Gorham Antique Sterling Silver Almond Dish, Providence, RI, 1891

This delightful dish was cataloged as a 'salted almond dish' and used for serving what were regarded as delicacies at the time.

Inspired by the sea life of Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay, it is an imaginative form executed in the shape of a large shell with two smaller applied shells as feet. Applied sand and barnacle convey a realistic appearance to the piece. the interior of the bowl, with its ruffled striations, has a light gold wash. The underside of the shell has an engraved 'MH' monogram.

This lovely dish is marked with Gorham's trademark, 'STERLING/ 765' and with the date symbol of 1891. It measures 5 inches long by 1 inch high, weighs 2.65 troy ounces and is in very good antique condition.