Gorham Antique Sterling Silver Bonbonniere, Providence, RI, 1897

This magnificent bon bon server exhibits exceptionally executed French Empire design. The shaped handle is reeded and encircled with a spiraling garland of flowers. The top displays a female mask with a string of pearls in the center of a pierced foliage surround. The elaborate bowl is exquisite.

A lyre over a ribbon bow is central to the pierced bowl. Adorned with sprigs of laurel leaves and berries, a trellis is surrounded with scrolling foliate designs. The top of the bowl features a male mask with a shell crown flanked with sea creatures. The back is just as elaborately decorated and beautiful as the front. 

This rare server is marked on the back with Gorham's and 'STERLING/ 867' and with the 'trident' symbol date mark for 1897. It measures 12 inches long, weighs 8.35 troy ounces, has never been monogrammed and is in very good/ excellent antique condition with only very light traces of the original gilding remaining.