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.
Imperial Chrysanthemum Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 168 Pcs
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Gorgeous Dinner and Luncheon Size Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham sterling silver Flatware set, 168 pieces. This set includes: 8 Dinner Size Knives with blunt silverplated blades, ...
Sterling Silver
Buttercup by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 322 pcs Dinner Lg Chest
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Intricately carved floral motifs carefully arranged along the handle and by the neck of this fanciful pattern are balanced by a slender central panel edged with delicate borders. Introduced in 1899, the graceful clusters of buttercups adorning each piece are reminiscent of hand-sewn Venetian lace and bring to mind the romance of nuptials. This sentimental pattern is equally at home in casual and formal settings, and will enhance everyday dining as well as add a festive touch to special occasions. Monumental Dinner and Luncheon size Buttercup by Gorham sterling silver flatware set - 322 pieces in large vintage chest. This set includes: 24 Dinner Knives, w/Blunt blades, 9 3/4" 24 Dinner Forks, 7 1/2" 24 Regular Knives, w/French blades, 8 3/4" 24 Regular Forks, 7" 24 Salad Forks, 6 1/4" 24 Teaspoons, 5 7/8" 24 Place Soup Spoons, 6 3/4" 24 Hollow Handle Butter Spreaders, 6 1/8" 24 Cocktail Forks, 5 1/2" 24 Iced Tea Spoons, 7 1/2" 24 Demitasse Spoons, 4 1/8" 24 Gumbo Soup Spoons, 6 1/2" 8 Serving Spoons, 8 1/2" 1 Pierced Serving Spoon, 8 3/8" 2 Flat Handle Master Butter Knives, 7 1/2" 2 Salad Sets, all-sterling, 2-pc, 8 3/4" 2 Pie Servers w/stainless blades, 10 5/8" 1 Sauce Ladle, 6" 1 Nut Spoon, 4 5/8" 1 Jelly Knife, 8" 1 Punch Ladle, gold-washed, 15" 1 Oyster Ladle, gold-washed, 11" 1 Platter Spoon, 12" 1 Cheese Server w/stainless blade, 6 5/8" 1 Mayonnaise Ladle, 5 1/8" 1 Beef Fork, pierced, 6 3/4" 1 Beef Fork, pierced, 7" 1 Olive Spoon, original, 5 1/2" 1 Cucumber Server, 5 1/2" 1 Sugar Tong, 4 5/8" 1 Tomato Server, 7 5/8" 1 Pie Server flat handle all-sterling, 9" 1 Jelly Server, 6 1/4" Includes a large traditional vintage storage chest with legs...
Sterling Silver
Chrysanthemum by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 98 pieces Dinner
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
One of Durgin's most popular and beautiful patterns is '"Chrysanthemum". The design is of leaves and chrysanthemum buds and blooms on the front. The back displays 2 chrysanthemums in...
Sterling Silver
Chrysanthemum by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 135 pieces Dinner
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
One of Durgin's most popular and beautiful patterns is '"Chrysanthemum". The design is of leaves and chrysanthemum buds and blooms on the front. The back displays 2 chrysanthemums in...
Sterling Silver
Chrysanthemum by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 154 Pieces
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
One of Durgin's most popular and beautiful patterns is '"Chrysanthemum". The design is of leaves and chrysanthemum buds and blooms on the front. The back displays 2 chrysanthemums in...
Sterling Silver
Buttercup by Gorham Sterling Silver Dinner Flatware Set For 18 Service 133 Pcs
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Intricately carved floral motifs carefully arranged along the handle and by the neck of this fanciful pattern are balanced by a slender central panel edged with delicate borders. Int...
Sterling Silver
Watson Wallace Meadow Rose 925 Sterling Silver Flatware Set 77 Pc Dinner Setting
By Wallace Silversmiths
Located in Greer, SC
Stunning Meadow Rose by Watson / Wallace sterling silver flatware set, 77 pieces total (no box). Great condition, with no monograms. This set includes: 12 Knives 4 Tablespoons 18 Te...
Sterling Silver
Antique Tiffany Renaissance Sterling Silver Dinner Set for 12
By Tiffany & Co., Paulding Farnham.
Located in New York, NY
Renaissance sterling silver dinner set. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. This set comprises 156 pieces (dimensions in inches): Forks: 12 dinner forks (8), 12 salad fo...
Sterling Silver
A rare Christofle Flatware Service in Louis XV “Chrysanthemum” Pattern
Located in Sleepy Hollow, NY
An Antique French partial flatware service by Christofle in the Louis XV ‘Chrysanthemum’ pattern from the late 19th or very early 20th century. The service has a total of 131 pieces...
Silver Plate
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
Victorian Sterling Silver Flatware Set by Mappin Brothers
By Mappin Brothers
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian sterling silver flatware service for twelve persons; an addition to our diverse silver cutlery collection. The pieces of this exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver flatware service for twelve persons have been crafted in an Empire Revival style pattern. The anterior surface of each handle is embellished with a ribbon tied floral tassel terminating with a crossed torch of love and a quiver of arrows. The posterior surface is ornamented with a tied laurel wreath bordered vacant cartouche below a foliate decorated pensile drop. The surfaces of each piece further incorporate a textured finish, with scrolling leaf decorated terminals, a quatrefoil foliate rosette to the stem and a waisted bead bordered knop to the upper portion. Each spoon and fork is further embellished to the reverse with an impressive leaf decorated heel to the bowl and drop. This impressive straight* service consists of 73 pieces: Basic Service 12 Table forks 12 Table spoons 12 Dessert forks 12 Dessert spoons 12 Teaspoons 6 Coffee spoons Additional Pieces Gravy spoon Serving knife 4 Salt spoon Mustard spoon Each item of this impressive and very rare Victorian silver canteen has been crafted by the renowned silversmiths Mappin Brothers in 1899. The anterior surface of each coffee, salt and mustard spoon retains the original gilding to the bowls. This flatware service can be purchased with knives if so desired, due to the rarity of the pattern matching knives are not available but an alternative pattern can be arranged; for further information please contact Andrew Campbell directly. This antique sterling silver cutlery set...
Sterling Silver
Lapparra - 204pcs. Antique Louis XV French 950 Sterling Silver Flatware Set
By Lapparra Orfèvre Argentier
Located in Wilmington, DE
Direct from St Tropez: Direct from a private villa in St. Tropez, a magnificent 204pc. Louis XVI French 950 sterling silver flatware set by Henri Lapparra, includes a magnificent 5-...
Vermeil, Sterling Silver
