Gorham Antique Sterling Silver and Other Metals Bowl, Providence, RI, 1881

This lovely small bowl was originally called an olive dish but may have been used as a child's bowl or candy dish. The circular foot is designed with two horizontal lobes and the top has two bands of applied wire. The bulbous shape of the body has a smooth, unhammered matte finish.

Beautiful appliques decorate the bowl. One scene is of a bird in flight honing in on a butterfly.

A stunning scene executed in copper is designed with a Japanese figure with umbrella sitting on the ground watching a butterfly. Behind this figure is an elaborate and exotic tree peony.

This wonderful example of mixed metal is marked underneath with Gorham's trademark and 'STERLING & OTHER METALS/ 365/ N'. It measures 5.5 inches wide, weighs 5.55 troy ounces and is in very good antique condition with minor surface imperfections.