Pair of Antique Gorham American Classical Silver Ewers
About the Item
- Creator:Gorham Manufacturing Company (Maker),Starr & Marcus (Retailer)
- Dimensions:Height: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)Width: 6.63 in (16.85 cm)Depth: 5.75 in (14.61 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:American Classical (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Mid-19th Century
- Condition:Nice patina and visible handwork.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Magnificent American Classical Coin Silver Tureen by GorhamBy J.E. Caldwell & Co., Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYMagnificent American classical coin silver tureen. Made by Gorham in Providence, circa 1860. Curved ovoid bowl on stepped oval foot mounted to four beaded and round supports. Cover d...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Classical Sterling Silver
MaterialsSilver
- Antique American Edwardian Classical Sterling Silver Water PitcherBy Frank W. SmithLocated in New York, NYEdwardian Classical sterling silver water pitcher. Made by Frank W. Smith in Gardner, Mass., ca 1910. Full-bodied globular bowl on domed foot; reeded and capped high-looping handle a...Category
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique American Edwardian Classical Sterling Silver Water PitcherBy Bailey, Banks & BiddleLocated in New York, NYAmerican Edwardian Classical sterling silver water pitcher, circa 1910. Retailed by Bailey, Banks & Biddle in Philadelphia. Wide-bodied baluster with leaf-capped c-scroll handle; rai...Category
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Pitchers
MaterialsSterling Silver
- English Georgian Classical Sterling Silver Ewer, 18th CenturyLocated in New York, NYEnglish Georgian Classical sterling silver ewer, 18th century. Girdled ovoid bowl and scrolled helmet mouth with beaded and flowering strapwork rim; cast double-scroll handle with Ve...Category
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Pitchers
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Gorham Plymouth Sterling Silver Water Pitcher, 1909By Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYPlymouth sterling silver water pitcher. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1909. Tapering and paneled ovoid body, reeded helmet mouth, capped scroll bracket handle, and stepped oval foo...Category
Antique Early 1900s American Neoclassical Revival Pitchers
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Traditional American Classical Sterling Silver Water PitcherBy Dominick & HaffLocated in New York, NYTraditional Classical sterling silver water pitcher. Made by Dominick & Haff in New York, ca 1920. Tapering and faceted bowl on round and stepped foot. High-looping capped and scroll...Category
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Revival Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Gorham Coin Silver Pitcher Ewer from 1850sBy GorhamLocated in New York, NYCoin silver pitcher / ewer from mid- to late 1850s by Gorham, retailed by Crosby, Hubbard, & Morse in Boston, measuring 11 1/2'' in height and 7 3/...Category
Antique 1850s American Pitchers
MaterialsSilver
- Matched Pair Antique Austrian Silver-Gilt Ewers Circa 1780sLocated in New York, USOur pair of elegant silver-gilt ewers are attributed to the Austrian maker, Johann Georg Hann of Vienna, circa 1780-1800. Heights: 17 7/8 and 22 1/2 in; 45 a...Category
Antique Late 18th Century Austrian Neoclassical Pitchers
MaterialsSilver
- Pair of Victorian English Silver EwersLocated in New York, NYMarked: London, 1859, Maker: John S. Hunt.Category
Antique 1850s English Pitchers
MaterialsSilver
- Antique Tibetan Silver Ceremonial EwerLocated in Montreal, QCThis is a water ewer used in Tibetan ritual offerings to the "hungry ghosts". They have been reborn so, as a result of greed and avarice and are condemned to wander as spirits with b...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Tibetan Tibetan Pitchers
MaterialsSilver
- Superb Renaissance Style Large Antique Gorham Sterling Silver Pitcher, Circa 1880By Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYA magnificent ewer with exquisite repousse silver work depicting generous campagna vases overflowing with flowers, set on scrolled foliate bases. The rim decoration featuring a lined ribbon motif adorned with wreaths. Front design with a large oval laurel leaf border medallion topped with a depiction of a beautiful maiden flanked by wide foliate forms and Belle Epoque scrolls. Very good condition commensurate with age, a few tiny unobtrusive surface dings- please see detail photographs. Museum quality work of art, a spectacular vessel for all forms of libations. Makes an outstanding centerpiece, wedding / anniversary gift. 32.8 troy ounces. Marks: Sterling, Gorham Manufacturing Co. late 19th century hallmarks, letter M for the year 1880. Measures: diameter: 10 inches handle to spout, 6.5 inches body. height: 9.25 iinches. The Gorham Manufacturing Co. along with Tiffany & Co. are considered the two most influential American silver makers of the 19th century. Gorham pieces were the choice of a number of United States presidents: Ulysses S. Grant comissioned the spectacular Century Vase, Mary Todd...Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Renaissance Revival Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Gorham Sterling Silver Pitcher or JugBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Hamilton, OntarioGorham sterling silver pitcher or jug.Category
Early 20th Century American Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver