Gorham Copper and Applied Silver Creamer and Sugar with Dragon Handles, Providence, RI, 1884

This stunning creamer and sugar are made in the hammered copper line introduced by Gorham in 1882. Due to its warm colors of varying hues, copper became quite fashionable. It also made a dramatic background for silver appliques.

The bodies of both pieces have varying copper hues of reds and browns. The surface has wonderful honeycomb pattern hammering. Bands of silver wire strengthen and decorate the tops' perimeters. Splayed bands of thick gauge silver act as the feet. The handles are exquisite castings of dragons with stunning detail of scaly skin, clutching talons and expressive faces as if they are laughing.

The creamer is decorated on one side with a simple butterfly with the wings raised off the surface and attached at the tips giving it a wonderful 3-dimensional display. The opposite side has two butterflies and a foliate branch with berries.

The sugar bowl is stunning with one side decorated with two birds making a nest amongst bushes and pebbled ground. Another 3-dimensional butterfly is off to the right. The reverse side has three herons in flight and a statuesque dog amongst foliage and pebbled ground. We happen to love Golden Retrievers and think this sugar bowl is exceptional.

This wonderful set is marked underneath with the anchor mark used on copper wares and 'GORHAM CO/ 2395/ Q'. The creamer and sugar measure 4.75 and 7 inches long across the handles by 2.75 inches and 3 inches to the tops of the dragons respectively. They are in wonderful antique condition with some wear to the original interior gilding and exterior patina. We have not polished them as we like the surfaces of copper to remain untouched.