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Lot Essay
According to the Gorham archives, this three-handled loving cup was completed on October 3, 1902 and made by Henry Barker and chased by Robert Bain. The net cost was $460 and the cup required 100 hours for fashioning and an additional 180 hours for chasing. Another three-handled cup employing similar motifs and dating to 1898 is illustrated in Larry Pristo, Martele: Gorham's Art Nouveau Silver, 2002, p. 98, see also p. 287.
Robert Bain was one of Gorham preeminent chasers, working from 1896 to 1907. According to Sam Hough, Bain's skills were held in such high regard that he was assigned only special projects in the factory and his output was limited. Another example of Bain's tour-de-force chasing work, a ewer and basin, sold in these Rooms on 21 January 2000, lot 236.
Philip Washburn Moen was born in Worcester in 1857. The Worcester-based firm, Washburn and Moen Manufacturing Company, was run by his grandfather, Ichabod Washburn, and later his father Philip Moen. The company was one of the largest wire producers in the country, supplying wire for pianos, hoop skirts and barbed wire for cattle fencing, as well as telephone, telegraph and electrical needs.
Robert Bain was one of Gorham preeminent chasers, working from 1896 to 1907. According to Sam Hough, Bain's skills were held in such high regard that he was assigned only special projects in the factory and his output was limited. Another example of Bain's tour-de-force chasing work, a ewer and basin, sold in these Rooms on 21 January 2000, lot 236.
Philip Washburn Moen was born in Worcester in 1857. The Worcester-based firm, Washburn and Moen Manufacturing Company, was run by his grandfather, Ichabod Washburn, and later his father Philip Moen. The company was one of the largest wire producers in the country, supplying wire for pianos, hoop skirts and barbed wire for cattle fencing, as well as telephone, telegraph and electrical needs.