Gorham Mixed Metal Oyster or Fruit Fork, Providence, RI, c. 1880

This beautiful fork has a hammered handle with applied pieces of sand from which two applied copper stalks of bamboo grow. Interestingly, 2 granules of sand are also copper. This distinctive tines have a soft gilded finish. The back of the handle has a matte finish and is engraved 'SMC.' This rare fork is marked with Gorham's trademark and 'STERLING AND OTHER METALS.' It measures just under 6 inches long, weighs .85 troy ounces and is in excellent antique condition.

Provenance: From the collection of Dale E. Bennett.

Literature: Dale E. Bennett, "Lobster & Lobster Silver" in Silver Magazine, May/June, 2012, pp. 16-22.