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Lot Essay
The inscribed signature of Martelé designer William Christmas Codman on the reverse of this bowl is a rare feature. According to Samuel Hough, "a few of Gorham's choice customers were allowed to solicit his signature as a token of esteem and affection."
This special order bowl was produced for the Grogan Company, Pittsburgh, and was completed on September 17, 1913. The costing slip indicates the client requested the decorative motifs of one Martelé salad dish combined with the form of another Martelé bowl. This bowl was fashioned for 15 hours and chased for an additional 34½ hours by Ernest W. Regester, who worked at Gorham from 1882-1926. The net factory price was $80.00.