What design elements prompted Gorham to adopt the name "Colonial" for this 1885 design is something of a mystery because it does not follow after any conventional colonial motif. The main feature of the pattern is striping that runs up about two-thirds of the handle. This is more subtle than appears, as the surface alternates between convex and concave and suggests banding, perhaps of a naturalistic material such as bamboo...

Measuring 8 7/8" long and weighing 2.0 T. oz., this berry or serving spoon was made by Gorham and stamped with that company's lion, anchor, G symbol. Other marks include Patent 1871 and Sterling. The pattern is Corinthian. Apropos of the name, it has a fan or leaf design element akin to Gorham's Grecian (see item 989f) patented in 1861, but overall is Moorish in feel. It is double die struck, meaning the design appears on both sides of the handle...

Stamped with the Gorham lion, anchor, G, "Pat. 71," and "Sterling," this 5 5/8" long, 1.0 T. oz., cream ladle is a fine period piece. The pattern is Corinthian, which falls generally in a Moresque style with, as implied by the name, a nod toward classical Greek design. The piece is a form commonly referred to as a "bucket ladle." The term derives from the shape of the bowl which is this case is 7/8" deep and 1 1/2" across at the top...

At 8" long, this is a large master butter knife. The pattern is Gorham's early 1870's "Corinthian." This is a handsome example, with fine detailing, including an engraved blade. There is an elegant, period monogram (EK?). The condition is excellent. The blade is even, and free of bends, nicks, or burrs. The finish is nicely patinated. Marks are lion, anchor, G, Sterling, Pat. 71, and the name of the retailer. This is rubbed, but appears to be Robbxxxx.

J.W. Tucker was a noted and successful San Francisco retailer with dates from the 1850's to the 1880's. It is an ongoing matter of how much silver was made by the prominent California houses, and how much was simply retailed by those firms, but Tucker seems largely to have been a marketeer. This 12 1/2" long, heavy, 6.7 T...

A 19th form, this cake knife aka cake saw (taken from the sawtooth top edge of the blade), is 9 3/8" long and weighs 2.4 T. oz. It is flat handled and solid silver. The pattern is "Domestic," by Gorham, dating from 1881. It features intricate ivy detailing, with a small bee and dragonfly beside a central rosette, and a fan end. It is a pastoral and charming design, and touches upon the aesthetic mode with the insect figures...

This Fiddle Thread fork measures 7" long and is quite heavy at 1.6 T. oz. It would have been used for tea or dessert. The backside is stamped Gorham & Co., which is a mark that was used by that company 1852-65, and "Coin." The front is engraved A.L. Fiske in script lettering. It is in very good condition, with surface scratches on the tines, which also show slight tip wear.

Gorham's 1885 "Old Masters" was a stand out line of figural pieces featuring an array of European artistic notables. This example is a 5 3/8" long cream or sauce ladle. It is heavy, weighing 1.5 T. oz., largely related to its substantial, three dimensional, cast handle. The imagery is sculptural in quality and has detailed design elements that are finely rendered...

This sterling silver serving spoon is 9" long and heavy. The pattern is Gorham's Florentine. This is an expressive design that features a Renaissance style bearded figure at the end of the handle. This is an old example, with decorated flanged shoulders on the bowl. It has a script "EWK" monogram and is in outstanding condition. The bowl is free of dings, burrs, or dents, and retains part of its original gold wash. The form is flawless, and the finish finely patinated...

Gorham's "Medallion" was the pattern of choice offered by mid 1860's Tiffany & Co. when it was only a retailer and not a manufacturer. This 5 7/8" long, .8 T. oz., ice cream spoon is an example of this partnership. It is stamped lion, anchor, G for Gorham, "Pat. 1864," "Tiffany & Co.," and "Sterling" on the plain backside. The figure is a youthful helmeted male warrior. The blunt end bowl has a ribbed interior and notched and slightly flanged shoulders. The bowl evidences very scant traces ...

Measuring 5 3/8" wide, standing 1" high, and weighing 2.5 T. oz., this sterling silver piece is item number "121" made by Gorham, as indicated by the marks on the underside. It is highly decorative, portraying in a naturalistic manner slanted toward Art Nouveau, a variety of fruit arrayed on the undulating rim. These include alternating clusters of cherries, strawberries, and blackberries with their respective leaves and stems. The edge of the rim is formed into an encircling twig or branch, ...

General Israel Putnam was a fabled Revolutionary War figure whose name and exploits were well known in the late 19th century, the period of this piece. The specific subject of this 5 1/2" long teaspoon was his encounter with a marauding she wolf in the northeastern Connecticut town of Pomfret. The neighboring town of Putnam is named for him. The full story of this spoon and its historical references is recorded in Anton Hardt's "Souvenir Spoons of the 90's" which is comprised of facsimile pag...