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Gorham Bird's Nest Question

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Author	Topic: Gorham Bird's Nest Question
David C Walters Posts: 64 Registered: Apr 2012	posted 06-24-2012 09:19 PM I was curious if anyone knew when Gorham's Bird's Nest became such a popular pattern? I have noticed that it wasn't always nearly as desired as it is today and wondered if anyone knew if the publication of a particular article set off the craze. I understand that silver trends all over the place just like any other antique, but Bird's Nest seems to be an especially extreme example. David [This message has been edited by David C Walters (edited 06-25-2012).] IP: Logged
Kayvee Posts: 204 Registered: Oct 2004	posted 06-25-2012 10:53 AM How does any silver pattern, style, or maker become popular? What I’ve noticed is that increased demand (and therefore price) can be due to new research published in Silver Magazine or elsewhere that brings a pattern or maker to the attention of a wider public, or a museum exhibit, like the traveling exhibit on William Spratling and other Mexican silversmiths, or sale of an important collection, such as the frenzied interest in French art deco silver generated after Andy Warhol’s collection was auctioned. These events can sometimes “move the market” to a level where it has not been before, not necessarily related to intrinsic beauty or quality of the silver. There are trends and fads in silver just like in other decorative arts or consumer products. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 06-25-2012 11:51 AM quote: I am interested in the history of American silver collecting and in that vein.... A good start would be: Silver in America, 1840-1940: A Century of Splendor by: Dr. Charles L. Venable quote: ....valued...price....suggested value....highest valued....and valued....worth.....highly valued.....prices....insanely high....worth half as much Please discuss art, history, craft, etc. of silver and not its value. Things go in and out of fashion and so prices change. A few years ago a Domestic Diva mentioned coin silver and how inexpensive it can be to fancy up a table. The Domestic Diva also said if the coin silver was monogrammed to invent a relative with the same initials. For the next year or so coin silver $ jumped up only to fall again. IP: Logged
Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 Registered: Apr 2000	posted 07-27-2012 08:56 PM I'm not sure if I would describe Bird's Nest as "popular." I would say that there are a limited number of competitive collectors of this rare pattern, driving prices up (expensive does not = popular). Because of its current rarity, I suspect it was not a bestseller when it was originally produced. It was probably expensive due it its weight and workmanship. For every 50 Kings pattern servers Gorham retailers sold, they probably only sold 1 Bird's Nest server. Also, perhaps consumers did not want the motif of a nest (which is constructed of scavenged twigs sometimes bonded with adhesives such as mud and bird spittle) on their dining table. IP: Logged

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