Gorham Brilliant-Cut Glass and Sterling Silver Moon Flask Decanter
About the Item
- Creator:Gorham Manufacturing Company (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 9 in (22.86 cm)Width: 5.25 in (13.34 cm)Depth: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)
- Style:Victorian (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1894
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
Gorham Manufacturing Company
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Antique Unger Sterling Silver & Brilliant-Cut Glass FlaskBy Unger BrothersLocated in New York, NYTurn-of-the-century sterling silver and brilliant-cut glass flask Made by Unger Bros in Newark. Rectilinear with curved sides and diaper inset with alternating paterae and diaper. Threaded sterling...Category
Early 20th Century North American Edwardian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique Gorham Edwardian Sterling Silver & Crystal DecanterBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYEdwardian crystal decanter with sterling silver stopper. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1897. Bell-form bowl with baluster neck, U-form spout, and c...Category
Antique 1890s North American Edwardian Sterling Silver
MaterialsCrystal, Sterling Silver
- Large Antique Gorham American Edwardian Flask in Sterling Silver CageBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYLarge Edwardian flask. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1900. Rectilinear with flat front and back and curved sides in clear glass. Textural easy-grip sterling silver cage with dense ...Category
Antique Early 1900s American Edwardian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique Gorham Art Nouveau Sterling Silver & Crystal Whiskey DecanterBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYTurn-of-the-century Art Nouveau sterling silver and crystal decanter. Made by Gorham in Providence. Ovoid crystal bowl with cut and engraved ornament: Beaded horse...Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
MaterialsCrystal, Sterling Silver
- Pair of Antique Gorham Victorian Cut-Glass & Sterling Silver DecantersBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYPair of Victorian cut-glass and sterling silver decanters. Made by Gorham in providence in 1891. Each: moon body with large stylized flower head on both sides and diaper and stars on front and back. C-scroll handle...Category
Antique 1890s American Victorian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique English Victorian Glass and Sterling Silver DecanterBy William and George SissonsLocated in New York, NYVictorian glass decanter with sterling silver mounts. Made by William & George Sissons in Sheffield in 1876. Cylindrical with spread base; etched fruiting grapevines. Sterling silver...Category
Antique 1870s English Victorian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Victorian Sterling Silver-Mounted Decanter and 4 Matching Glasses, GorhamBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYVictorian Period, sterling silver-mounted decanter with hinged lid and having four matching glasses, Gorham Manufacturing Company, Providence, Rhode Island, year-hallmarked for 1894....Category
Antique 1890s American Victorian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Wonderful Gorham Sterling Silver Rattan Dolphin Coffee Tea Pot Decanter PitcherBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Roslyn, NYA wonderful North American sterling silver black coffee pot, Gorham Mfg. Co., Providence, Ri, Baluster form with long slender spout, the lower body embossed, the handle wrapped with ...Category
Antique 19th Century American Regency Barware
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Victorian Period, Sterling Silver Mustache Cup by GorhamBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYVictorian Period, sterling silver mustache cup, Gorham manufacturing Corp., Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1895. Measures 3 inches high x 3 inches diamet...Category
Antique 1890s American Victorian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Stunning Sterling Silver FlaskLocated in Coeur d'Alene, IDExceptional sterling silver flask with beautiful engraved vine and leaf design. Perfect antique gift to use or display. Period: Last quarter of 19th cen...Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Barware
MaterialsSilver
- Antique English Cut Crystal and Sterling Silver Single Locking Decanter, 1898By Betjemanns & SonsLocated in Bath, GBA scarce find, this Victorian Betjemann's Patent single locking decanter or tantalus is made from cut crystal and trimmed in solid sterling silver fittings. The whisky decanter is...Category
Antique 1890s English Late Victorian Barware
MaterialsCrystal, Sterling Silver
- Antique Gorham Sterling Olive Bowl and TongsBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Litchfield, CTCirca 1884, sterling, Gorham. This unequivocally charming serving piece embodies the relaxed refinement of the Victorian era. Complete with tongs, this rare example of a figural Gorham olive dish...Category
Antique 1880s American Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver