Gorham Rare Sample Electroformed Silver Gilt Creamer, Providence, RI, 1888

Sweet and extraordinary, this creamer is dramatically ornamented with various highly-detailed floral displays and swirling stems amongst vertical straps and a textured surface. The attached foliate handle is a simple 'C'-scroll. 

It is extraordinary because the body is electroformed - an innovative process that Tiffany used occasionally, but this is the only Gorham model we've been able to document being electroformed.

In 2002, we offered a 3-piece tête-à-tête set made in September 1889 (now in the collection of the Museum at The Rhode Island School of Design, see here), which had a regular production number, a copyright notice and the marking "DEPOSSE" (deposit). We hadn't had another piece in this line until we purchased this creamer. This particular example is most likely a prototype as it bears a 'Specials' code of '1027' and a date mark of 1888.

This rare creamer is marked underneath with Gorham's trademark along with the marks mentioned above and is engraved '1840-1890' along with scratched initials 'PER.' It measures 5 inches across the handle and spout by 3.5 inches high to the top of the handle, weighs 6.45 troy ounces, and is in very good/ excellent antique condition with a crease near the front base.