Gorham 'Hizen' Pattern Antique Sterling Silver Cake Saw, Providence, RI, c. 1880

One of the most magnificent flatware designs ever created was called 'Hizen' named after an old Japanese province. The combination of art nouveau styling and Japanesque imagery makes this a work of art.

The front of the handle depicts two scenes: one being a crane bird in flight against a thatch background and the other koi fish swimming amongst sea vegetation with a wavy background. The solid silver shaped blade with serrated top is engraved with two koi swimming amongst bamboo sea grass.

The symbolism of a crane bird and koi fish are that of long life and good luck. The back of the handle is also beautiful with art nouveau foliate design on the handle and a hand-engraved scene on the blade of a crab amongst sea grass. There is a space at the top of the handle which has never been monogrammed.

This stunning cake saw is marked on the back with Gorham's trademark along with 'STERLING'. It measures 11.25 inches long and is in excellent antique condition.