1860s Gorham sterling silver bud vase with cherubs

[asheland]

You're welcome! :)
I am in the same boat, I am a big fan of coin silver, too.
Wait until you discover a piece of southern coin. That's really exciting!

[LovesMoose]

Oh, boy. So now I'm off to learn about southern coin. :o)

I have a few more questions about this vase:

1) Was coin silver poured into a mold? How much hands-on work was involved in creating a vase like this?

2) Did the designer ever carve "hidden" initials into his work?

And I wonder why these cherubs are wingless. Some are throughout history and some aren't, but why?

[asheland]

The body would have been spun (similar to a potter turning pottery)
The cherubs would have been cast then applied (soldered) to the piece.
The beading is likely die rolled. So on a piece like this, some machine work, some hand work.

Gorham's earlier work had a lot more hand work than the later stuff (1920 and on)
Of course the Martele line and some of the Aesthetic pieces were done completely by hand.
(That's the really good stuff) :o)

[LovesMoose]

I saw a Martele piece online recently. So lovely!

Spinning silver? I'll have to research that one, too. What a fascinating process just to produce one piece. Thanks for all the great information.

:o)

[asheland]

You're very welcome. :)