Need Help Identifying Gorham Piece

[CarriageHouse]

Hi -

I'm wondering if anyone can help me identify what this Gorham sterling piece was designed to be used for...It seems to small to me to be a coaster.

As well, if anyone has insight into the age and pattern of this piece, it would be greatly appreciated.







Thanks,
-Steve

[CarriageHouse]

Here are offsite links:

http://www.carriagehousesolutions.ca/gr ... ham_01.jpg
http://www.carriagehousesolutions.ca/gr ... ham_02.jpg
http://www.carriagehousesolutions.ca/gr ... ham_03.jpg

[dognose]

Hi Steve,

How large is it?

Trev.

[CarriageHouse]

Hey Trev -

Thanks for reply.

Here are the dimensions...

H: 3/4 inches
W: 2 1/2 inches (Outer Edge)
W: 2 1/8 inches (Inner Edge)

[dognose]

Hi Steve,

I'm sure one of our American contributors can give a more exacting answer, but I could see that in use as a coaster for Tabasco or Worcestershire sauce bottles.

Trev.

[CarriageHouse]

Thanks Trev.

[JLDoggett]

Possibly an individual nut dish or ashtray for a dinner table (Actually meant to be shared by 2). otherwise it could have many uses at table.

[CarriageHouse]

Thanks for the reply, even made me think coin dish too...

[CarriageHouse]

But it does look more like an elegant ash tray now

[dragonflywink]

Pretty sure it's an open salt, believe I've seen it with a matching pepper shaker...not at home right now, but can check a couple of salt books later.

~Cheryl

[dragonflywink]

Took a few minutes to flip through a couple of books - Heacock & Johnson's 5000 Open Salts shows some similar, with one very close in scale, form and decoration, described as by Gorham, circa 1891. A quick internet search for 'gorham 2155 salt' finds a pair of identical salts, noted as being dated to 1885 in Tompkins' Handbook of Gorham Open Salt Dishes; and a matching shaker with the same production number also shows up, described as a salt and pepper set.

~Cheryl

[JLDoggett]

Way to go, Cheryl, always on the ball.

[dragonflywink]

Eh, just 'salt' oriented - Mom has collected them for decades, I've always done the research and cataloging...

~Cheryl

[CarriageHouse]

Hey Cheryl -

Apologize for my tardy reply, Thank You so much for your help!!!

-Steve