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.
Sea Rose by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set For 8 Service 40 Pieces
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Beautiful Sea Rose By Gorham sterling silver Flatware set, 63 pieces. This pattern has a flowing modern design and was designed by Richard L. Huggins in the year 1958. This set inclu...
Sterling Silver
Sea Rose by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service 79 Pieces Modern
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Large Sea rose by Gorham sterling silver flatware set, 79 pieces. This pattern has a flowing modern design and was designed by Richard L. Huggins in the year ...
Sterling Silver
Sea Rose by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service 53 pieces Modern
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Sea Rose by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware set - 53 pieces. This pattern has a flowing modern design and was designed by Richard L. Huggins in the year 1958. This set includes: 12 ...
Sterling Silver
Sea Rose by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Service for 8 Set 40 Pcs Midcentury
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Modern, flowing-style sea rose by Gorham, circa 1958, sterling silver flatware set - 40 pieces. This set includes: 8 knives, 9 1/4" 8 forks, 7 1/2" 8 salad f...
Sterling Silver
Camellia by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set Eight Service Luncheon 37 Pieces
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Eight knives, 8 3/4". Eight forks, 7 3/8". Eight salad forks, 6 1/2". Eight teaspoons, 6". One serving spoon, 8 1/2". One pierced serving spoon, original, 8 1/2". One sugar spoon, 6 ...
Sterling Silver
Camellia by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set 6 Service Luncheon 24 Pieces
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Camellia by Gorham sterling silver flatware set of 24 pieces. Great starter set! This set includes: Six knives, 8 3/4". Six forks, 7 3/8". Six sala...
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
CJ Vander Sterling Silver Flatware Set in Hester Bateman Pattern
By C.J. Vander
Located in New York, NY
CJ Vander, English sterling silver flatware set, in the Hester Bateman pattern, beautifully adorned with floral and geometric motifs, consisting of: 8 dinner forks measuring 8 1/2''...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage German Sterling Silver Flatware Set for Twelve Persons Circa 1970
By Rosenthal
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive vintage German sterling silver Lotus pattern canteen of cutlery for twelve persons made by Rosenthal; an addition to our antique flatware sets. The pieces of this exceptional and extensive vintage German sterling silver cutlery service for twelve persons has been crafted in the Lotus pattern. The lower portion of each handle is embellished with an impressive organic design, all in the iconic Art Nouveau manner. This vintage canteen consists of 112 pieces: Basic Service: 12 Table knives 12 Table forks 12 Dessert knives 12 Dessert forks 12 Dessert spoons 12 Fish/hors d'oeuvre knives 12 Fish/hors d'oeuvre forks 12 Coffee spoons 12 Teaspoons Additional Pieces: Pair of serving spoons Large serving fork Small serving fork The pieces of this silver flatware set, including the original knives, have been crafted by the German silversmith Rosenthal; often this maker manufactured items in a lower grade of silver or silver plate, indicating the high quality of this sterling silver service. This vintage canteen of cutlery is supplied in felt cutlery rolls; which not only protect the items in storage but significantly reduce tarnishing. NOTE: This item contains knives and is only available for sale to persons aged 18 or over. Proof of age will be required upon purchase. Condition This vintage German sterling silver Lotus pattern cutlery set is a superior gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. Each piece has been professionally polished and is in presentation condition. The German hallmarks struck to the reverse of each piece are all very clear; the hallmarks are struck deeply due to the superior gauge of silver. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this fine and impressive Rosenthal flatware...
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
Sterling Silver Mid-Century Flatware Set
By Towle Silversmiths
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a sterling silver flatware set: service for 16, 5 pieces per setting, total of 80 pieces. Designed by Towle Silversmiths in the 1950’s, it is quintessential Mid-Cen...
Sterling Silver
