Gorham Antique Sterling & Mixed Metals Creamer & Sugar, Providence, RI, 1879

This remarkable set showcases imaginative design along with great silversmithing. The square, box-shaped bodies shimmer with lovely horizontal, hammered surfaces. Applied, plain straps border the tops and bottoms of the pieces. Attached, curved vine handles are ornamented at their tops and bottoms with riveted, textured straps. Traveling around opposite corners  of the sugar bowl are a gourd vine with leaves and a couple sprigs with berries. A large, circular, copper applique on the sugar features an owl perched on a ornamental tree. Beneath the owl is a bat in flight pursuing a moth. The sky has a couple stars and a crescent man in the moon. The creamer has an applied vine with leaves spreading downward from the handle top and around one of the corners. A cute addition to the vine is a tendril branching over and into the creamer with a hanging gourd. Above the bottom edge is a pebbled ground from which applied copper grasses sprout. A flying bat also decorates one of the sides. Another side has an applied bird and lastly a copper cicada.

According to costing records at the Gorham Archives, a model 2135 creamer and sugar was recorded on December 19, 1879. Here is the archival photo:

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

Provenance: Private Collection.

This lovely set is marked with Gorham's trademark along with 'STERLING/ & OTHER METALS/ 2135' along with the 'L' date letter for 1879. The sugar bowl measures just shy of 2.75 inches square by 3.25 inches to the tops of the handles. The widest length across the handles measures 5.5 inches. The creamer measures 2.25 inches square by 3.25 inches to the top of the handle. The widest length across the handle and spout measures 4 inches. This rare creamer and sugar weigh a combined 12 troy ounces. They are in excellent antique condition with light wear to the bottom interiors and interior gilding.