posted 08-29-2002 12:39 PM            

"Modern" and "Gorham" don't always go together in many people's minds, but the fact is that Gorham produced some really striking pieces of modernist silver. Here are a couple of pieces of cool Gorham silverplate from my collection.

This first piece I call my "Austin Powers" bowl, as I think it is pretty groovy, man. The sides of the bowl are a net of rings, some of which are filled with plastic disks of orange and blue. The bowl is 9 1/2 inches in diameter and stands on a low foot. The piece bears the stamped marks as shown. I am not exactly certain what the YC prefix stands for. I know Y generally designates copper on antique Gorham pieces. It probably just means silverplate on copper in this case, but I would welcome any additional information.

This piece is a severely elegant martini pitcher in the form of a cylinder with a wild plastic handle. It stands 11 inches high. Surprisingly, the unusual handle is fully functional, and the pitcher balances beautifully when filled. The piece has lightly etched marks of the same style as the bowl, with a pattern number of YC 845 and a capacity mark of 40 Oz. It also has an original foil sticker.

Does anyone else have similar pieces of Gorham silver to share? I am always amazed at what remains to be discovered!

Brent

posted 08-23-2003 07:57 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Brent:
This piece is a severely elegant martini pitcher in the form of a cylinder with a wild plastic handle.

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Have you tested that handle to determine if it is Bakelite. That would fit with the the design era and a proper determination would add value to the pitcher should you ever decide to sell it (or if your heirs do)!