Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Gorham Armorial Medallion Serving Spoon circa 1864
View Similar Items
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Gorham Armorial Medallion Serving Spoon circa 1864
About the Item
- Creator:Gorham Manufacturing Company (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 1.25 in (3.18 cm)Width: 2.25 in (5.72 cm)Depth: 9 in (22.86 cm)
- Style:Aesthetic Movement (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Sterling Silver,Metalwork
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1864
- Condition:Excellent with un-polished patina.
- Seller Location:Philadelphia, PA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU175826614283
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.
- 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
- Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Acanthus Pattern Serving Spoon, Denmark, circa 1917By Georg JensenLocated in Philadelphia, PADesigned by Johan Rodhe for Jensen and introduced in 1917, the Acanthus pattern is iconic of the European Arts & Crafts movement of the early 1900s. Showing the initialed mark of Geo...Category
Early 20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Acorn Pattern Serving Spoon Denmark circa 1915-1919By Georg JensenLocated in Philadelphia, PAA sterling silver serving spoon in the Classic Acorn pattern. Designed by Johan Rodhe for Jensen and introduced in 1915, the Acorn pattern is iconic of the European Arts & Crafts ...Category
Early 20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Gorham Sterling Silver Versailles Putti Pattern Patè Butter Spreaders, Set/12By Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Philadelphia, PAA set of twelve sterling silver butter or patè spreaders, in the ‘Versailles’ pattern from the Gorham Manufacturing Co. Providence Rhode Island, circa 1888. Designed by Antone Hel...Category
Antique Late 19th Century American American Classical Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Gorham Sterling Silver Floral Repoussé Chambersticks, circa 1920-1930, a PairBy GorhamLocated in Philadelphia, PAA pair of Gorham sterling silver Chambersticks, circa 1920-1930. A beautiful Repoussé pattern of roses, fans, shells, and scrolls. Each with a finger holder, charming for the bedsid...Category
Vintage 1920s American American Classical Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Gorham Sterling Silver Paneled Rectangular Celery or Relish Tray, circa 1940sBy GorhamLocated in Philadelphia, PAA sterling silver celery tray by Gorham, circa 1940s. A rectangular paneled tray with a rolled, shaped rim, very heavy in weight. Marked: Gorham Sterling...Category
Vintage 1940s American American Classical 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
- Sterling Silver “Maryland” Serving SpoonBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Brooklyn, NYBeing offered is a sterling silver serving spoon by Gorham Silversmiths in the “Maryland” pattern, hallmarked 1885. The handle has a floral motif, not etched but raised. The bowl i...Category
Antique 1880s American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Gorham 'Narragansett' Sterling- Silver Shell Dish & Figural Crab SpoonBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in West Palm Beach, FLGorham 'Narragansett' Sterling- Silver Shell Dish & Figural Crab Spoon USA, circa 1890s A rare find, two piece set in one of scarcest patterns of the Gorham Mfg. Co. 'Narragansett', a sculptural Shell Dish & Figural Crab Spoon, this offering is the example without a slight gold wash finish. This sterling silver shell oyster shell complete with figural crab spoon, a diminutive work, yet a captivating piece is a true testament to the artistry of Gorhams American Aesthetic silversmithing. The oval shell is skillfully encrusted with barnacles, creating a mesmerizing texture, and is raised on a smaller vertical rough piddock shell, complete with a rare addition a intertwined rope crab encrusted nautilus spoon. The shell dish bears the hallmarks of Gorham Silver Company. The serving dish speaks volumes of its quality. Its dimensions, measuring 1.5 inches high, 4.5 inches wide, and 2.5 inches deep, are complemented by the 5-inch by 1-inch wide three-dimensional crab-encrusted nautilus spoon, apparently unmarked. This duo is a rare and unique find, a captivating addition to any table service or collection. Weighing in approximately 5 ounces of sterling silver, this set not only highlights the exceptional craftsmanship of the short lived aesthetic period, embodying the essence of mindful, high-quality Victorian artistry. We are pleased to let you know at the time of posting we are offering another example Gorham 'Narragansett' Gold Washed Sterling Shell Dish...Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Strasbourg Gorham Sterling Silver Serving Spoon w/ Pierced Bowl & TinesBy GorhamLocated in Van Nuys, CAThe gracefully arched handles of this exquisite pattern are adorned with intricate scrollwork, drawing inspiration from the rococo design style characterized by elegant, shell-like c...Category
Antique Late 19th Century North American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
$300 Sale Price20% Off - 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
- Early 20th Century Sterling Silver Gorham Berry SpoonBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Chapel Hill, NCSterling silver King George pattern berry spoon by Gorham, early 20th century. Monogram EC. 1894 pattern. 4.40 troy oz. 9 1/8" x 2 15/16" w. bowl. Whitehall Antiques is a family bus...Category
Early 20th Century American Georgian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver