www.925-1000.com

Hi All,

I confess that I'm not well versed with American silver and so when I purchased this pair of Gorham "I'm not quite sure what", some years ago, understood they were made by Gorham and assumed them to be a pair of small candle holders. I'm now having second thoughts as to their use as I think the sconce shape is rather too tapered and therefore unsuitable to successfully hold a candle. The outer rim would however make a good wax catcher?

They could be table salts but again, don't look to be a very suitable shape? I also wondered about egg cups but again don't look large enough in the sconce? recess. Any ideas?

Secondly, I'd always thought them to be late art nouveau moving into deco because of the handle shape and plain conical foot, but having just looked up the Gorham marks;

http://www.925-1000.com/Gorham_Date_Code.html

am somewhat surprised to find them date to 1869. Could someone learned in Gorham please confirm that I'm on track with this date please?




Thanks to all those who look and those who are able to impart some knowledge,
Steve

That version of their trademark was used on both coin and sterling in the 1850s-'60s, and the 'B' is the 1869 date code - personally, see more Neo - classical than Art Nouveau or Deco. Not where I can check my references right now, but dimensions might be helpful in determining their original purpose...

~Cheryl

Thankyou Cheryl for your time and knowledge.

They stand 2 1/8" (55mm) tall and the outer rim diameter is 2 1/4" (58mm). The inner diameter is 1 3/16"(30mm). I have just tried to place a standard candle in one and found the candle way too thin.

I'm tending towards salt cellars but still have a couple reservations. They don't appear to have any traces of gold wash internally so may have had glass liners. In my experience, most salts that aren't protected by a gold wash, even with liners, tend to have some corrosion from the odd grain of salt falling under the liner. These have absolutely none. Further, they have definitely had use of some kind over the years
(or "butterfingered" cleaning) as one in particular wears a number of bumps to the rim.

Thankyou once again,
Steve

Definitely 1869.
Interesting items! :-)

I'm happy to add some new information:


They are indeed salt cellars!

Welcome to the Forum Asheland.

Trev.

Hi Asheland - kept forgetting to check these in the Tompkins book when at home, thanks so much for looking it up and posting!

~Cheryl

Thank you! I'm happy to join and look forward to many discussions!

Hi Asheland,

Welcome and thankyou for the positive identification.

Cheers,
Steve

You're welcome, Steve! Happy to help!