Gorham Sterling Silver Inkwell

This Gorham sterling silver inkwell showcases the company’s renowned craftsmanship and artistic style.

Key Features:

• Material: Sterling silver.
• Style: Art Nouveau, characterized by its flowing, curvilinear forms and naturalistic motifs.
• Form: The inkwell has a bulbous, almost spherical body that tapers slightly towards the top. It features a separate, domed lid that fits snugly onto the body.
• Decoration:
  • Hand-Hammered Finish: The surface of the inkwell is hand-hammered, creating a textured, shimmering effect. This is a hallmark of Gorham’s “Martelé” line, which was produced during the Art Nouveau period.
  • Organic Motifs: The inkwell is decorated with stylized floral and foliate motifs. These motifs are executed in relief, creating a sense of depth and dimension.
  • Flowing Lines: The design features flowing, curvilinear lines that are characteristic of Art Nouveau. These lines create a sense of movement and rhythm, enhancing the inkwell’s organic aesthetic.
  • Monogram: The lid has a monogram.
• Lid:
  • Domed Shape: The lid is domed, echoing the shape of the inkwell’s body.
  • Matching Decoration: The lid is decorated with the same hand-hammered finish and organic motifs as the body, creating a cohesive design.

Gorham’s “Martelé” Line:

• Hand-Crafted: The “Martelé” line was Gorham’s most prestigious and expensive line, featuring hand-crafted pieces made by skilled artisans.
• Art Nouveau Style: The “Martelé” line was produced during the Art Nouveau period and showcased the style’s flowing lines, organic motifs, and emphasis on craftsmanship.
• Limited Production: The “Martelé” line was produced for a relatively short period, making these pieces highly collectible.

Understanding the Marks:

• Gorham Hallmark (Top Center): This is the primary mark of the Gorham Manufacturing Company. It consists of three symbols:
  • Lion Passant (Left): A lion walking to the left. This is a traditional English silver mark indicating sterling silver (925 parts per 1000). Gorham adopted this mark as part of their hallmark to signify the sterling standard.
  • Anchor (Center): This is Gorham’s distinctive symbol. It represents their location in Providence, Rhode Island, a port city.
  • Gothic “G” (Right): This is the initial for Gorham.
• “STERLING” (Center): This is a clear indication that the piece is made of sterling silver.
• Date Letter “M” (Bottom Right): This is the Gorham date letter. It indicates the year the piece was made, which is 1880 for this inkwell.
• Bell-Shaped Mark (Bottom Left): This is a Gorham trademark used for a specific period. It is often referred to as the “Martelé” mark.