Gorham Special Order Antique Sterling Silver Sauce Boat with Stand, Providence, RI, 1910
Rarely does one find an original stand to a gravy or sauce boat and this unique Gorham example is spectacular. The stand has an undulating edge with four dramatic shell adorned feet. Swirling foliate Rococo designs decorate the wide outer edge of the tray. The interior platform is plain and engraved with a gothic style 'M' monogram. As with the base, the body and applied foot also have undulating sides and edges. The foot , along with fruit, shell and foliate decoration, have four dolphin mask feet. The upper body has an applied rim to add ornamentation and strength. There are three blank cartouches; one on each side and one on the front. The unusual handle is a spectacular casting of a griffin. The quality of the chasing on these pieces is outstanding. Gorham records indicate the sauce boat and stand had wholesale price of $160.00 in 1910, every bit as expensive as comparable pieces in the Martelé line. This rare sauce boat and stand is marked underneath with Gorham's trademark along with 'THE GORHAM CO./ STERLING.' They are also marked with their special order codes of 'SYJ' and 'SYK'. The tray measures 8.75 inches long by 7 inches wide. The sauce boat measures 8 inches long by 4.25 inches wide by 4.75 inches high to the top of the figure. The set weighs a combined 28.65 troy ounces and is in stunning condition although one cartouche has had a very well done mono removal.