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Gorham Silverware

Gorham Silverware is regarded as some of the finest in the world, used in the White House by many administrations dating back to Abraham Lincoln. The master craftsman, Jabez Gorham, founded the company in Providence, Rhode Island in 1831. But it was not until he retired in 1847, handing off the reins to his son, John Gorham, that Gorham Silverware began its evolution into the powerhouse manufacturer that it is known today.

John Gorham, a man of considerable foresight, enlarged the premises of his factory and overhauled production, introducing improved designs, an expanded product line, and mechanized fabrication strategies. He also employed William J. Codman, a veteran British designer who trained his American staff in the silversmith methods of the Old World.

Codman was instrumental in developing the Martelé line, which used a grade of silver that was even softer than sterling (.950 compared to the .925 of sterling). This allowed artisans to hammer out elaborate Art Nouveau designs that were previously impossible. Gorham flatware including the King Edward and Chantilly lines remain among the most popular flatware patterns in the world.


Quick Facts

  • In 1875, Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant commissioned Gorham Silver to produce the Century Vase commemorating the United States' one hundredth anniversary. The spectacular vase used more than 2,000 ounces of sterling silver
  • The Martelé line beat Tiffany in the silver furniture category of the 1900 World Fair
  • A Gorham silver presentation pitcher sold at Cowan auctions in 2014 for $9,000

Recommended Items at Auction

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A SET OF 12 STERLING SILVER FORKS
Jul 14, 6:00 PM PDT
A SET OF 12 STERLING SILVER FORKS
by O'Gallerie
Est: $325- $425
$2757 Bids
THIRTEEN-PIECE STERLING SILVER FLATWARE SET
Jul 14, 6:00 PM PDT
THIRTEEN-PIECE STERLING SILVER FLATWARE SET
by O'Gallerie
Est: $500- $700
$4006 Bids
A SET OF 22 STERLING SILVER TEASPOONS
Jul 14, 6:00 PM PDT
A SET OF 22 STERLING SILVER TEASPOONS
by O'Gallerie
Est: $325- $425
$2255 Bids
STERLING SILVER FLATWARE SET
Jul 14, 6:00 PM PDT
STERLING SILVER FLATWARE SET
by O'Gallerie
Est: $1,200- $1,800
$9505 Bids
4 American Sterling Silver Spoons 5.2 ozt
Jul 16, 10:00 AM CDT
4 American Sterling Silver Spoons 5.2 ozt
by Revere Auctions
Est: $200- $400
$1753 Bids
Gorham Sterling Silver Unusual Cheese Scoop
Jul 10, 11:00 AM EDT
Gorham Sterling Silver Unusual Cheese Scoop
by World Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $100
$101 Bid
Gorham Sterling Silver Chantilly Teaspoons 6 t oz 7 PCS
Jul 17, 11:00 AM EDT
Gorham Sterling Silver Chantilly Teaspoons 6 t oz 7 PCS
by DuMouchelles
Est: $75- $100
$301 Bid
NINE STERLING SILVER SERVING SPOONS IN FOUR PATTERNS
Jul 14, 6:00 PM PDT
NINE STERLING SILVER SERVING SPOONS IN FOUR PATTERNS
by O'Gallerie
Est: $400- $600
$2001 Bid
EIGHT STERLING SILVER TEASPOONS IN THREE PATTERNS
Jul 15, 6:00 PM PDT
EIGHT STERLING SILVER TEASPOONS IN THREE PATTERNS
by O'Gallerie
Est: $180- $250
$901 Bid
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ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER SOUVENIR SPOONS - LOT OF 9
Jul 26, 1:00 PM EDT
ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER SOUVENIR SPOONS - LOT OF 9
by Florida Estate Sales Inc.
Est: $170- $10,000
$301 Bid
92 pc Gorham Sterling Strasbourg Flatware - 98 ozt
Jul 16, 10:00 AM CDT
92 pc Gorham Sterling Strasbourg Flatware - 98 ozt
by Revere Auctions
Est: $2,000- $4,000
$1,5001 Bid
7 pcs Sterling Silver Utensils - 14 ozt
Jul 16, 10:00 AM CDT
7 pcs Sterling Silver Utensils - 14 ozt
by Revere Auctions
Est: $200- $400
$1001 Bid
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Antique Franklin Whiting Wild Flowers Seafood Olive Lemon Trident Silver Fork
Jul 21, 9:30 AM EDT
Antique Franklin Whiting Wild Flowers Seafood Olive Lemon Trident Silver Fork
by Carroll's Auctioneers & Appraisers
Est: $100- $200
$290 Bids
(18pc) MISC. STERLING SILVER FLATWARE
Jul 27, 10:00 AM EDT
(18pc) MISC. STERLING SILVER FLATWARE
by Butterscotch Auction Gallery LLC
Est: $500- $700
$4500 Bids
6 Coin and Sterling Silver Tablespoons
Jul 11, 9:30 AM EDT
6 Coin and Sterling Silver Tablespoons
by Merrill's Auctioneers & Appraisers
Est: $200- $300
$1000 Bids
1897 Antique Signed Sterling Silver Spoon
Jul 23, 10:00 AM EDT
1897 Antique Signed Sterling Silver Spoon
by The Benefit Shop Foundation Inc.
Est: $30- $80
$100 Bids
Gorham Sterling Silver English Gadroon Flatware Set for 9 68 PCS
Jul 17, 11:00 AM EDT
Gorham Sterling Silver English Gadroon Flatware Set for 9 68 PCS
by DuMouchelles
Est: $1,000- $2,000
$7500 Bids
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Group of Gorham Sterling Silver Buttercup Pattern Flatware and More
Jul 13, 10:00 AM CDT
Group of Gorham Sterling Silver Buttercup Pattern Flatware and More
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $1,000- $1,500
$5000 Bids
Vintage GORHAM Sterling Silver Spoon
Jul 23, 10:00 AM EDT
Vintage GORHAM Sterling Silver Spoon
by The Benefit Shop Foundation Inc.
Est: $30- $80
$100 Bids
Pair of Gorham Sterling Silver Vermeil "Palm Beach Florida" Salad Spoons
Aug 02, 9:30 AM EDT
Pair of Gorham Sterling Silver Vermeil "Palm Beach Florida" Salad Spoons
by Rafael Osona Auctions
Est: $200- $300
$1500 Bids
GORHAM STERLING SILVER FLATWARE SERVICE
Jul 27, 10:00 AM EDT
GORHAM STERLING SILVER FLATWARE SERVICE
by Butterscotch Auction Gallery LLC
Est: $2,000- $2,500
$1,8000 Bids
(8pc) GORHAM SILVER SERVING SPOONS
Jul 27, 10:00 AM EDT
(8pc) GORHAM SILVER SERVING SPOONS
by Butterscotch Auction Gallery LLC
Est: $500- $800
$4000 Bids
GORHAM STERLING XMAS 1973 ORNAMENT
Jul 17, 10:00 AM EDT
GORHAM STERLING XMAS 1973 ORNAMENT
by Vintage Auctions
Est: $50- $80
$100 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Gorham Silverware


Florida Estate Sales Inc.

Florida Estate Sales Inc.

Sloans & Kenyon

Sloans & Kenyon

O'Gallerie

O'Gallerie

New Orleans Auction Galleries

New Orleans Auction Galleries