For nearly 160 years, the Gorham Manufacturing Company turned out a wide range of beautiful silver flatware, tea sets, serving bowls and other silver pieces, indelibly influencing the field of decorative arts in ways that still resonate.
When silversmiths Jabez Gorham and Henry Webster started making coin silver teaspoons and jewelry out of a small workshop in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1831, the pair likely had no idea that their modest operation would one day become the largest silver manufacturer in the world.
While some name changes and personnel shifts preceded the foundry officially being established as Gorham Manufacturing Company decades later, growth of the business between its early days and the mid–19th century can largely be attributed to the work of Jabez’s son John, who assumed control of Gorham in the 1840s.
John Gorham introduced steam power at the manufactory. He entered into a partnership with Michael Gibney, the first American silversmith to register a design patent for a flatware pattern. Gorham wanted to expand the business, seeking to produce forks and spoons adorned with decorative flourishes adapted from British patterns. The company hammered out the silver flatware, which it sent to Gibney in New York to apply decorative patterns before returning to Gorham. Consequently, Gorham found Gibney’s work unsatisfactory, and he purchased his own rolling press to do the work himself.
The partnership between John and Michael soured but the company thrived. Sales grew to more than $20,000 per year, and the staff of silversmiths expanded. To keep up with demand, Gorham had to retire its horse-powered rolling press and import a steam-powered drop press from England — the first used in the United States. Designs created at Gorham drew on natural-world motifs as well as artistic traditions from all over the world — alongside its tableware, the company would soon be producing cups and pitchers adorned with polar bears and forest creatures, while tea services and other serving pieces were crafted in a range of styles that included Art Nouveau, Egyptian Revival and Rococo.
Around 1860, Gorham delved into bronze casting. When it opened a division dedicated to bronze work, Gorham collaborated with sculptors such as Daniel Chester French, Anna Hyatt Huntington and Alexander P. Proctor.
By the 1920s, Gorham had employed thousands of workers and had partnered with Danish modernist silversmith Erik Magnussen. However, the Great Depression ground production to a halt. The company was sold to Textron, Inc. in the late 1960s and it changed hands several times before it sold to Department 56 in 2005.
Today, the work of Gorham Manufacturing Company continues to be exhibited in galleries and museums. The RISD Museum in Providence houses a collection of nearly 5,000 works.
On 1stDibs, find a range of antique Gorham Manufacturing Company serveware and decorative objects.
Set of 12 Gorham Puritan Goblets with Neoclassical Harp
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Set of 12 Puritan sterling silver goblets. Made by Gorham in Providence. Each: Spare and elegant form with subtle bell-form bowl on cylindrical stem flowing into raised foot. Etched ...
Sterling Silver
Victorian Period, Sterling Silver Mustache Cup by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Period, sterling silver mustache cup, Gorham manufacturing Corp., Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1895. Measures 3 inches high x 3 inches diamet...
Sterling Silver
Antique Gorham Victorian Repousse Sterling Silver Flask, 1890
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian sterling silver flask. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1890. Ovoid bowl with dense floral repousse. Plain, hinged, and cork-lined bayonet cover. Ladylike medicinal size. Fu...
Sterling Silver
$920Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Gorham Victorian Classical Coin Silver Baby Cup
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Classical coin silver baby cup. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1860. Straight sides with stepped mouth rim and base; scroll bracket handle with rosettes. Engraved stylize...
Silver
Wonderful Gorham Sterling Silver Rattan Dolphin Coffee Tea Pot Decanter Pitcher
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful North American sterling silver black coffee pot, Gorham Mfg. Co., Providence, Ri, Baluster form with long slender spout, the lower body embossed, the handle wrapped with ...
Sterling Silver
Antique Gorham Sterling Olive Bowl and Tongs
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1884, sterling, Gorham. This unequivocally charming serving piece embodies the relaxed refinement of the Victorian era. Complete with tongs, this rare example of a figural Gorham olive dish...
Sterling Silver
Gorham Strasbourg Sterling Silver Goblet
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Strasbourg sterling silver goblet. Made by Gorham in Providence. Tall and tapering bowl with flared rim; cylindrical stem flowing into raised foot with chased leafing scroll border. ...
Sterling Silver
Victorian Sterling Silver-Mounted Decanter and 4 Matching Glasses, Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Period, sterling silver-mounted decanter with hinged lid and having four matching glasses, Gorham Manufacturing Company, Providence, Rhode Island, year-hallmarked for 1894....
Sterling Silver
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
Gorham Victorian Sterling Silver & Brilliant-Cut Glass Decanter, 1892
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian brilliant-cut glass decanter with sterling silver mounts. Made by Gorham in Providence, in 1892. Globular bowl with fluted neck and faceted c-scroll handle. Fern and diaper...
Sterling Silver
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
Gorham Green Decanter with Ye Olden Days Pictorial Silver Overlay
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian glass whiskey jug decanter with engraved silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1886. Round bowl with flat sides and c-scroll handle mounted to neck and shoulder....
Silver
$543Sale Price|20% Off
Gorham Brilliant-Cut Glass and Sterling Silver Moon Flask Decanter
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Brilliant-cut-glass and sterling silver decanter. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1894. Round body with thumb ring handle. Cut ornament in arched frames. Co...
Sterling Silver
$876Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Gorham Victorian Classical Coin Silver Baby Cup
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Classical coin silver baby cup. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1860. Straight sides; bracket handle with volute scroll cap and split mount. Engraved leafing-scroll cartou...
Silver
Marie Antoinette by Gorham Sterling Silver Ice Bowl Set, Hollowware & Barware
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Marie Antoinette by Gorham. Marvelous Marie Antoinette by Gorham sterling silver ice bowl set. This set includes: One round tray that is marked #497, it weighs 37.75 ozt., and ...
Sterling Silver
Antique Gorham American Edwardian Classical Sterling Silver Baby Cup
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Classical sterling silver baby cup. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1910. Baluster bowl with looping handle and raised foot; alternating narrow and wide gadroons with boss...
Sterling Silver
Gorham Silver and Glass Whiskey Jug in Snail Pattern, circa 1900
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Gorham stopper fully marked. The glass by Jay Hoare, Corning NY, circa 1890. Whiskey Jug and Stopper in "Snail" Pattern. Colorless lead glass, silver; blown, cut, engraved. Squat cy...
Silver
$580Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Gorham Edwardian Sterling Silver & Crystal Decanter
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian crystal decanter with sterling silver stopper. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1897. Bell-form bowl with baluster neck, U-form spout, and c...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
American Coin Silver '.900' Cup/Mug on Pedestal Base by Bailey & Co.
Located in New York, NY
American Coin Silver (.900) cup/mug on pedestal base, Bailey and Company, Philadelphia, circa 1846-1878. Decorated with country cabins in the woods. Bead work decorates the upper rim...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Liquor Decanter Bottle Name Tags 7 Available
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Beautiful sterling silver liquor & wine decanter name tags. Marked sterling, some with hallmarks two marked made in Spain. They run the gamut from gin to...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Amber Wine Goblets - Set of 4
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 4 gorgeous wine goblets in amber glass. Lovely simple modern shape with glass that thickens towards the base of the glass. Each measures 2.5"Dia x 4.5"H
Glass
$4,800 / set
H 6.75 in Dm 3 in
Set of 12 Val St. Lambert Handblown Crystal Cameo Goblets with Gold Roman Motifs
By Val Saint Lambert
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a magnificent set of 12 water or wine goblets made by Val St. Lambert. Each one is handblown, panel cut bowl with cameo cut frieze of Roman figures embellished with gold leaf...
Crystal
Vintage Tiffin Franciscan Madeira Green Goblets - Set of 6
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 6 vintage 1970s Tiffin Franciscan Madeira green wine goblets. Made of thick glass with a heavy weight and beautiful detailing formed into t...
Glass
Noritake Spotlight Blue Wine Goblets - Set of 6
By Noritake
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 6 vintage wine goblets in beautiful dark blue glass. Lovely textured ornate pattern to the exterior with smooth interiors. Made in the "Spotlight Blue" pattern by Noritake a...
Glass
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver / Gilt Punch Bowl Service / 8 People
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Tiffany & Co. sterling silver / gilt barware / tableware art deco style punch bowl service for eight people . The set include 10 piece altogether. Eight drinking cup. One large punch bowl. One serving ladle. Each piece is in great condition. Minor wear / oxidation consistent with age & use. Maker's mark undersigned on each piece. The punch bowl...
Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique Gorham Sterling Silver Reticulated String or Thread Holder
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique string holder. In sterling silver. By the Gorham Manufacturing Company. Retailed by Black, Starr, & Frost. With a reticulated ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Silver Kiddush Cup with Ornate Landscape Motifs
Located in New York, NY
This stunning antique sterling silver Kiddush cup, crafted in Russia circa 1880, exemplifies the masterful artistry and richness of 19th-century Judaica. Designed for the ceremonial ...
Sterling Silver
Alexander Sturm Silver Cup “Vienna Cup”
Located in Wien, AT
silver cup from the renowned Viennese silversmith’s workshop Alexander Sturm. This collector’s item captivates with the charming contrast between its smooth, conical sides and its sc...
Silver
Victorian Sterling Silver Gilt Goblet by Daniel & Charles Houle, 1861
By Daniel & Charles Houle
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian sterling silver gilt goblet; an addition to our wine and drinks related silverware collection. This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver gilt goblet has a circular bell shaped form onto a knopped pedestal and circular spreading foot, in the classic pineapple style. The body of this impressive antique silver goblet is composed of chased and embossed lozenge shaped convex panels, replicating the fruitlets/spikes of a pineapple, each ornamented with a quatrefoil-floral design. The decoration to the body incorporates an impressive quatrefoil shaped cartouche displaying the contemporary engraved monogram initials 'HM'. The upper rim is encompassed with an applied band of bead decoration. The waisted pedestal features a circular knop to the centre encircled with further floral motifs. The circular spreading foot is encompassed with a continuation of segmented lozenge panels, reflecting that of the body. This sterling silver goblet retains the original gilding; the gilding to the exterior of the goblet has worn with age in a sympathetic fashion. Condition This antique 1800s silver gilt goblet is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional presentation condition. Full hallmarks struck to the surface of this Victorian silver goblet...
Sterling Silver
Pink Swirl Wine Goblets - Set of 6 - France
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 6 vintage wine glasses in a pale blush pink hue. Each glass has a lovely swirl design. Made in France by Arcoroc. Each glass measures 3.25"Dia x 6.25"H
Glass
Sold
H 9.13 in W 4.5 in D 1 in
Antique Gorham 1 Pint Sterling Silver Art Deco Blimp or Dirigible Quilted Flask
By Gorham Manufacturing Company, Frank Lloyd Wright, Tiffany & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine American Art Deco flask. By Gorham. In the elusive pattern often referred to as 'Quilted'. This pattern is said to mimic the design of Deco period dirigibles or blimps. By...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Four Pint Cocktail Jug, circa 1946
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in London, GB
An exceptionally large 4 pint sterling silver (925 purity) American cocktail jug, with integral strainer in the top. The base of the jug is stamped with the three marks that America’...
Sterling Silver
Set of 6 Gorham Newport Sterling Silver Mint Julep Cups
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Set of 6 sterling silver mint julep cups. Made by Gorham in Providence. Each: Straight and tapering sides, reeded rim and foot. Marked “Newport / Sterling 1673”. Newport was a Gorham...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Gorham Lancaster Sterling Silver Ice Tongs
By Gorham Manufacturing Company, Shreve & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Lancaster sterling silver ice tongs. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1900. U-form with beaded stem and floral terminal. One jaw ovoi...
Sterling Silver
Brass Gun Shell Cocktail Shaker & Server, circa 1920
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in London, GB
A magnificent brass, copper and silver plate cocktail set made circa 1920 by the renowned American silversmiths Gorham Manufacturing Company as...
Silver Plate, Brass, Copper
Sold
H 3.5 in Dm 1.625 in
Vintage Gorham Sterling Silver 339 Double Jigger Bar Cocktail Shot Measure 38g
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Dayton, OH
"Vintage Gorham number 339 sterling silver double sided jigger. Weight 37.6 g ""The Gorham Manufacturing Company is one of America’s largest manufacturers of silver-plate and ster...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 2.5 in Dm 2.25 in
Art Deco Gorham Sterling Silver 354 Stoplight Enamel Jigger Bar Measure Cup 54g
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Dayton, OH
"Vintage Gorham number 354 sterling silver “Stoplight Jigger,” featuring a ridged design measuring out 1, 2.5 and 3.5 ounces, decorated with old fashioned stoplights painted in the a...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pair of Gorham Sterling Silver Mint Juleps with Midcentury Birds
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Modern sterling silver mint julep cups. Made by Gorham in Providence. Each: Straight and tapering, and reeded rim and foot. Cutout pair of semi-abstract birds applied to side...
Sterling Silver
Gorham Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Ice Tongs
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern sterling silver ice tongs. Made by Gorham in Providence. U-form with talon jaw and round bowl with concentric piercing. Fully marked. Weight: 2.4 troy ounces.
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 6.5 in W 3.75 in D 1.38 in
Antique American Big-Game Era Sterling Silver and Leather Safari Flask
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Big-game era flask. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1891. Clear-glass body. Top encased in leather and bottom has detachable sterling silver cup. Neck sterling silver as is hinged and cork-lined bayonet cover for convenient one-handed opening while holding tight to the hunting rifle...
Sterling Silver
Rare Antique Gorham Hindostanee Sterling Silver Ice Tongs
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Rare Hindostanee sterling silver ice tongs. Made by Gorham in Providence. U-form with gilt jaws, of which one claw-form and the other flower head. Terminals in the desirable pattern ...
Sterling Silver
Victorian Period Sterling Silver Mug/Cup by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Period, sterling silver mug/cup, Gorham Mfg. Co, Providence, Rhode Island, year hallmarked for 1890. Decorated with leaves and flowers. Handle fans out in design. Measures ...
Sterling Silver