An American Silver "Martelé" Fish Platter, Gorham Mfg. Co., Providence, Rhode Island, 1913

This platter was the largest item of an extensive 30-piece fish set, coded A/MT to A/NA. The other items were a pair of servers (lot 536), a sauce boat, tray, and ladle, and 12 each of individual fish knives and forks.

The fish platter required 30 hours to form, then was chased for 63 hours by David Wilmot. The English-born Wilmot had emigrated to the United States in 1873, and by 1875 was working for Gorham. He was considered one of the two best chasers at Gorham, with only Robert Bain being paid more. He left the company between 1894 and 1899, but returned in time to work on some of the most important examples of the new Martelé line. He remained at Gorham until his retirement in 1925.

This fish platter was finished May 27, 1913, and the net factory price was set at $180. The other items of the servce were finished in July and September of that year (see Pristo, op. cit.)