Set of 9 American Sterling Silver Christmas Snowflake Ornaments
About the Item
- Creator:Gorham Manufacturing Company (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)Diameter: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 9
- Materials and Techniques:Sterling Silver,Hammered
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:20th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:North Miami, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6132230455082
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: North Miami, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Oleg Konstantinov Fully Articulated Gecko Made of Sterling SilverLocated in North Miami, FL21st century fully articulated gecko made of sterling silver by artist Oleg Konstantinov. It is realistically modeled with gold eyes and articulated ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Sterling Silver
MaterialsGold, Sterling Silver
- Oleg Konstantinov Fully Articulated Frog Made of Sterling SilverLocated in North Miami, FL21st century fully articulated frog made of sterling silver by artist Oleg Konstantinov. It is realistically modeled with gold eyes and articulated l...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Sterling Silver
MaterialsGold, Sterling Silver
- Attributed to Buccellati, 20th Century Sterling Silver CapercaillieBy BuccellatiLocated in North Miami, FLPresenting a remarkable 20th-century silver capercaillie sculpture, exquisitely attributed to the distinguished Buccellati workshop. This piece captures the essence of the capercaill...Category
20th Century Italian Animal Sculptures
MaterialsStone, Sterling Silver
- 19th Century German Extremely Detailed Sterling Silver and Gold Gilt KnightLocated in North Miami, FL19th Century German extremely detailed sterling silver and gold gilt knight figure. Knight in full suit of armour, carved face beneath a hinged visor made of white bone. The knight i...Category
Antique 19th Century German Sterling Silver
MaterialsStone, Sterling Silver
- Stuart Devlin Set of Twelve Silver and Silver-Gilt "Twelve Days of Christmas"By Stuart Devlin, CartierLocated in North Miami, FLIntroducing an extraordinary and complete collection of Twelve English silver and silver-gilt "Twelve Days of Christmas" gift boxes, presented...Category
Vintage 1970s English Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsSterling Silver
- 1920s Complete Set of 16 Sterling Silver, '950 Silver' Bowls by Tetard FreresBy Tetard FreresLocated in North Miami, FLA complete set of 16 sterling silver (950 Silver) French bowls by Tetard Freres from the 1920s. The bowls are octagonally shaped. Very clean and pure art-deco design and marked on the bottom by the maker. Tetard Frerer is famous for their elegant, traditional stylings and legendary quality. As "Silversmith to the King," Tetard Freres has been France's premier supplier of fine silver to the French Aristocracy since its founding in in 1880 by Edmond Tetard...Category
Early 20th Century French Sterling Silver
MaterialsSilver, Sterling Silver
- Sterling Snowflake Christmas OrnamentBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Brooklyn, NYA sterling silver snowflake captures the season’s festivities at its best. Hang it up on your tree and let the spirit of the holidays permeate your home.Category
1990s American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Sterling Christmas Snowflake OrnamentBy Kirk-StieffLocated in Brooklyn, NYWe are happy to offer you this sterling silver Christmas snowflake ornament by the Kirk-Stieff Silver Company of Baltimore, Maryland. This snowfla...Category
2010s American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Sterling Silver Christmas OrnamentBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Brooklyn, NYBeing offered is a sterling silver Christmas ornament made by Gorham Silversmiths of Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1983. It is of an ange...Category
Vintage 1980s American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Sterling Silver Christmas OrnamentBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Brooklyn, NYBeing offered is a sterling silver Christmas ornament made by Gorham Silversmiths of Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1985. It is of an angel play a m...Category
Vintage 1980s American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Sterling Silver Christmas OrnamentBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Brooklyn, NYBeing offered is a sterling silver Christmas ornament made by Gorham Silversmiths of Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1972. It is of a Mount...Category
Vintage 1970s American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Sterling Silver Christmas OrnamentBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Brooklyn, NYBeing offered is a sterling silver Christmas ornament made by Gorham Silversmiths of Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1980. It is of a toy s...Category
1990s American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver