Gourmet House Mid-Century Chrome or Silver-Plated Hollowware Base
Hollowware (likely a Bowl, Ice Bucket, or Wine Chiller) · Gourmet House (GH), a Canadian manufacturer specializing in mid-market giftware and tabletop accessories throughout the mid-to-late 20th century.
Pattern: Modernist Plain; typically part of their functional entertaining line without a specific named pattern.
Type
Hollowware (likely a Bowl, Ice Bucket, or Wine Chiller)
Maker
Gourmet House (GH), a Canadian manufacturer specializing in mid-market giftware and tabletop accessories throughout the mid-to-late 20th century.
Material
Likely Silver Plate over a base metal (such as brass or copper) or high-polished Chrome-plated steel/brass. Note the absence of a 'Sterling' or '.925' mark, which indicates it is not solid silver.
Dimensions
Estimated diameter of base: 10-15 cm. Weight is likely substantial if plated brass, or lighter if chrome-plated steel.
Description
This is the underside of a sleek, modernist piece of Canadian-made hollowware. Produced by Gourmet House, the item reflects the era's transition from traditional ornate silver toward accessible, machine-perfected minimalist barware and serving pieces.
Key Features
Circular 'gh' maker's mark within a ring; 'MADE IN CANADA' attribution; concentric machining tracks on the base; lack of precious metal fineness marks.
Material & Composition
Likely Silver Plate over a base metal (such as brass or copper) or high-polished Chrome-plated steel/brass. Note the absence of a 'Sterling' or '.925' mark, which indicates it is not solid silver.
Finish & Decoration
High-polish mirror finish with distinctive concentric machine-turned polishing marks on the underside. Stylistically Mid-Century Modern with a focus on minimalist form over ornament.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Circular stamped mark featuring stylized lowercase 'gh' initials in the center, surrounded by the text 'MADE IN CANADA' in a sans-serif font.
Construction Details
Industrial machine-manufactured; likely spun metal or die-stamped, evidenced by the perfectly uniform circular shape and mechanical polishing lines.
Functional Features
Flat circular base designed for stability; likely the bottom of a cylindrical or flared vessel.
Handle & Grip Details
Not visible in this view, though similar GH pieces often featured walnut wood handles or chrome bail handles.
Craftsmanship Details
Machine-quality precision. The piece shows excellent uniformity in the strike of the mark and the finish, though it lacks the hand-wrought characteristics of artisanal silver.
Authentication Indicators
The mark is clearly struck and consistent with known Gourmet House output from the 1970s. The absence of hallmarks for sterling silver confirms this is a commercial-grade plated or chrome item.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in Canada; Gourmet House was a prominent producer in the Canadian giftware market during the post-war era.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern (c. 1960-1980), characterized by industrial production techniques and clean, functional Canadian design.
Age Estimate
Circa 1965–1975, based on the typography of the stamp and the machine-finishing style.
Cultural Significance
Represents the growth of Canadian domestic manufacturing in the mid-20th century and the shift toward practical, easy-care tabletop items for the modern home.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The surface shows light 'spider-web' scratching consistent with gentle use and cleaning. No signs of 'bleeding' (base metal showing through plate).
Value Estimate
$15 - $45 USD. Value is driven by utility and mid-century aesthetic rather than metal content.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with warm soapy water and dry immediately. For silver plate, use a non-abrasive foam like Wright's. If chrome, Windex and a microfiber cloth will restore the shine without damaging the surface.
Similar Pieces
Benedict Proctor (B.P. Canada) silver-plated items, or Revere bowls by mid-century makers. Key difference is the specific 'gh' branding and focus on industrial chrome-like finishes.
Interesting Facts
Gourmet House was a staple of Canadian department stores like Eaton's and Hudson's Bay, providing 'affordable luxury' for the growing middle-class entertaining market of the 1960s.