Impressive Gorham Morning Glory Sterling Soup Ladle

Gorham's circa 1870 Morning Glory is a design that sought faithfully to replicate a natural form in silver. This effort was shared by a number of makers, including George Sharp, Whiting, and Wood & Hughes. This 13 1/2" long soup ladle is of a scale that exhibits the artisanship of this work to its fullest. The design employs a tubular shank that is joined to the bowl with decorative leaves. The leaves cleverly serve a dual purpose as they are also a part of the engineering of the piece. The end of the handle is actually an assemblage of components, put together much as a jeweler might work the project, to form a three dimensional blossom and leaves. Aesthetics and mechanics combine fully in this approach, as even the wire that represents a tendril serves to reinforce the construction. The condition is mint. There is no damage whatsoever. The bowl is free of dings, dents, or burrs, and retains most of its original gold wash. Marks are the Gorham lion, anchor, G, and Sterling placed on the outside edge of the bowl.