#gorham silver

On display at the Smithsonian.

Hand hammered sterling silver water pitcher in the form of a rattlesnake. Early 1880s and made by Gorham in Providence Rhode Island. The Gorham Silver exhibit is closing tomorrow at RISD before moving to two more museums. This pitcher is owned by MFA Boston. Aesthetic Movement design doesn’t get any better.

Gorham repousse sterling silver flask, c1890's

Hand hammered copper with applied silver mounts. This is a box for cigars. Gorham 1902. Art Nouveau at its most luxe.

Martele was the entirety hand hammered line that Gorham produced in the 1897-1910 period. It generally followed art nouveau designs and was incredibly expensive when new. This loving cup has enameled columbines. Gorham at this time employed 3500 works at its Providence factory.

At the Gorham Silver exhibit at the RISD Museum. This extraordinary show is closing tomorrow before moving on tour. The desk and chair on the right took more than 10,000 hours and 50 pounds of silver to make. The wood frame is inlaid with ebony, arborvitae, ivory, mother of pearl, and the silver is handmade. Designed by William Codman in 1903 for the St. Louis Exposition where it won Gold Prize. The silver dressing table on the left won Gold at the 1899 Paris Exposition. Amazing craftsmanship, to say the least. By creating show stoppers the company got great press and attracted a broader customer base. In 1910 Gorham employed 3500 workers at its Providence Rhode Island factory.

silver and plique a jour enamel open salt dish. Gorham 1895