Gorham Silver Art Nouveau Inkstand

This elegant, two-piece desk set consists of a heavy cut crystal inkwell with a hinged sterling silver collar and lid, paired with its matching square sterling silver presentation tray.

1. The Sterling Silver Tray

The square tray measures 5 ¼” on each side. It is designed with a recessed, plain central well that mirrors the square base of the inkwell.

• Aesthetic & Style: The wide, undulating rim features a beautiful organic Art Nouveau motif executed in high-relief repoussé. It depicts flowing, twisting vines intertwined with prominent, stylized leaves and blooming floral buds. The outermost border is finished with a smooth, scalloped and rolled edge that accentuates the movement typical of the period.
• Hallmarks: The reverse side of the tray bears the standard Gorham 20th-century hallmarks: a lion passant (left), an anchor (center), and an Old English style “G” (right). Directly below, it is stamped “STERLING” along with the factory pattern/production number 1632, and a small sailboat symbol. According to the Gorham date chart, this specific sailboat mark corresponds directly to the year 1904.

2. The Crystal & Sterling Inkwell

The matching square inkwell measures 3 ¼” in height by 2 ½” square at its base.

• Crystal Body: The inkwell features an internal teardrop-shaped reservoir suspended within a thick, heavy block of clear crystal. The lower portion of the exterior glass is intricately cut with a crisp, geometric criss-cross or diamond-point pattern that contrasts with the smooth upper shoulders of the glass block.
• Silver Lid & Collar: The top of the crystal bottle is fitted with a wide sterling silver collar and a domed, hinged lid. It features an embossed, multi-petaled floral blossom that coordinates with the organic theme of the tray.
• Hallmarks: The lower edge of the silver collar near the hinge repeats the three Gorham company symbols (lion, anchor, “G”), followed by “STERLING” and the item number D1124.

History of the Gorham Manufacturing Company

The history outlines the rise of one of America’s most influential silver manufacturers:

• Founding and Early Years (1831): The company was established in Providence, Rhode Island, by master craftsman Jabez Gorham in partnership with Henry L. Webster. Initially, their primary product line consisted of silver spoons, supplemented by small items like thimbles, combs, and jewelry.
• The Tariff of 1842: A turning point occurred when a tariff effectively blocked the importation of foreign silverware into the United States. While Jabez Gorham did not immediately capitalize heavily on this protectionist boom, it provided immense momentum to the domestic silver industry.
• Industrialization & Expansion (1847): Jabez retired in 1847, passing leadership to his visionary son, John Gorham. John recognized the potential of combining traditional craftsmanship with modern efficiency. He introduced mechanized production methods, expanded the downtown Providence manufacturing facilities, and vastly broadened the company’s catalog.
• European Influence & Global Prestige (1852): To elevate American design standards, John Gorham toured the major silver workshops and toolmakers of Europe in 1852. He recruited highly skilled foreign specialists to train his American workforce. Notably, he hired George Wilkinson, a premier English silversmith who became an influential designer and workshop manager for the firm, steering Gorham toward the international prestige it enjoyed by the turn of the 20th century.