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Lot Essay
The Martelé records indicate that this bowl was produced in 1912 as a sample and sold as a fern dish. Silversmith Alexander MacBeth made the bowl in 36 hours. The time taken to chase the bowl was even greater; David Wilmot required over 90 hours. The cost of the bowl was $240.00.
David Wilmot (1853-1940) was a master chaser at Gorham and was employed only upon important works. Wilmot trained in England and was hired by Gorham in 1875. According to researcher Sam Hough, Wilmot was regarded, for a long period as Gorham's most talented chaser, evidenced by his salary, which was only surpassed by that of the factory foreman. Wilmot briefly left Gorham, but returned in 1899. Upon his return, Wilmot, along with Robert Bain and George Sauthof, were paid wages double that of other Gorham chasers. Wilmot remained at Gorham until his retirement in 1925.
David Wilmot (1853-1940) was a master chaser at Gorham and was employed only upon important works. Wilmot trained in England and was hired by Gorham in 1875. According to researcher Sam Hough, Wilmot was regarded, for a long period as Gorham's most talented chaser, evidenced by his salary, which was only surpassed by that of the factory foreman. Wilmot briefly left Gorham, but returned in 1899. Upon his return, Wilmot, along with Robert Bain and George Sauthof, were paid wages double that of other Gorham chasers. Wilmot remained at Gorham until his retirement in 1925.