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.
$650 / set
H 12.25 in W 12.75 in D 4.25 in
Vintage Gorham YC3021 Silver Plated 3 Arm Convertible Candelabra - a Pair
By Gorham
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Gorham YC3021 Silver Plated 3 Arm Convertible Candelabra - a Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 12.25" H x 12.75" W x 4.25 " D. Converted Single Candlestick: 9" H
Silver Plate
$3,500 / set
H 11 in W 11.5 in D 3.75 in
NEWPORT - Pair of Sterling Silver Candelabra - Weighted - U.S.A. - 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
NEWPORT - Vintage pair of sterling silver candelabra - pattern number 16218 - weighted - classic traditional design - signed on the base - United States - mid 20th century. Good vin...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Two-Light Candelabra in Sterling Silver by Richard Comyns
By Richard Comyns
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine pair of vintage Elizabeth II English sterling silver two-light candelabra in the George I style; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. These fine vintage Elizabeth II sterling silver candelabra have a plain circular form, in the George I style. Each impressive two-light candelabrum retains the original hallmarked detachable push fit scrolling arms, which support two rounded waisted capitals with plain circular dished drip pans. These versatile vintage candelabra can be used as candlesticks once the arms (labra) are detached. The knopped stems are surmounted on sunken wells, to tooled decorated circular spreading bases. The filled bases retain the original leatherette covering to the underside. The base of each was made by Richard Comyns of William Comyns & Sons Ltd and the labra were crafted by William Bruford & Son; these items will have been crafted in the same year but due to the hallmarking system the bases are struck with the date letter 'd' and the labra bear 'e'. Two different maker's crafting alternative components of candelabra is not an uncommon practice due to the manufacturing process. Condition These vintage sterling silver candlesticks...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$6,830 / set
H 7.88 in W 9.65 in D 8.27 in
1960 Sterling Silver Two-Light Candelabra Pair by John Charles Lowe
By John Charles Lowe
Located in London, London
A refined and beautifully crafted pair of sterling silver two-light candelabra, hallmarked in London in 1960 by the accomplished silversmith John Charles Lowe. Designed in the Georgi...
Sterling Silver
S Kirk & Sons 3-Light Candelabra Pair (Set of 2) 925 Sterling Silver
Located in Tucson, AZ
This impressive pair of S. Kirk & Son sterling silver candelabra showcases the renowned Kirk repousse design, featuring elegant floral and scrollwork motifs expertly hand-chased by m...
Sterling Silver
Vintage George I Style Sterling Silver Two Light Candelabra (1968)
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of vintage English sterling silver two light candelabra in the George I style; an addition to our collection of vintage candle holders. Thes...
Sterling Silver
$9,988 / set
H 10.24 in W 11.42 in D 9.45 in
Pair of cast sterling silver 3 light candelabra made in 1977
By James Wakely & Frank Clarke Wheeler
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1977 by Wakely & Wheeler, this handsome pair of Elizabeth II period, Sterling Silver Candelabra, are round in shape, plain in style, and will hold 3 candl...
Sterling Silver
$1,100 / set
H 11.25 in W 11.5 in D 3.75 in
Pair of Antique American Sterling Silver Candelabra Converted to Candlesticks.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair of Antique American "Rogers" Hallmarked Sterling Silver Convertible Candelabra, Circa 1920's. Converts from 3 Cup Candelabra to Single Cup Candlesticks
Sterling Silver
Gorham Antique Regency Silver Two-Arm Candelabra, Pair
By Gorham
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of antique silver plate two-light candelabra By Gorham for Black, Starr and Frost England, Circa Late 19th Century Each measures: 16.5"W x 4.75"D x 18.5"H. Good o...
Silver Plate
Vintage Sterling Silver Three Light Candelabra (1985)
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of vintage Elizabeth II English sterling silver three light candelabra; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. These exception...
Sterling Silver
Pair of English Modern Classical Sterling Silver 3-Light Candelabra, 1926-1928
By Crichton Brothers
Located in New York, NY
Pair of George V sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Crichton Brothers in London in 1926-28. Each: Tapering columnar shaft on stepped foot; urn socket has domed cover with vasiform...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Midcentury Classical Sterling Silver 3-Light Candelabra
By Mueck-Cary
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Midcentury Classical sterling silver 3-light candelabra. Bellied socket on baluster shaft with split-mounted scrolled arms, each terminating in single same socket; stepped an...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Traditional Georgian Sterling Silver 3-Light Candelabra
By Frank M. Whiting & Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of traditional Georgian sterling silver 3-light candelabra. Made by Frank M. Whiting Co. in North Attleboro, Mass., ca 1930. Each: Raised socket on baluster to which are mounted...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Reed & Barton Francis I Sterling Silver 3-Light Candelabra
By Reed & Barton
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Francis I sterling silver 3-light candelabra. Made by Reed & Barton in Taunton. Each: Central socket on spool base to which are mounted two reeded wraparound branches, each t...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Traditional American Colonial 3-Light Candelabra by Ensko
By Ensko
Located in New York, NY
Pair of traditional American Colonial sterling silver 3-light candelabra. Each: Knopped baluster shaft on stepped and raised foot. Two scrolled arms each terminating in single socket...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Reed & Barton Francis I Low 3-Light Candelabra, 1950
By Reed & Barton
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Francis I sterling silver low 3-light candelabra. Made by Reed & Barton in Taunton, Mass. in 1950. Each: Central socket on bell-form base to which are mounted 2 split-mounted...
Sterling Silver
