| This fascinating dish was made by Gorham at the time that they were developing a special line of Art Silver, pieces which were not only intended to be practical, but which were also made to be admired as works of Art in their own right.
Many of Gorham's designers were inspired by Japanese art and that influence is immediately apparent on this eclectic dish, particularly in the unusual and asymetrical placement of the decorative elements around the rim.
At the top is a scene of applied copper and gilded silver depicting a pig-tailed man in Oriental clothing sitting beside a bamboo plant and contentedly puffing a large cloud of smoke from a long pipe. He is seated on an extraordinarily well-rendered 3 dimensional ground consisting of meticulously applied copper granules from which a beautifully-detailed tree with large leaves is growing behind him. A bee, a butterfly and a flying crane, all made of applied copper have been positioned separately, the flying cranes reinforcing the Japanese influence. The contrast of the mixed metals on the silver has been enhanced by the way in which the silver has been specially treated so that it has a flat matte finish instead of a shiny surface. The condition is superb. The silver has a soft grey patina and the details on the applied metals are crisp and clearly defined. The base is marked with a clearly visible set of Gorham hallmarks, the words Sterling and other metals, the number 420 and the letter N. The dimensions are approximately 5 1/2" in diameter X approximately 1" high.
Price: $1,750.00 Stock #AV971 |