- 145
Gorham Mfg. Co.
Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 USD
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Description
- Gorham Mfg. Co.
- Martelé Fish Platter (CJI) and Sauce Boat (CJJ)
bases stamped with firm's Martelé mark
- silver
both chased with catfish, shells and seaweed, with etched seaweed script monogram SHC
Literature
illustrated L.J. Pristo, Martelé Gorham's Nouveau Art Silver, 2002, p. 114.
Condition
some scratches to surface of platter from use, good condition
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
According to Gorham's archives, fish platter CJI, sauce boat CJJ and its original tray CJK were completed on 10 January 1903. The net factory price of the set was $275. The platter was raised by silversmith F.O. Erichsen in 22 hours, and the sauce boat and tray were made by Lars Darlin Monsen in 40 hours. Costing records indicate that the chasing was completed in 101 hours, and that all three pieces were chased by William Heath (No. 35), the son of Harry Heath, another Martelé chaser. William Heath began his apprenticeship in September 1899, and is known to have chased twelve pieces of Martelé during his career. At the time of this set's completion, Heath would have had just over three years chasing experience, this set being the most challenging of his recorded pieces.
In his book Maretlé Gorham's Nouveau Art Silver (2002), Larry Pristo offers an alternative attribution to the chasing of this set. Based on similar chasing, Pristo credits G.A. Achillertim (No. 36) as the chaser. Achilertim, who worked for Gorham between February 1899 and June 1903, was seated next to Heath and was likely his mentor. Achillertim was a talented chaser, who evidentially specialized in fish sets. A similar sauce boat and tray in the Shelton collection is illustrated in John Webster Keefe and Samuel J. Hough's Magnificent, Marvelous, Martelé, American Art Nouveau Silver (No. 29, p. 160). The fish knife and fork (2241) included in the above listed period photograph of the present lot is also in the Shelton collection (No. 21 p. 134). Achillertim's most important piece is perhaps the dressing table made for the 1900 Paris Exposition currently at the Dallas Museum.
In his book Maretlé Gorham's Nouveau Art Silver (2002), Larry Pristo offers an alternative attribution to the chasing of this set. Based on similar chasing, Pristo credits G.A. Achillertim (No. 36) as the chaser. Achilertim, who worked for Gorham between February 1899 and June 1903, was seated next to Heath and was likely his mentor. Achillertim was a talented chaser, who evidentially specialized in fish sets. A similar sauce boat and tray in the Shelton collection is illustrated in John Webster Keefe and Samuel J. Hough's Magnificent, Marvelous, Martelé, American Art Nouveau Silver (No. 29, p. 160). The fish knife and fork (2241) included in the above listed period photograph of the present lot is also in the Shelton collection (No. 21 p. 134). Achillertim's most important piece is perhaps the dressing table made for the 1900 Paris Exposition currently at the Dallas Museum.