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.
Gorham Sterling Silver Thirty-Six Piece Part Flatware Service
By Gorham
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gorham Sterling Silver Thirty-Six Piece Part Flatware Service Marked, in the Etruscan Pattern, most monogramed with a Y. Comprising, seven dinner forks, eight salad forks, twelve bu...
Silver
$16,000
H 8.27 in W 0.79 in D 0.4 in
Antique French sterling silver cutlery set by Alphonse Debaine, Art Deco 20th Ce
By Alphonse Debain
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Antique French sterling silver cutlery set by Alphonse Debaine, Art Deco 20th Ce This Beautiful set include: 148 pieces in total. Description: 24 dinner forks - 21.5 centimeters 1...
Sterling Silver
Art Deco Sterling Silver Cutlery Set by Elkington & Co
By Elkington & Co.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver Art Deco flatware service for twelve persons; an addition to our antique flatware sets...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$4,645
H 9.85 in W 17.72 in D 13.39 in
BOREAL Art Deco 118 Pc Silvered Flatware Set Luc Lanel Christofle in case
By Luc Lanel
Located in Antwerp, BE
Art Deco silver plated cutlery set BOREAL 118 pc. Designed by Luc Lanel for Christofle. France. Model designed in 1929. Production: Mid Century. The set is contained in a 4 drawer ...
Metal, Silver Plate
$575 / set
H 7 in W 2 in D 2 in
Edwardian "Regent" 16 piece Fork/Knife Silver Plate Silverware Set by Gorham
Located in Van Nuys, CA
The Regent pattern is known for its elegant and classic design, often featuring intricate detailing that reflects the refinement and sophistication characteristic of Gorham’s craftsm...
Silver Plate
$30,839 / set
Edwardian Sterling Silver Flatware Set by Elkington
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Edwardian English sterling silver straight Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern flatware service for twelve persons; an addition to our flatware collection. The pieces of this exceptional, antique Edwardian straight* sterling silver canteen of cutlery have been crafted in the Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern. The surface of each handle is embellished with a paralleling thread decorated border accented with a shell design to the terminal. The reverse of each silver spoon bowl and fork drop is ornamented with a diamond heel. This Fiddle pattern cutlery set consists of 70 pieces: Basic Service: 12 Table forks 12 Table spoons** 12 Dessert forks 12 Dessert spoons 12 Teaspoons 6 Egg spoons Additional Pieces: Gravy Spoon Sauce ladle Cheese Scoop The pieces of this Edwardian silver flatware set have been crafted by the renowned Birmingham silversmiths Elkington & Co Ltd in 1906. This antique silver service can be purchased with knives if so desired; for further information please contact directly. This antique silver cutlery service is supplied in felt cutlery rolls; which not only protect the items in storage but significantly reduces tarnishing. * 'Straight' means all the pieces are made by the same maker in the same year; straight services are becoming increasingly difficult to locate. ** During this period, before the innovation of soup spoons, the versatile table spoon shaped bowl would have been utilised for soup. Condition This Edwardian silver canteen...
Sterling Silver
Vintage George VI Art Deco Sterling Silver Flatware Set for Twelve Persons
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive vintage sterling silver Plain Pine pattern flatware service for twelve persons, in the Art Deco style; an addition to our canteen of cutlery collection. The pieces of this exceptional vintage George VI silver cutlery set for 12 persons have been crafted in the Plain Pine pattern. The plain tapering handle of each piece is embellished with Art Deco style geometric panelled decoration with a stepped-down top. The posterior surface of each handle is ornamented with a triangular panel to the terminal. The original sterling silver forks have three tines/prongs; this is a fine feature of the service. This vintage Art Deco flatware set consists of 43 pieces: Basic Service: 12 Table forks 12 Dessert forks 6 Table/Serving spoons 12 Dessert spoons Additional Service: Soup ladle The components of this service have been crafted by the Sheffield silversmith and flatware maker Ollivant & Botsford Ltd between 1937-1941; the pieces will have been crafted in less years but due to the hallmarking system the items are struck with the date letters u and y. This vintage silver service can be purchased with appropriate pattern knives if so desired; for further information please contact Andrew Campbell directly. These impressive examples of Art Deco silverware are supplied in felt cutlery rolls; which not only protect the items in storage but significantly reduces tarnishing. Condition This vintage silver canteen set...
Sterling Silver
$18,816
H 0.79 in W 8.27 in D 1.78 in
20th Century Italian Solid Silver Cutlery Set 77 Pieces "Art Decò"
By Ricci Argentieri
Located in VALENZA, IT
New complete cutlery set 77 pieces in solid silver "Art Decòl" DIVA by Ricci Argenteria Alessandria - Italy. The service is composed as follows: N ° 12 Table forks N ° 12 Table spoo...
Silver
$23,403 / set
H 0.04 in Dm 0.04 in
Jean E Puiforcat Cutlery Flatware Set Art Deco Normandie Royan Sterling Silver
By Puiforcat, Jean Puiforcat
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Cutlery Flatware set Art Deco "Rohan" (it is Normandie Pattern but in sterling silver) made in 950/1000th solid sterling silver by Jean E. Puiforcat. All sterling silver pieces are ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Flatware Set for Twelve by Walker & Hall
By Walker & Hall
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V Art Deco style English sterling silver flatware service for twelve persons; an addition to our antique flatware sets. The pieces of this exceptional antique George V Art Deco style straight* sterling silver cutlery set for twelve persons have been crafted in the St. James pattern. The surface of each handle is embellished with a simplified border paralleling the trefoil shaped terminal. This impressive sterling silver flatware service does not include knives, however, supplementary table knives may be supplied with this set on request. This Walker and Hall silver cutlery set consists of 52 pieces: Basic service: 12 table forks 12 soup spoons 12 dessert forks 12 dessert spoons Additional pieces: 4 serving spoons. This Walker and Hall cutlery...
Sterling Silver
Ionic by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 6 Service 33 pieces Early Rare
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Exceedingly rare Ionic by Gorham, circa 1867, sterling silver flatware set, 27 pieces plus 6 Mother of pearl handle knives, a total of 33 pieces. This set includes: 6 Mother of pear...
Sterling Silver
Sovereign Old by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 6 Service 45 Pieces
By Gorham
Located in Big Bend, WI
Stunning Sovereign Old by Gorham c1941 Sterling Silver Flatware set - 45 pieces. This set includes: 6 Knives, 8 7/8" 6 Forks, 7 1/4" 6 Salad Forks, 6 1/2" 6 Teaspoons, 6" 6 Cr...
Sterling Silver
English Gadroon by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service 40 Pcs Dinner
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Gorgeous Dinner Size English Gadroon by Gorham sterling silver Flatware set, 40 pieces. This set includes: 8 Dinner Size Knives, 9 1/2" 8 Dinner Size Forks, 7 5/8" 8 Salad Forks...
Sterling Silver
Buckingham by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 61 Pcs Dinner
By Gorham
Located in Big Bend, WI
Dinner Size Buckingham by Gorham circa 1909 sterling silver Flatware set - 61 pieces. This set includes: 8 dinner size knives, 9 1/2" 8 dinner size forks, 7 1/2" 8 luncheon/dessert f...
Sterling Silver
English Gadroon by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service 62 pcs Dinner
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Stunning Dinner Size English Gadroon by Gorham sterling silver Flatware set, 62 pieces. This set includes: 8 Dinner Size Knives, 9 1/2" 8 Dinner Size Forks, 7 5/8" 8 Salad Forks, 6 ...
Sterling Silver
Edgemont by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 60 pieces
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Issued in 1987, Edgemont by Gorham has symmetrical flutes that adorn the end of the flatware, flaring in an unmistakable pattern. Edgemont by Gorham sterling silver Flatware set, 60...
Sterling Silver
