lorettab1
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posted on July 3, 2004 06:19:38 AM new
I bought a Sterling Silver bowl/serving piece at a garage sale yesterday. From the marks I'm sure it's Gorham as it has the right facing lion, anchor & G mark. Under that it says STERLING, under that the number 4240 (pattern?) and under that a tiny mark that looks almost like a hand or perhaps a scallop type shell.
The outside of the bowl has a design that looks almost like chili peppers, or commas all the way around it. Bowl is appr 12" long across the top, appr 3" deep and oblong/rectangular in shape; not sure if it's for bread, fruit or what; and it is not footed.
Does anyone know what the pattern name is and when it was made? Thanks in advance for any help. Can't post a pic now as my digi cam is NOT working for some reason; need to get a new one.
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paws4God
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posted on July 3, 2004 07:27:44 AM new
The little comma edge is probably what is called Gadroon. That may not be the name of the pattern though. Here is what replacements.com has listed for Gadroon by Gorham. You will have to click on the photo to enlarge and see the edges.
http://www.replacements.com/webquote/GS_GADHCP.htm
Here is a great site for silver marks.
http://www.silvercollecting.com/silvermarksG.html
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lorettab1
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posted on July 3, 2004 10:27:44 AM new
Thanks for the reply; it does seem very similar to Gadroon. I was able to borrow my sisters camera for a few days until I can get a new one so have taken a few pics...
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neroter12
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posted on July 3, 2004 10:43:15 AM new
Looks like a sterling silver spit cup in a dentists office.
just kidding...good luck!
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tomwiii
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posted on July 3, 2004 10:48:15 AM new
An Emesis Basin for Rich Pukes
The wealthy really are different!
833
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OhMsLucy
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posted on July 3, 2004 10:52:48 AM new
Hi Loretta,
Here's a link that should help. Looks like your dish is Gorham...
http://www.silvercollecting.com/silvermarksG.html
Lucy
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lorettab1
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posted on July 3, 2004 11:01:10 AM new
neuroter 12: Gee my dentists' Sterling Spit Cup is a whole LOT fancier than this!
tomwiii: I've always known that the wealthy are different than the rest of us; but have no clue what an Emesis Basin is.
OhMsLucy: Thanks for reply I appreciate it; I was sure it was Gorham but really am trying to identify the pattern name and date of production. Sterling silver is not something that I know much about; have no reference books on the subject and internet search can be lengthy unless you know a pattern name.
I'm guessing that one of the silver experts here will know this pattern.
Happy 4th of July everyone; and if you want to live to see the 6th don't try to drive if you drink a 5th on the 4th....huh?
[ edited by lorettab1 on Jul 3, 2004 11:03 AM ]
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OhMsLucy
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posted on July 3, 2004 11:19:43 AM new
Here's an eBay auction that might help.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39441&item=3732501432&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
Edited to add the 4240 might refer to the shape rather than a pattern.
[ edited by OhMsLucy on Jul 3, 2004 11:20 AM ]
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tomwiii
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posted on July 3, 2004 11:30:03 AM new
emesis = puke...aka "upchuck"
833
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sanmar
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posted on July 3, 2004 03:27:41 PM new
Pretty sure it is Gorham. It is probably a celery or pickle dish. Don't think Gorham was into emesis basins. Besides they were more kidney shaped & I ought to know, I handled enough as a Corpsman in the USN.
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tomwiii
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posted on July 3, 2004 03:41:04 PM new
Hee!hee!
METWO!
T'was a Coastie at GreatLakes in 1972 -- 1st in me class & the NAVY was all PO's at me 
833
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neroter12
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posted on July 3, 2004 04:40:29 PM new
Thats the name for the thing!! I am glad Tom came up with it Couldnt think of of it! But it instantly reminded me of those grossest things. I would almost wretch just looken at one when my father was ill. They are plastic tho, and they all got thrown out. Bleach nothing!
Why do the elderly always think its a triump or a souvenier to bring home as much of those plastic things from the hospital even if they dont need them??
This dish seems kinda short for a celery dish and way too scalloped up on the ends, no??
Gorham silver seems to do well on ebay at any rate!
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mcjane
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posted on July 3, 2004 08:45:33 PM new
tom
Were you a corpman in the CG
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tomwiii
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posted on July 3, 2004 10:24:42 PM new
mcjane:
Yeah, I was in the CG from 70-74, & in 1972, I went to Navy HM School at Great Lakes because, at that time, the CG didn't have its own Corps School.
My only billet as an HM2 was running the Eye Clinic at the Academy Hospital in New London from '72-'74...
833
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mcjane
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posted on July 4, 2004 11:48:49 PM new
tom
I knew you were in the CG & figured you were a corpman when you said Emesis Basin. It does look a lot like one!
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bizzycrocheting
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posted on July 5, 2004 06:44:09 AM new
Could it be a finger bowl? You know, the kind the rich used to have on the table to dip their delicate fingers in to wash them off.
DIane
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silvergirl
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posted on July 8, 2004 03:40:09 PM new
Hi;
Your bowl is indeed Gorham, and a lovely antique one at that. That 'scallop' or 'hand' figural under the marks is the one Gorham used to date their items for the year 1896. (Gorham date marked with a slew of figurals for each and every year until about the 1940's I think). You have both an oldie and a goodie! It is similar to but NOT 'gadroon'. Gadroon is typically used on the bases of weighted pieces like candlesticks and compotes (candydishes with pedistals, for lack of better explaination) and more low-end but still sterling silver items. The gadroon pattern is more raised, as if the commas were plumped up. Your bowls edging is not quite like that, it is obvious your item is not weighted. (And as Martha would say--if she ever says this anymore-- "And that's a good thing!" I do not think it is a celery dish as I believe it to be too deep to be one, and I also think celery dishes were more of a 1920's + thing. The Norkitake china ones I've seen are much shallower and usually accompied by six little mini's--guess everyone got one to use their own salt in it. Last--I am not an expert, but all I sell is silver and I am pretty smart about it--I love it best because it doesn't break when I drop it. Were this MY piece to sell, I'd use a title something like "Antique c.1896 GORHAM STERLING SILVER BOWL" and squeese in No Reserve if you are going to list that way. While in truth the bowl is year dated 1896, buyers like to c. = circa. Circa actually means 10 years before or after the actual date, but you can put in the description that your piece is 'year dated by the Scallop mark'--believe me, Sterling buyers will look at the mark and know that that is a fact...even though I've already said-- Last...I wouldn't try to tell people what the item is used for...'cause we really don't know if it HAD a specific purpose. Unless the item is clearly what it is is (like a candlestick or ashtray) I prefer to push harder the age, condition, and how a buyer MIGHT choose to use it--I think it narrows buyers ideas if you list in the description "Gorham Solid Sterling Celery Dish c.1896". I think you get more itnerest but simply saying it is a dish and giving an accurate description--by all means give ideas if you think they would be appropriate--but don't pidgeon-hole the item. While there are tons of books out there that describe a lot of the Victorian flat- & holloware usuage, we truely don't know everything--your buyer may see your bowl and think it would be just The Bomb to float orchids in Good luck with your find!!
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lorettab1
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posted on July 8, 2004 04:29:08 PM new
Thanks silvergirl for all of the helpful information; the bowl is earlier than I thought originally. I appreciate your help.
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kiara
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posted on July 8, 2004 09:31:00 PM new
One of my silver books shows some of these and refers to them as bread trays.
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silvergirl
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posted on July 9, 2004 03:51:00 PM new
Kiara, you are absolutely right..It is most likely a bread tray, probably is a bread tray, and dang!--it sure is a bread tray. While Lorettab1 might and quite certainly could list it that way, I think she'd get more bids by not calling it exactly what it is in the title (but she'd probably smart to use it in the description). Todays families are larger, we have services for eight & twelve. Until about the 1950's, flatware services were made for six. With all the interest in breads, homemade and electric (even I bought a bread-making machine), I'd hate to see Loretta lose a sale because someone had a specialty bread that they were prideful of...but wouldn't fit in that tray. Not that their bread wasn't worth a sterling silver dish to put it in, but just that it wouldn't fit. Sometimes I find people have no imagination, and you really have to coax them along. by suggesting other uses for a particular piece. Well, I do go on...and on. I am sure it just is the Olde Age thing. Now what were we talking about??? Well, regardless, I wish everyone good luck and certainly appreciate your imput about this item being specifically a bread tray. I think I need some carbs right now...!
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Libra63
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posted on July 9, 2004 09:11:26 PM new
That was quite a lesson and greatly appreciated. Thanks
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