Gorham Antique Sterling Silver 'Hizen' Pattern Salad Serving Fork, Providence, RI, c. 1880

One of the most magnificent flatware designs ever created was called 'Hizen' named after an old Japanese province. This imaginative design has a crab at the base of the handle and a dragon at the top whose tail wraps around the back. The back of the handle has a koi fish and is also engraved with a 'DeW' monogram. Above the wavy tines is a koi fish swimming amongst waves. 

The symbolisms of a crane and a koi fish are those of long life and good luck. The back of the handle is also beautiful, with an undulating foliate design and a hand-engraved scene on the blade of a crab amongst seagrass. There is a space at the top of the handle that has never been monogrammed.

Provenance: Private collection.

This lovely serving fork is marked on the back with Gorham's trademark and 'STERLING.' It measures 9 inches long, weighs 2.70 troy ounces, and is in very good antique condition with minor scratches to the tines.

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