Colombian Exhibition of 1893: An American Silver Jardinière from the Rose Dinner Service, Gorham Mfg. Co., Providence, RI, 1892-93

rectangular, the everted undulating border chased with poppies in various stages of bloom flanked by foliage, the corner with swirling foliage within ovoid reserves bordered by shellwork and scrolls, the lobed sides chased with matching flowers and foliage, raised on a short fluted and gadrooned stem and spreading rectangular base chased with shellwork and scrolls and with four shell feet at corners, gilt interior

Gertrude Rhinelander Waldo (1836-1914)

Gorham Pavilion, 1893 Columbian Exposition, Chicago.

gilding to interior worn, some scratches to center, otherwise 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.

The Rose Dinner Service, elaborately hand-chased with flowers, was one of the highlights of Gorham's exhibit at the Chicago World's Fair.  The service was designed to be a tour-de-force for Gorham's chasers, the "House of Lords" in the new factory.  The French report on the fair signaled out the service as "very remarkable as a piece of repoussé work, and for the delicacy of its engraving [sic]."  Another commenter noted "the design is the eglantine or wild rose, and is executed with bold and elegant workmanship on each piece."

The "Jardinière" #3826 was the centerpiece of the service and the most expensive single item in the group.  It required 120 hours to form the item, then more than 270 hours to chase the decoration; the net factory price was $700.  In the time-consuming forming, then expert chasing, the service was engaging the skills that Gorham would call upon a few years later to form their Martelé line.

After the fair, the service was purchased by the Rhinelander family, whose Madison Avenue mansion is now best known as the Polo headquarters.  A soup tureen from the service, possibly the only other known piece, was sold Christie's, New York, 23 May 2006, lot 34.