Traditional Georgian Sterling Silver Serving Tray by Gorham
View Similar Items
Traditional Georgian Sterling Silver Serving Tray by Gorham
About the Item
- Creator:Gorham Manufacturing Company (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 0.5 in (1.27 cm)Diameter: 12.25 in (31.12 cm)
- Style:Georgian (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: BP6071stDibs: LU89809324541
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.
- 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
- Antique Gorham Victorian Aesthetic Sterling Silver Christening MugBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYVictorian Aesthetic sterling silver christening mug. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1894. Straight sides with gently curved base. Curvilinear frame with zigzag and wavy borders betw...Category
Antique 1890s American Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique Gorham Craftsman Hand Hammered Sterling Silver PorringerBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYCraftsman sterling silver porringer. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1910. Traditional form. Unusual open geometric handle. Allover spot hammering. ...Category
Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique Gorham Zodiac Sterling Silver 3-Piece Baby SetBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYZodiac sterling silver 3-piece baby set. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1915. This set comprises mug, bowl, and plate. Cup: Straight sides, short inset foot,...Category
Vintage 1910s American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- 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
- Antique Gorham Sterling Silver Baby Cereal Bowl on PlateBy Gorham Manufacturing Company, J.E. Caldwell & Co.Located in New York, NYEdwardian sterling silver baby bowl on plate. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1911. Bowl has curved and tapering sides. Plate has well and wide should...Category
Vintage 1910s American Edwardian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Neoclassical Sterling Silver Child's Cup/Mug by GorhamBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYNeoclassical, sterling silver child's mug/cup, Gorham Mfg. Co, Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1860. Handle is decorated with a neoclassical woman's head. Interior is lightly gilded....Category
Antique 1860s American Neoclassical Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Neoclassical Style, Victorian Period Sterling Silver Tazza by GorhamBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYNeoclassical style, Victorian period, sterling silver tazza, Gorham Manufacturing Co., Providence, Rhode Island, year hallmarked for 1901. Decorated with grapes and mythological face...Category
Antique Early 1900s American Neoclassical Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Georgian English Sterling Silver Sugar BasketBy William StroudLocated in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon TyneA fine and impressive antique George III English sterling silver sugar basket; an addition to our Georgian silverware collection This impressive...Category
Antique 1790s English George III Sterling Silver
MaterialsSilver, Sterling Silver
- Sterling Silver Tray, Gorham, 1927By Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Brooklyn, NYWe are happy to offer you this sterling silver tray made by Gorham Silversmiths, hallmarked 1927. Designed in the iconic “Plymouth” pattern, this tray has been restored to it’s origi...Category
Vintage 1920s American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Serving TongsBy Elizabeth EatonLocated in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon TyneAn exceptional, fine and impressive, large pair of antique Victorian English sterling silver serving tongs; an addition to our silver flatware collection. These exceptional antique Victorian large sterling silver tongs have an oval shaped form. The surface of the blades of examples of sterling silver flatware are embellished with an impressive pierced and bright cut engraved scrolling leaf decoration accented with a central floral motif. The tapering stems are embellished with leaf textured design. The rounded handpieces are embellished with bright cut engraved scrolling leaf and floral decoration, incorporating vacant oval cartouches. The interior of the blades, stems and bridge are plain and unembellished. The pinching action of these antique silver tongs...Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSilver, Sterling Silver
- Georgian ‘George III’ Sterling Silver Footed Toast RackBy Barrage DavenportLocated in New York, NYGeorgian (George III), sterling silver, footed toast rack, London, 1784, Barrage Davenport - maker. Measures 5 inches to top of handle x 6 inches wide x 3 3/4 inches deep. Silver wir...Category
Antique 1780s English George III Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver