A MARTELE SILVER PITCHER

Details
A MARTELE SILVER PITCHER
MAKER'S MARK OF GORHAM MFG. CO., PROVIDENCE, 1897, DESIGNED BY WILLIAM C. CODMAN

Of shaped baluster form on circular undulating base, with spot- hammered surface and handle, the body chased with panels of strapwork and leaves, with flaring undulating rim, marked, with Gorham sample mark, 9458 in oval--6 1/4in. high
(29oz.10dwt.)
Literature
Charles H. Carpenter, Jr., Gorham Silver, 1982, fig. 247, p. 233-234; mark illus. p. 290
Exhibited

Lot Essay

Gorham's records describe this pitcher as "Love Cup."

Some of the finest examples of Codman's hammered, or Martele, art nouveau designs were made before 1900, when the Martele mark was introduced for marketing purposes. As noted by Samuel Hough, "most Martele pieces made before 1900 were made as Samples," which describes the mark on this piece ("Notes from the Gorham Archives," Silver Magazine, July/August, 1988, p. 16).