Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service Lot, Unknown Pattern, 22 Pcs
About the Item
- Creator:Gorham Manufacturing Company (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 1 in (2.54 cm)Width: 1 in (2.54 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 22
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1922
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Big Bend, WI
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU102247100943
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: Big Bend, WI
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Gorham Sterling Shell Aka Hampton Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 45 PcsBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Big Bend, WI"Gorham Sterling Shell" AKA "Hampton" by Gorham sterling silver Flatware set - 45 pieces. This classic shell and thread style pattern was origina...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Tableware
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Imperial Chrysanthemum Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 67 Pcs DinnerBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Big Bend, WIDinner Size Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham sterling silver Flatware set, 67 pieces. This pattern was designed by William Codman for ...Category
20th Century Tableware
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Imperial Chrysanthemum Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 67 Pcs DinnerBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Big Bend, WIDinner Size Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham sterling silver Flatware set, 67 pieces. This pattern was designed by William Codman for ...Category
20th Century Tableware
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Angelo by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 75 pcs DinnerBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Big Bend, WIExceedingly rare Dinner and Luncheon size Angelo by Gorham, circa 1870, sterling silver Flatware set - 75 pieces. This pattern features unusual, shaped, hollow handles. This set incl...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Luxembourg by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service 48 Pcs DinnerBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Big Bend, WIDinner size Luxembourg by Gorham sterling silver flatware set - 48 pieces. This set includes: 8 dinner size knives, with blunt plated blades, 9 5/8" 8 dinner size forks, 7 5/8" 8 ...Category
20th Century Tableware
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Camellia by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service Luncheon 49 PcsBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Big Bend, WICamellia by Gorham sterling silver flatware set, 49 pieces. This set includes: Eight knives, 8 3/4". Eight forks, 7 1/8". Eight salad forks, 6 1/2"...Category
Vintage 1940s Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Large Buccellati Rigato Pattern Sterling Silver Flatware Service for 12By BuccellatiLocated in Philadelphia, PAA very fine Buccellati sterling silver flatware service for 12. In the Rigato (Striped) pattern. Buccellati has produced lux...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Etruscan Flatware by GorhamBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Brooklyn, NYThe Etruscan pattern has been a winner with customers ever since it was first introduced in 1913. Straight Classic lines with only the Etruscan pattern on the very end. A contemporar...Category
Vintage 1910s American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Sterling Silver Flatware Set / 80 PiecesBy Towle SilversmithsLocated in Brooklyn, NYBeing offered is a complete set -- service for 16 -- sterling silver flatware by Towle Silversmiths. First introduced in 1939, this p...Category
Vintage 1930s American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- King Edward Flatware, Service for 12By Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Brooklyn, NYFirst introduced in 1936, King Edward by Gorham has been very popular since. Old world daintiness and charm are yours for the taking in this lovely flatwar...Category
Vintage 1930s American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Acorn Pattern Breakfast Spoon Service Mixed Set / 8By Georg JensenLocated in Philadelphia, PAAn assembled sterling silver breakfast service, consisting of a pastry server, two jam spoons and five mocha spoons - a set of eight in the Classic acorn pattern. Measure: One pasty server 6.5 in. L x 1 3/8 W Five mocha spoons 3.75 in. L x .75 in. H. Initialed with a B on the verso. Two jam spoons 4 3/8 in. L x 1 in. H Designed by Johan Rodhe for Jensen and introduced in 1915, the Acorn pattern is iconic of the European Arts & Crafts movement of the early 1900s. The mocha and jam spoons are showing the Georg Jensen, Denmark mark used circa 1933-1944. The pastry server is marked, USA Royal Danish International Silver...Category
Early 20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Service, 705 PiecesBy GorhamLocated in New Orleans, LAThis monumental American sterling silver flatware service by Gorham epitomizes the stately glamour of turn-of-the-century dining. A to...Category
Antique 19th Century American Rococo Tableware
MaterialsSterling Silver