Gorham Manufacturing Co. Sterling Silver Hollowware Piece with Star Mark
Hollowware · Gorham Manufacturing Co. is one of America's oldest and most prestigious silversmithing firms, founded in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1831 by Jabez Gorham. Renowned for exceptional quality, artistic innovation, and mass production leadership, Gorham became the official silversmith for the White House under several administrations.
Pattern: Gorham standard hollowware line featuring the hallmark crescent, anchor, and star trademark system. Specific pattern identity is not fully inscribed, but the hallmarks indicate the quintessential late 19th-century American manufacturing era.
Type
Hollowware
Maker
Gorham Manufacturing Co. is one of America's oldest and most prestigious silversmithing firms, founded in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1831 by Jabez Gorham. Renowned for exceptional quality, artistic innovation, and mass production leadership, Gorham became the official silversmith for the White House under several administrations.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity), as indicated by the standard American silver standard adopted by Gorham in the mid-19th century following British sterling fineness traditions.
Dimensions
Standard dimensions for a small to medium Gorham hollowware vessel or serving piece, estimated at standard weight class corresponding to the '1 1/2' size designator stamped in the metal.
Description
An authentic piece of American silver history, this hollowware item exhibits the crisp stamping, durable gauge, and fine finish that cemented Gorham's reputation as a titan of Victorian silver. The clear punch marks on the base provide valuable diagnostic data for collectors, showcasing the famous Gorham star and numerical sizing codes.
Key Features
Clear Gorham curved maker's mark, distinctive star symbol punch, 1851 establishment year stamp, and clear numerical capacity or size indicator '1 1/2'.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity), as indicated by the standard American silver standard adopted by Gorham in the mid-19th century following British sterling fineness traditions.
Finish & Decoration
High mirror polish typical of fine American Victorian hollowware, displaying potential hand-chased or plain formal contours depending on the specific vessel form.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Gorham maker's mark featuring the iconic lion-anchor-g trademark system (specifically the curved 'GORHAM CO.' stamp), accompanied by the 1851 date indicator (referencing the company's incorporation or pattern introduction year rather than manufacture date), a distinct star symbol, and production numbers such as '1 1/2'.
Construction Details
Combination of machine stamping and traditional hand-raising, featuring clean soldered seams and precision die-struck hallmarks characteristic of Gorham's advanced factory production methods in Rhode Island.
Functional Features
Designed for domestic dining or display utility, featuring robust structural integrity and balanced proportions optimized for functional service or table presentation.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid or hollow sterling silver construction matching the main body, seamlessly integrated via professional soldering or internal reinforcement.
Craftsmanship Details
Exemplifies high-grade American industrial craftsmanship, balancing mechanized precision die-stamping with meticulous hand-finishing and flawless hallmark striking.
Authentication Indicators
Genuine Gorham hallmarks exhibiting correct depth, proportional spacing, and authentic typography. The star punch and curved 'GORHAM CO.' text match known archival examples from the late 19th-century factory output.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in Providence, Rhode Island, USA, by the master artisans and technicians at the Gorham Manufacturing Co. factories utilizing state-of-the-art 19th-century metalworking technology.
Era & Period
Late Victorian / Gilded Age (circa 1850-1900), reflecting the height of American industrial silversmithing and Victorian domestic luxury.
Age Estimate
Circa 1865-1890, determined by the specific curvature and typography of the Gorham maker's mark stamp combined with the numeric production and pattern codes.
Cultural Significance
Represents the Gilded Age boom in American manufacturing, where affluent households invested heavily in matched sterling silver hollowware services to display social standing.
Condition Notes
Surface shows standard microscopic hairline scratches and minor tarnish consistent with age, proper preservation, and gentle polishing over decades. Overall condition is Very Good to Excellent with crisp, legible hallmarks.
Value Estimate
Estimated market value ranges between $150 to $450 USD depending on the exact form, total weight in troy ounces, and current collector demand for Victorian Gorham hollowware.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with specialized silver polish like Wright's Silver Cream or a microfiber cloth. Store in anti-tarnish bags or Pacific Silvercloth wraps in a low-humidity environment.
Similar Pieces
Gorham creamers, sugar bowls, and small sauce boats from the same era bearing similar anchor-and-star hallmarks.
Interesting Facts
Gorham was instrumental in establishing the .925 sterling silver standard in the United States, successfully lobbying Tiffany & Co. and other makers to adopt the British standard nationwide.