Gorham Antique Sterling 'Cow' Butter Pats - 11, Providence, RI, 1881, 1882

We have never seen this clever design on butter pats (referred to as 'butter plates' in the Gorham Archives) before, except for photos in the Gorham Archives (see below). The pats are parcel-gilt and engraved with varying scenes of cows grazing or resting, along with one cow being milked by a female figure. The various borders are engraved with wheat, butterflies, exotic grasses, and birds. Each of the pats is also engraved with a script 'C.C.F' monogram.

We call these Americanesque rather than Japaneseque.

These rare butter pats are marked with Gorham's trademark, 'STERLING/ 1370,' and either the 'N' or 'O' date mark for 1879 or 1880. They measure just shy of 3 inches in width, have a combined weight of 9 troy ounces, and are in very good antique condition with even wear from use.

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