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.
Blithe Spirit by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 36 Pieces
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Blithe spirit by Gorham sterling silver flatware set, 36 pieces. This set includes: eight knives, 9 1/4", eight forks, 7 1/4", eight salad forks, 6 3/4", eight teaspoons, 6", o...
Sterling Silver
Blithe Spirit by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 58 Pieces
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Blithe spirit by Gorham sterling silver flatware set, 58 pieces. This set includes: 12 knives, 9 1/4", 12 forks, 7 1/4", 12 salad forks, 6 3/4", 12 teaspoons, 6", one gravy lad...
Sterling Silver
Blithe Spirit by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 60 Pieces
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Stunning Blithe Spirit by Gorham sterling silver flatware set, 60 pieces. This set includes: 12 knives, 9 1/4" 12 forks, 7 1/4" 12 salad forks, 6 3/4" 12 teaspoons, 6" 12 place soup...
Sterling Silver
Blithe Spirit by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 61 Pieces New
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Unused Blithe Spirit by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware set - 61 pieces. This set includes: 8 Knives, 9 1/8" 8 Forks, 7 1/4" 8 Salad Forks, 6 5/8" 8 Teaspoons, 5 7/8" 8 Place Soup ...
Sterling Silver
Celeste by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Service For 12 Set 48 Pieces
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Celeste by Gorham sterling silver flatware set - 48 pieces. This set includes: 12 knives, 9 1/4", 12 forks, 7 1/2", 12 salad forks, 7 1/8", 12 t...
Sterling Silver
Melrose by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set For 12 Service 48 Pieces
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Gorgeous Melrose by Gorham sterling silver flatware set of 48 pieces. This set includes: 12 knives, 8 7/8", 12 forks, 7 1/8", 12 salad forks, 6 5...
Sterling Silver
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
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
Victorian Sterling Silver Flatware Set for Ten by Charles Boyton II
By Charles Boyton II
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An execptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English straight sterling silver King's pattern flatware service for ten persons; an addition to our canteen of cutlery collection The pieces of this fine, antique Victorian straight* sterling silver cutlery service for ten persons have been crafted in King's pattern. The anterior surface of each piece incorporates the engraved initials 'HCD'. The reverse of each spoon and fork features a union shell and diamond heel in addition to convex shell ornamentation to the terminal. This Kings pattern cutlery service consists of 40 pieces: 10 Table forks 10 Dessert forks 10 Dessert spoons 10 Teaspoons The components of this antique service have been crafted by the collectable, renowned silversmith Charles Boyton II in 1868; the components will have been crafted in the same year but due to the hallmarking system the items are struck with the date letters m and n. This flatware service can be purchased with King's pattern knives if desired; for further information please contact Andrew Campbell directly. This impressive Kings pattern cutlery 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. Condition This antique cutlery...
Sterling Silver
Victorian Sterling Silver Flatware Set for Twelve Persons by George Adams (1842)
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver straight single struck Fiddle, Thread & Shell pattern flatware service for 12 persons made by George Adams; an addition to our canteen of cutlery collection. The pieces of this exceptional, antique Victorian straight* sterling silver flatware service for 12 persons 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 and reverse of each bowl. The anterior surface of each spoon and fork handle terminal are ornamented with a contemporary engraved crest of a leopard couchant guardant and collared. The posterior surface of each piece is plain and unembellished, apart from a rounded heel to the bowl of each spoon. This single struck Fiddle Thread and Shell pattern flatware set consists of 48 pieces: 12 Table forks 12 Table spoons 12 Dessert forks 12 Dessert spoons Each piece of this service has been crafted by the collectable, renowned silversmith and flatware maker George Adams of Chawner & Co in 1842. This antique silver service...
Silver, Sterling Silver
JEAN TETARD – C.Christofle 144-piece solid silver flatware set, aubusson pattern
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
TOTAL: 144 PIECES. 950/1000 Sterling Silver. Weight: 7140 g net + 1860 g gross. Minerva Hallmark – Art Deco Period, circa 1930 Produced by TETARD FRERES & CHARLES CHRISTOFLE COMPOS...
Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Flatware Set, Military Pattern by George Adams
By George Adams
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique English sterling silver straight Military Thread & Shell pattern flatware service made by George Adams; an addition to our flatware collection. The pieces of this exceptional, antique Victorian straight sterling silver canteen of cutlery has been crafted in the Military 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 spoon bowl is ornamented with a thread decorated rounded heel. This Military Thread and Shell pattern cutlery set consists of 109 pieces: Basic service 18 table forks 18 table spoons 24 dessert forks 23 dessert spoons 21 teaspoons Additional pieces Soup ladle Pair of serving spoons Runcible/serving spoon Caddy spoon The pieces of this service have been crafted by the collectable, renowned silversmith and flatware maker George Adams of Chawner & Co in 1863; eleven of the dessert spoons bear a subtly different size to the remaining twelve, this does not detract from the service. This antique flatware service is supplied in felt cutlery rolls; which not only protect the items in storage but significantly reduces tarnishing. Note: Due to the nature of this service it can be determined it was made for military use. Each piece would have been embellished with an engraved crest which has since been removed; there remains minor signs of the engraving to some pieces. "Straight" means all the pieces are made by the same maker in the same year. Condition This thread and shell pattern cutlery set is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. Each piece has been professionally polished and is in presentation condition. The pattern decoration has sympathetic wear in keeping with age and use. Each piece shows minor signs of an erased engraved crest. Full hallmarks struck to the reverse of each piece are all very clear; there is some wear to some marks, in keeping with age. Dimensions Table fork 21cm/8.3" Table spoon 22.2cm/8.7" Dessert fork 18cm/7.1" Dessert spoon 17.5cm/6.9" Teaspoon 14.9cm/5.9" Soup ladle 33.8cm/13.3" Serving spoon 29.2cm/11.5" Runcible spoon...
Sterling Silver
