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Lot Essay
Gorham lists this model for an ice bowl as No. 125 and it was first introduced on 15 April, 1870 at the manufacturing cost of $81.96. Gorham made several different ice bowls; however, this model was the most popular and best-selling.
The iconography of this ice bowl relates to the 1867 purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Also at this time, the Bostonian, Frederic Tudor (1783-1864) developed the technology to harvest, market, and sell ice to an affluent client base. Ice was a luxury in the late 19th century, and these silver bowls reflected its value and prestige. (See Samuel J. Hough, "The Class of 1870: Gorham Sterling Ice Bowls," Silver Magazine, September-October 1989, pp. 30-33).
An identical 1870 Gorham Ice Bowl was sold in these room on 20 January 2017, lot 757.
The iconography of this ice bowl relates to the 1867 purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Also at this time, the Bostonian, Frederic Tudor (1783-1864) developed the technology to harvest, market, and sell ice to an affluent client base. Ice was a luxury in the late 19th century, and these silver bowls reflected its value and prestige. (See Samuel J. Hough, "The Class of 1870: Gorham Sterling Ice Bowls," Silver Magazine, September-October 1989, pp. 30-33).
An identical 1870 Gorham Ice Bowl was sold in these room on 20 January 2017, lot 757.