Help with a couple items

[Little]

Hi everyone, I'm new and have a few items I can't find doing Google searching for. has anyone ever seen this item? it looks to be made by Gorham, but what is the 1515 L for?

[Little]

also this looks to be a cigarette case, but on the inside after I open the lid there's the lion-anchor-G, but on the other side it says 166 K, does anyone know what that means? I also have the case it came in, it have a name of Grogan and Merz.

[Aguest]

Hello there, I believe the "K" and "L" letters are Gorham date codes for 1878 and 1879, which would make sense because the items display elements of the "aesthetic" period. These flowers and plants and birds do seem consistent with this period which was influenced by artwork from Japan.

Both items seem similar to me, but I do know the administrators prefer us to devote a single thread to a single item.
I have made this mistake before when I presented two spoons which seemed related, but it is best to stick to a single item.

I always enjoy the Gorham pieces from this period, and I don't know what the numbers mean, but I often see the numbers with repeating digits.
Sometimes I have found that the numbers refer to specific patterns, for example I found a spoon that was marked "67" and it did indeed correspond to the Pattern Number 67 in the database of patterns. So sometimes they do seem to be linked to patterns. Other times, I can find no meaning whatsoever for the numbers, many of which have repeating digits such as "44" and "55" and "155" but when you look at the pattern numbers it is obvious there is no relation whatsoever. I assume it is an internal tracking number of some sort whose significance has been lost, but I am always looking for more information from an authority on Gorham flatware and small silver articles such as the ones in your collection.

There are certain members here who have a vast knowledge, and I mean vast. I hope they can help you.

[Aguest]

I neglected to say the name on the case is most likely the "retailer" who sold the case, usually a jewelry shop or a silver company.

If I had to guess, the case would be for cards which a lady carried to present a gentleman caller. The case and the chain are elegant, and this would be the sort of case a lady would take to a social event or a dance. The bird design is made with a process called "bright-cut" and if you move the case back and forth it gives an interesting light effect that makes the bird seem like its flying. I have a large spoon with a similar design, though not by Gorham. I always admire these bird designs when I come across them, and they were certainly created by highly skilled individuals. I saw a documentary about the Gorham silver company and they only have one person left who does bright-cut designs, and he had to attend the Rhode Island School of Design for 4 years and apprentice for many years to perfect the art.

[Little]

Thanks Aguest, I can remove an item....but can't figure out how to edit my post. also, the case is oval shaped and that's why I thing is for cigarettes. it's 4 x 2.25 x 1/2 inch thick.

The square item is 2.5 x 2.5 inches. the only thing I can think of is a ashtray or I saw some shapes like this called butter pats. thanks for you help on the matter too!

[user701]

I would agree with Aguest, the case is more likely to be a ladies card case, the other (to me) looks to an ashtray, as there are rests in each corner.

[Little]

Yes, I did some more searching and you're both right, thanks. I was just thinking that because I also have a match safe that came with it. also, the thing that looks like an ashtray came as a set of 12, so I almost think they're butter pats instead.

[dognose]

Hi Little,

Welcome to the Forum.

Please remember in future posts to keep your images to within the 7" (18cm) guidelines, otherwise those with smaller monitors may not be able to see the whole image.

Trev.

[Little]

Will do!