Gorham Silver was founded in Providence, Rhode Island, 1831 by Jabez Gorham, a master craftsman, in partnership with Henry L. Webster. The firm’s chief product was spoons of coin silver. The company also made thimbles, combs, jewelry, and other small items. In 1842, the Congress enacted a tariff which effectively blocked the importation of silverware from outside the United States, which aided the American silver industry. Jabez Gorham did not take full advantage of this opportunity, but in 1847 Jabez retired and his son, John Gorham succeeded him as head of the company. Reference: Wikipedia
Below are some examples and price guides of some Art Nouveau items by Gorham including an example of their maker’s mark and a silver and enamel pitcher.
Gorham Maker’s Mark
Art Nouveau sterling mounted ruby glass vase, First half 20th c., marked for Gorham, stamped on underside of foot, 10.5″h x 5″w, approx. 8ozt.
Sold for $200 at Millea Bros Ltd in 2021
Claret jug Cologne bottle / Rosewater bottle Gorham Manufacturing Company 1893
A silver-gilt mounted and gem-set glass claret jug of baluster form, on circular foot, the glass body with cut-glass diamond patterns, the upper body engraved with gilt flower garlands, the silver gilt cagework with bellflower straps and set with amethysts, garnets, and moonstones at intervals, the silver-gilt clad stopper with calyx and beading and set with garnets and moonstones.
Manufacturers from around the world displayed their very best works at international expositions as advertisements for the beauty of their designs and the skills of their artisans. Gorham showed this jug at 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, in Chicago. The combination of cut glass and semi-precious stones within a frame of silver-gilt strapwork gives the jug a jewel-like delicacy. Gorham’s records indicate that the piece required more than 200 hours of labor and cost the enormous sum of $240 to make.
Reference: Museum of Fine Arts Boston
AN AMERICAN SILVER SIX-PIECE TEA AND COFFEE SET, GORHAM MFG. CO., PROVIDENCE, RI, 1898 comprising a Teapot, Coffee Pot, Kettle on Lampstand, Creamer, covered Sugar Bowl, Waste Bowl. Together with a two-handled silver Tray by the same, 7 pieces marked on bases, the set numbered A3400, the tray 727 249 oz gross 7744 g height of kettle on lampstand 15 in., length of tray over handles 25¼ in. 38 cm, 64 cm
Sold for 4,000 USD at Sotheby’s in 2020
AN AMERICAN ‘MARTELÉ’ SILVER TRAY Gorham, Rhode Island circa 1908 Shaped-rectangular form, the undulating border embossed with stylised floral decoration, length 39cm, weight 37oz.
Following the Arts and Crafts movement in England, William Codman (Gorham’s chief designer) introduced a new range of silverware. The pieces were to be in the Art Nouveau style and with a hammered finish: the French word martelé can be translated as ‘hammered’. First shown at a New York exhibition in 1897 and internationally at the 1900 Paris Exposition, the pieces achieved great praise.
Sold for £ 573 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2020
AN AMERICAN SILVER AND ENAMELED PITCHER MARK OF GORHAM MFG. CO., PROVIDENCE, 1897 Of shaped baluster form, with loop handle, the sides decorated with iris in lavender, blue and yellow enamel, marked under base, no. 1622M 7 ½ in. (9.3 cm.) high; 16 oz. (501 gr.)
Sold for USD 4,375 at Christie’s in 2015
