| This is a charming and highly unusual terrapin soup service by the Gorham Manufacturing Company comprised of a sterling silver soup tureen and six individual soup bowls. The circular, open tureen stands on four scroll feet with leafy, seaweed joints embellished with fantastic sculptural and life-like turtles. The tureen has a wonderful low-bellied profile with a wide, shaped border of seaweed, curling waves and whimsically floating turtles. This wonderful aquatic theme is further carried into the side handles modeled with bold, seaweed joints that surround arranged shells. This set also includes six sterling silver soup bowls that are circular with deep rims and a wide, sculptural border of seaweed, waves and turtles, which matches the border on the tureen, making this an exceptional complete service. All of the decoration is exquisitely detailed and expertly crafted by the premier silversmiths at Gorham. Each piece is in excellent condition and has the maker’s mark of Gorham, the date symbols for 1898 and 1900, pattern numbers 7786 and 23, the word Sterling, and the retailer’s mark of Bailey, Banks & Biddle. The tureen measures approx. 3 1/4” high and 10 1/2” long over the handles, and each bowl measures approx. 6 1/2” in diameter, and together the set weighs approx. 78 troy ounces. This outstanding silver soup service would be a delightful addition to any table, and is a wonderfully unique example of the silversmith’s art! Price: $24,500 set Stock #BC195 |