Gorham 'Japanese' pattern Fruit or Centerpiece bowl, c. 1875

This beautiful bowl is in Gorham's rare aesthetic movement pattern 'Japanese.'  Featuring a wide band of Japanese inspired figural decoration, the base is of tapering conical shape similar to the feet on Asian porcelain. The bowl has another cast applied band of  Japanese inspiration around the rim and handles based on boughs of the beautiful Japanese cherry tree.  Rare in flatware, this pattern is almost unheard of in holloware.  Gorham was a leader in the adaptation of Japanese inspired designs here during the 1870s.  This is discussed in depth in Charles Carpenter's Gorham Silver.

This piece is monogrammed "SGC" in a beautifully engraved foliate script on one side of the bowl.  At one point, it lived in France, bearing post-1893 French import marks.  It measures 5 3/4 inches high, 10 1/2 inches across the handles, and weighs 22.65 troy ounces.  It is in good antique condition with small dings and light wear to the highlights.