Gorham "Angelo" circa 1870 Sterling Silver Oyster Ladle

Gorham's Angelo aka No. 10 flatware pattern forms the core of the fabled (Henry Jewett and Elvira Irwin) "Furber Collection" of silver held at the "Rhode Island School of Design Museum."

Gorham Silver: Designing Brilliance 1850-1970 edited by Elizabeth Williams recounts,

"Sitting down to the Furbers' table, one would have been confronted with a bevy of Gorham flatware--687 pieces in all. The majority of serving and dining utensils are the Angelo pattern, which debuted in about 1870."

This example in the pattern is a 9 1/2" long, 2.7 T. oz., oyster (or perhaps bouillon) ladle or scoop.

A novel design, the pattern speaks with a graceful simplicity. The four sided, hollow handle widens and arcs upward and then turns downward, terminating in something of a hoof-like end which in this instance is engraved with a leaf script "G" monogram.

The handle appears to be wire wrapped at the join with the 2 7/8" wide, 2 1/2" back to front, 1" deep, bowl, to which it is attached with a tapered extension. The shoulders are notched and crimped.

The handle and the interior of the bowl are finely engraved in a non specific style, although the detailing seems to tend toward the Greek Revival.

In good condition, without bends, breaks, or splits in the handle, there is some overall light surface flecking, largely in the bowl, which shows one dimpled area on the backside where it would rest on a surface. There is an even patina.

It is marked with Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem and the word "Sterling" on the underside edge of the bowl.