Gorham 'Versailles' Antique Sterling Silver Pie Server/ Knife, Providence, RI, c. 1900

With a flowing shell design on the gilded blade, this beautiful and large pie server features a finely detailed handle with a female figure at the top holding a bunch of grapes and other fruit. The pattern is based on the decorations and the gardens at Louis XIV's palace of Versailles.

Gorham's Versailles pattern was designed by Antoine Heller, who was their preeminent flatware designer of the period. (He also designed Tiffany's Olympian pattern, and his services were the subject of a bidding war by Tiffany & Gorham.)

Provenance:
Collection of Dale E. Bennett

Literature:
Dale E. Bennett, "American Sterling Pastry Servers 1860-1900" in Silver Magazine, May/ June 2011, p. 21.

This lovely server measures 9.25 inches long and 2.9 inches wide in the blade. It weighs 2.9 troy ounces and is marked with Gorham's trademark, "STERLING," and "COPYRIGHTED." It is in excellent antique condition, retaining the original gilding to the blade, and it has never been monogrammed.