Vincent Laforme Antique Coin Silver Gravy Boat, Boston, MA, c. 1854-59

Classic design and decoration create this stunning sauce or gravy boat. An applied 'C'- scroll handle has a leaf thumb piece. Bold applied feet are formed with stepped pad feet and bold shell decoration. The plain, oval, elongated body with a shaped edge has a beautiful, reflective surface and a long, extending spout.

Intensely proud of their colonial and revolutionary heritage, 19th-century Bostonians never completely relinquished their attachment to colonial design. In fact, this sauce boat closely resembles ones made by Paul Revere, Jr., the Patriot, about 100 years earlier. While colonial designs would become fashionable again late in the century, some Bostonians chose these designs earlier, before (or after) they were in fashion, such as in the 1830s (see here) or about 1855, as seen in this wonderful piece.

Vincent Laforme, son of a German immigrant silversmith, ran a small shop in Boston during the mid-19th century using traditional hand-powered tools. Most of his work is very well-crafted, showcasing sophisticated design. He did not achieve the critical mass to compete against the larger factories, such as Gorham, that were turning to power machinery. Work with his mark is rarely seen today, in part because retailers preferred marking the silver from his shop with only their mark. 

This outstanding sauce boat is marked underneath by the Boston retailer ‘S.T. Crosby' for Samuel Trevett Crosby / PURE COIN/ BOSTON,’ and Laforme’s gothic ‘L’ and spread eagle marks. It measures 7 inches long across the handle and spout by 3.75 inches wide by 4.5 inches high to the top of the handle, weighs 12.40 troy ounces, and is in excellent antique condition.