Gorham Antique Coin Silver Wine Service, Providence, RI, c. 1864

This rare and delightful wine set consists of a claret jug and six original wine goblets in a fitted box. A wonderful female bust on the jug handle is part of the classical decoration. Acting as a thumbpiece, this wonderful casting exhibits lovely details and is flanked by two rosettes. Beautifully engraved on all the pieces are Neo-grec designs along with gothic 'H' initials.

This wonderful drinks service is marked with Gorham's trademark and by the great San Francisco, CA retailer "GEO. C. Shreve & CO." The jug and cups are also numbered 15 and 350, respectively. The jug is 11 inches tall, and the set weighs a combined 35.45 troy ounces. The original fitted box is lined in purple felt. Although the box cover has separated from the bottom and it is somewhat worn, the box still protects the set and makes a nice presentation. The silver is in excellent condition, as is the original gilding on the cups' interiors.

According to the Gorham Archive records at the John Hay Library, the number 15 jug had a factory production cost of $48.60, and each cup cost $8.36.

Gorham Archives image courtesy of the John Hay Library, Brown University.