Gorham Chantilly Pattern Sterling Silver Asparagus Tongs
Flatware (Specialty Serving Piece) · Gorham Manufacturing Company (Providence, RI), established in 1831. Gorham is world-renowned for high-quality craftsmanship and was the primary silver supplier to the White House during several presidencies.
Pattern: Chantilly, designed by William C. Codman and introduced in 1895. It remains the most popular sterling silver flatware pattern in the world. Still in production.
Type
Flatware (Specialty Serving Piece)
Maker
Gorham Manufacturing Company (Providence, RI), established in 1831. Gorham is world-renowned for high-quality craftsmanship and was the primary silver supplier to the White House during several presidencies.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). The piece is solid sterling throughout, featuring no mixed materials or weighted components.
Dimensions
Typically measures between 7.5 to 9 inches in length. Estimated weight is approximately 120-160 grams (3.8 - 5.1 troy oz) based on standard Gorham production specs for this form.
Description
An exquisite example of specialty Victorian-era dining apparatus, these Gorham Chantilly tongs embody the elegance of refined hospitality. The handles feature the iconic fleur-de-lis and scroll motifs of the world's most collected silver pattern, leading to gracefully curved, pierced serving blades that provide both beauty and utility for the traditional formal dinner service.
Key Features
Broad fluted grippers with elaborate scrollwork piercing; the iconic Chantilly 'scalloped' handle terminal; highly elastic bridge tension; and substantial silver weight typical of pre-war Gorham serving pieces.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). The piece is solid sterling throughout, featuring no mixed materials or weighted components.
Finish & Decoration
Finished in a bright-mirror polish with light oxidation in the recessed details to highlight the scrollwork. Decorative style is Louis XV-inspired Rococo Revival, featuring scrolling borders, floral sprays, and a scalloped terminal.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Expected marks include the Gorham 'Lion-Anchor-G' trio, the word 'STERLING', and potentially a date code (often a symbol/animal for pieces made 1868-1933) or a patent year.
Construction Details
Die-struck from heavy gauge sterling silver sheet. The spring tension is achieved through the tempering of the bridge metal. The grippers feature intricate machine-pierced openwork (filigree) that has been hand-finished.
Functional Features
Spring-action bridge for one-handed operation; broad, flat, pierced 'grippers' designed to lift delicate asparagus spears while allowing water or sauce to drain through the decorative scroll cut-outs.
Handle & Grip Details
Hollow-form integrated handles with a reinforced bridge. The handles follow the classic Chantilly tapering silhouette with a wide thumb-grip area for ergonomic control.
Craftsmanship Details
Evidenced by the perfectly symmetrical piercing work and the seamless transition from the handle to the server blade. The 'spring' in the silver bridge is a testament to Gorham's superior metal tempering techniques.
Authentication Indicators
Hallmarks on the interior of the handles are the primary indicator. The weight, symmetry of the piercings, and the specific 'crispness' of the Victorian-era die-striking are consistent with genuine Gorham production.
Origin & Manufacturing
Providence, Rhode Island, USA. Manufactured using high-pressure dies at the Elmwood factory, followed by skilled hand-polishing and detailing.
Era & Period
Late Victorian / Art Nouveau transition. While the pattern was introduced in 1895, this specific form was a staple of 'The Gilded Age' dining etiquette.
Age Estimate
Likely circa 1900-1940 based on the crispness of the die work and the popularity of specialty asparagus servers during the early 20th century.
Cultural Significance
Represents the height of Edwardian and Victorian formal dining culture, where every food item required a specific, dedicated serving utensil to avoid touching food with hands or using 'incorrect' tools.
Condition Notes
Good to Very Good. This piece exhibits significant tarnish (sulfide deposits) requiring professional polishing. Surface shows light use scratches. The bridge 'spring' appears intact without stress fractures. Overall Grade: Very Good (after cleaning).
Value Estimate
$350 to $550 USD depending on exact weight and condition. Exceptional older pieces with rare date marks can fetch the higher end of the range in the collector market.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a high-quality paste like Wright's Silver Cream. Avoid chemical 'dips' which can strip the intentional oxidation in the crevices. Rinse in warm soapy water and dry immediately with a soft cotton cloth. Store in a Pacific Silvercloth roll to prevent tarnish.
Similar Pieces
Tiffany & Co. 'Chrysanthemum' Asparagus Tongs (more ornate and heavier); Reed & Barton 'Francis I' Tongs (more deeply embossed repoussé); Wallace 'Grand Baroque' (similar Rococo style but more three-dimensional).
Interesting Facts
The Chantilly pattern was designed by an Englishman, William Codman, and became so popular that it has been used by more American families than any other silver design in history. Specialty pieces like asparagus tongs were a symbol of the 'Correct Table' in the early 1900s.