforcat Sterling Silver Cream Soup Serving Spoon Ladle in Annecy with BoxLocated in Gardena, CAJean Puiforcat France sterling silver ladle in Annecy 1930. With Puiforcat box. Hallmarked for Puiforcat French silver hallmarks to the bo...Category
Vintage 1930s Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique English Sterling Silver Cruet Set, 19th CenturyLocated in Gardena, CAAntique English sterling silver cruet set, 19th Century. Cut glass diamonds to the glasses. John Eldershaw Brunt and Henry Manton sterling silver...Category
Antique 19th Century Sterling Silver
MaterialsSilver
- 19th Century Sterling Silver Armorial Ice Cream Forks, Gorham Medallion Set of 6By Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Philadelphia, PAA set of six weighty estate sterling silver ice cream forks, the ‘Medallion’ pattern from Gorham Manufacturing Co. Providence Rhode Island, circa 1864. The terminals show an armoria...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century American Victorian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Large American Sterling Silver Scallop Shell Bowl by GorhamBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYLarge sterling silver scallop shell bowl. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1941. Elongated form and dynamic flutes. Rests on 2 balls. Fully marked ...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Rare Gorham Sterling Silver Monumental 19th Century Soup / Punch LadleBy GorhamLocated in New York, NYExtremely rare Gorham, sterling silver soup or punch ladle with intricate rope handle, and beautiful engraved, geometrically inspired motifs including stylized ivies from the last qu...Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSilver, Sterling Silver
- Early 19th Century Sterling Silver LadleLocated in High Point, NCEarly 19th century sterling silver large ladle with wonderful English hallmark that reads Richard Crossley, London, 1812. Engraved with a letter J on the handle.Category
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Set of Six 19th Century Gorham Sterling Silver Tea SpoonsBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Los Angeles, CAAmazing set of ornate sterling silver tea spoons. They are all marked Gorham sterling and pristine condition.Category
Antique 1890s American Edwardian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSilver
- Antique Gorham Edwardian Classical Sterling Silver BowlBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYTurn-of-the-century Edwardian classical sterling silver bowl. Made by Gorham in Providence. Round with lobed and concave sides. Wavy shoulder with applied leaves and flowers, and scr...Category
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver