A RARE SILVER AND MIXED-METAL BISCUIT JAR

MARKED GORHAM MFG. CO., PROVIDENCE, 1872

Details

A RARE SILVER AND MIXED-METAL BISCUIT JAR
Marked Gorham Mfg. Co., Providence, 1872
Barrel-form with hammered surface overall, decorated in the Japanese taste, applied scenes including a spider and web centering a copper flower, a copper bird and butterfly with lotus plant, butterflies and a lily with copper petals and gilt leaves, the removable cover with finial formed from blossoming branch, marked underside.
8in. (20.3cm.) high; gross weight 28oz.

Lot Essay

Japanese-inspired motifs are frequenlty seen on silver tea caddies produced by Gorham and Tiffany and in the 1870s and 1880s, but similar designs on biscuit jars are less common. Described as "cracker jars" in the Gorham catalgoues, such pieces were costly, another example retailed in 1880 for $140.

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