Porter Blanchard 'Lotus' Pattern Sterling Silver Double-Serving Dish crafted by Richard Blanchard, c. 1927-30

This stunning and unusual sterling silver double-server in the rare 'Lotus' pattern was made by Richard Blanchard while working with his brother Porter Blanchard in Burbank, California. Two large, deep, rectangular bowls are designed with raised edges, rounded corners and a shaped edge with incised, lotus design lines and beautiful hammering. A bold loop handle with a hammered surface is applied at the midsection. This rare server is a large and striking example of arts & crafts silver.

Richard Blanchard and his brother Porter learned their trade from their father, George Porter Blanchard (who worked for Arthur Stone from 1906-09) in Gardner, Mass. The brothers were Members of the Society of Arts & Crafts, Boston where Richard is listed as a Craftsman 1913-16 and Master Craftsman Society, from 1917-18 and 1920-21 (The Society of Arts & Crafts, Boston Exhibition Record, 1897-1927, p. 31).

In 1923, Porter Blanchard moved to Burbank, California and was joined in 1925 by his brother and father. Richard worked in the Burbank shop until 1930. Working a relatively short period in Burbank, examples of Richard Blanchard silver are quite rare and this is a great example in a lovely design which exhibits the level and skill of a great silversmith. (See: "Richard Blanchard: Twentieth-Century Maker of Handwrought Silver" by Pansylea Howard Willburn in Silver Magazine July/August 2001 for more information.)

This beautiful sterling silver serving dish is marked underneath 'HANDMADE/ STERLING/ PORTER BLANCHARD'. A stamped 'R' inside a square designates the piece as being by Richard Blanchard. It measures 12.75 inches long by 9.25 inches wide by 4.25 inches high to the top of the handle. It weighs an impressive 35.90 troy ounces and is in excellent condition.