Catalog

Gorham's numbered items were generally made in a limited number of pieces rather than a full line, and were often enhanced in some manner, such as incorporating unusual design and/or a higher degree of finish than regular production items.

This 4 3/8" long, .64 T. oz., pair of tongs are stamped with the number "15" on the inside arch along with Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, and "Sterling," and are, consistent with the above statement, an unusual design and particularly well-finished.

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Gorham produced a line of specialty, cast, flatware, pieces of which were identified by a number preceded by an H designation. Items included large and small bon bons as well as a series of exceptionally large serving spoons, and perhaps other items.

This example is model number H156, as identified on the backside, which is also stamped with Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem and the word "Sterling." Immensely scaled, it measures 10 1/4" long and weighs an exceptionally heavy 5.5...

One of several specially designed, numbered, oyster, aka shrimp or seafood cocktail, forks that Gorham presented in its 1886 catalogue (see enlargement 2), No. 10 features a ball top with twisted stems.

This offering is for a full set of twelve matched pieces, all in flawless, original condition.

Each one measures 5 7/8" long, while the group weigh 4.7 T. oz.

They have three tines, the center one of which is spear form, joined to a cupped heel with scalloped shoulde...

Lengthy at 10 1/4" and weighing 2.6 T. oz., this all silver server is likely a fish slice although some sources identify it as an ice cream server.

Ice cream servers tend to be more bulbous or stubby than fish slices, while conversely the later is more slender and generally has a more pointed tip and flatter surface than the former, and this goes in that direction. For contemporary usage, it could be used for a multitude of purposes.

Made by Gorham, whose "lion, anchor, G" emblem and the wo...

Among Gorham's oldest full line patterns, New Tipt was introduced in 1871. This 5 5/8" long, .6 T. oz., sugar spoon is an early example, monogrammed on the handle front "C.E.F." in script and with the date "1872" on the reverse.

More detailed than a standard Tipt design, this version incorporates Greek and/or Egyptian Revival features set on a broad end, tubular shank, handle. These features carry onto the backside heel of the plum shaped with central vee, gold washed, bowl.

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Among Gorham's oldest full line patterns, New Tipt was introduced in 1871.

Decidedly distinct from a standard Tipt design, it incorporates period Greek and/or Egyptian Revival motifs such as palmettes, reeds, and beading, set on a broad, pointed end, handle with a tubular shank.

This example is a 5 5/8" long, .7 T. oz., early pastry or pickle fork.

This has an Old English letter "B" monogram on the handle backside, and is in flawless estate condition, free of...

Each of these twelve identical, sterling silver, coffee--slightly larger than a demitasse--spoons measures 4 1/4" long with the set weighing 3.4 T. oz.

The pattern is Gorham's original Mothers issued in 1875, versus a new version introduced in 1926.

Mother's is essentially a Pointed Antique design with a plain back handle and exposed drop on the heel.

These are all engraved with the same "MTC" line script monogram on the fronts, and have gold washed finishes on both...

One of the most expressive of renowned Gorham designer Antoine Heller's patterns, Medici aka Old Medici features figures and imagery drawn from the Italian Renaissance period.

Most references date the pattern to 1880, although Charles Carpenter in his benchmark Gorham Silver places it about 1883.

This piece is a large, 13" long, nearly 7.0 T. oz. (215 grams), all silver soup ladle.

The intricacy of the design shows to full advantage at this essentially massive scale...

Measuring 6 3/8" long and weighing just over .8 T. oz. (26 grams), this piece is a youth fork in Gorham's classical Medallion pattern.

A multi-motif design, this piece features the profile of a left-facing female, possibly Hera, who was the queen of the gods.

The backside is plain save for the marks which are Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Pat. 1864" and "Sterling," along with the name "Robby Lew." engraved in script lettering on the end.

In excellent condition, the f...

Classically inspired, featuring figures from mythology, "Medallion" flat and hollow ware evolved in the 1860s and was produced by numerous manufacturers of the period.

In its ascendancy at the time, Gorham produced a "Medallion" that set a standard for the motif, becoming in fact the line of choice for then retailer only "Tiffany & Co."

This 6 7/8" long, 1.2 T. oz., piece is variously identified as a tea, dessert, or breakfast fork.

The portraiture is a right facing head of a woman with...

Outstanding among the various Medallion patterns produced during the 1860s, Gorham's version was the one chosen by Tiffany & Co. to offer under its retail banner.

This factor may explain the reason why it was more often than not made to a sterling silver standard, which Tiffany required, versus the typical coin of the period.

This 5 7/8" long, .8 T. oz., sugar spoon mirrors this practice. It is marked with a "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Pat. 1864," "Gorham & Co.," and "Sterling" on th...

Soup ladles in the Victorian era were characteristically large and this example is dramatic validation of this convention.

It measures 14" long and weighs 8.1 T. oz.

The capacious helmet-shaped bowl is 4 1/2" long by 3 1/2" at the widest, and 1 1/2" at the deepest (see image 2). It has a bright gold finish on the interior.

Made by Gorham, whose "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," "Pat. 1864," and the name of the retailer, "Geo. W. Webb & Co.," Baltimore, the pattern is "Medallion."

An early line pattern, Gorham's Louis XIV, is Greek Revival in style in spite of carrying a French name.

The main feature is an anthemion leaf, with additional detailing reminiscent of Gorham's also Greek Revival Corinthian design of the same period.

This example is a lengthy 5 1/4", .9 T. oz., pair of sugar tongs with gold washed claw or talon grips and columnar legs.

In superb condition, this pair have never been monogrammed on either the reserve shields on the ar...

Larger than most such pieces, this fish slice measures 12 1/8" long and weighs a substantial 3.7 T. oz.

The pattern is Lady Washington, which was one of Gorham's early lines, dating from 1876, the year of the American Centennial. That anniversary may have occasioned the development of the design given the name is associated with the first family of the then new nation.

The pattern features the profile of a courtly looking female figure set against a background of classical imagery t...

Gorham's first iteration of what eventually evolved into three, four counting "King George," interpretations of this standard English design, "Kings I" was issued in 1876.

The pattern incorporates traditional elements such as shell and honeysuckle, and embellishes them with rosettes and an acanthus leaf pendant.

This example is a generously sized 7 1/2" long, 2.1 T. oz., gravy ladle.

The bowl is particularly decorative (see enlargement two for detail). It has a wide, curved, rim with a ...

Josephine was one of the earliest line patterns produced by Gorham, as indicated by the "Patent 1855" and "Coin" that appear on the backside of this example, which is a full-size, 7 1/2" long, just over 1.5 T. oz., dinner fork.

The design is characterized by a die struck leaf, scroll, and anthemion that appear on the handle obverse, minus the leaf on the backside, and an expanded leaf on the reverse heel.

This has a fancy, feathered script, "AP Borden" en...

The 1880s generated innumerable engraved floral flatware patterns from various manufacturers, with Gorham's 1885 "Jac Rose" one of the most well-received. Its appeal continues to the present day.

This example is a large, 5 1/4" long, 1.0 T. oz., pair of sugar tongs.

The basic pattern is an "Old English," i.e. "Antique Tipt," with an open blossom, bud, and leaves engraved on a matte finish ground at the top and midpoint of the arms.

The grips are highly detailed talon or claw form, with ...

One of Gorham's earliest full line patterns, patented in 1868 as stamped in the reverse of this 6 1/4" long, .6 T. oz., sugar spoon, Ivy has a tubular stem and broad, convex handle end that features an intricately rendered portraiture of ivy leaves and berries set against a stippled ground.

The handle reverse is engraved with a delicately inscribed, feathered "HC" monogram.

Additional marks include the company's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, the word "Sterling," and the name of the reta...