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The Gorham Manufacturing Company is one of the
largest American manufacturers of sterling and silverplate and
a foundry for bronze sculpture.
Gorham Silver was founded in Providence, Rhode
Island, in 1831 by Jabez Gorham, a master craftsman, in partnership
with Henry L. Webster. Coin Silver spoons were the firm's Chief
product. The company also made combs, thimbles, jewelry, and
other small items. Congress enacted a tariff which effectively
blocked the importation of silverware from outisde the United
States in 1842, which helped the American silver industry. Jabez
Gorham did not take full advantage of this opportunity, but in
1847 Jabez retired and his son, John Gorham succeeded him as
head of the company. John Gorham introduced mechanized production
methods, enlarged the premises in downtown Providence, improved
the designs, and expanded the product line. During the heyday
of American silver manufacturing, approximately 1850-1940, Gorham
was highly influential. William C. Codman, one of Gorham's most
noted designers, created the Chantilly design in 1895, has become
the most famous of Gorham's flatware patterns. The White House
has used Gorham silver services during many administrations.
Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant asked Gorham to commemorate the country's
one-hundredth anniversary. The George W. Bush family chose Gorham's
Chantilly as the flatware service on Air Force One.
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