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Silver-robed figure with flowing hair and gold wings holds a draping garland with one cherub on her back, holding the end of the garland while the other blows a horn.
Bottom view of sculptural silver form with mirror-like curved reflective surfaces, rounded ends, ornate swirls, and a recessed rectangular base.
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  • Profile view of elaborate silver double-oval centerpiece with swirling arms extending to two shallow side-dishes, with central fountain-like stem topped by classical figurines, all on a rectangular tray pedestal.
  • Profile view of elaborate silver double-oval centerpiece with swirling arms extending to two shallow side-dishes and central fountain-like stem topped by classical figurines, all on a rectangular tray pedestal.
  • Elaborate silver double-oval-tray centerpiece with central fountain-like stem topper of winged-figurine holding up a suspended gold garland, surrounded by cherubs, and framed by swirling arms extending to two shallow dishes.
  • Close-up of a silver figure in robes with a thin gold sash and flowing, wavy hair entangled in her fingers and an arcing gold, rosy, leafy garland crossing her face.
  • A silver oval relief panel depicting a central flowing-robed woman surrounded by playful cherubs and swirling drapery, enclosed in a gold-trimmed frame attached to a tray elevated by ornate legs.
  • Silver-robed figure with flowing hair and gold wings holds a draping garland with one cherub on her back, holding the end of the garland while the other blows a horn.
  • Detail of silver cherub with wings gazing upwards with outstretched arms and wavy hair, kneeling with one knee up at the base of a curved silver surface with floral design.
  • A silver figure with golden wings holds her wavy, tangled hair with one hand and a long gold garland aloft in the other hand with trumpet-blowing cherubs around her.
  • Back view of a detailed silver cherub with small gold wings, one arm grasping a gold leaf garland while perched upon a larger winged, robed figure decorated with stars.
  • Detail of a golden bird with short beak and outstretched wings perched as if ready to fly upon  silver wheat stalks decorating an ornate scroll.
  • Close-up of a silver oval relief panel depicting a central flowing-robed woman surrounded by playful cherubs and swirling drapery, enclosed in a gold-trimmed frame.
  • The backside of a silver cherub with curly hair, gold wings, and robes in the background of a larger silver-robed figure with gold wings holding a garland in the foreground.
  • The backside of a silver cherub with curly hair, small gold feathered wings and robes in sharp focus behind a blurred silver figure in the foreground.
  • A silver cherub with gold wings, wavy hair, mouth open, and arms outstretched holds the end of a gold leafy garland, perched upon a larger silver-robed figure.
  • Detail of golden bird with long two-part tail and long, thin curved beak perched on an ornate silver decorative scroll attached to a shallow dish above a winged cherub figure.
  • Elaborate silver double-oval-tray centerpiece with central winged-figurine holding up a gold garland with two cherubs, framed by swirling arms extending to two shallow dishes, all elevated on four ornate legs.
  • Side view of a silver-robed figure with flowing hair and thin, butterfly-like gold wings holding a draping garland aloft with two cherubs atop a gold orb.
  • Elaborate silver double-oval-tray centerpiece with central winged-figurine holding up a gold garland with two cherubs, framed by swirling arms extending to two shallow dishes, all elevated on four ornate legs.
  • Detail of golden bird with long two-part tail and long curved beak perched on an ornate silver decorative scroll attached to a shallow dish above a partially visible figure’s face.
  • Close-up of the back view of a silver cherub with wavy hair, small, golden wings, draped sash over small chubby legs, and right arm extended.
  • A silver oval relief panel depicting a central flowing-robed woman surrounded by playful cherubs and swirling drapery, enclosed in a gold-trimmed frame attached to a tray elevated by ornate legs.
  • A silver figure with golden wings holds her wavy, tangled hair with one hand and a long gold garland aloft in the other hand with trumpet-blowing cherubs around her.
  • Back view of a silver cherub with curly hair and small, gold wings, one arm holding the end of gold garland while perched up a star-studded robed figure.
  • Elaborate silver double-oval-tray centerpiece with central winged-figurine holding up a gold garland, surrounded by cherubs, and framed by swirling arms extending to two shallow dishes, all elevated on four legs.
  • A close-up of a silver oval relief panel depicting a robed man surrounded by cherubs, vines, and swirling drapery, enclosed in a gold-trimmed frame attached to an elevated tray.
  • Back view of a silver-robed figure with flowing hair and thin, gold, insect-like, leaf-textured wings holds a draping garland aloft with two cherubs atop a gold orb.
  • Elaborate silver double-oval-tray centerpiece with central winged-figurine holding up a gold garland with two cherubs, framed by swirling arms extending to two shallow dishes, all elevated on four ornate legs.
  • Elaborate silver double-oval-tray centerpiece with central winged-figurine holding up a gold garland, surrounded by cherubs, and framed by swirling arms extending to two shallow dishes, all elevated on four legs.
  • Back view of a silver centerpiece with three oval gold-lined trays and a winged central figurine elevated on a small orb pedestal holding a garland aloft, all elevated on four ornate legs.
  • Detail of silver cherub gazing upwards with outstretched arms wearing a short, draped cloth, kneeling with one knee up at the base of a curved silver surface.
  • Elaborate silver double-oval-tray centerpiece with central fountain-like stem topper of winged-figurine holding up a suspended gold garland, surrounded by cherubs, framed by swirling arms extending to two shallow dishes.
  • A silver oval relief panel depicting a robed man surrounded by cherubs and vines and swirling drapery, enclosed in a gold-trimmed frame attached to a tray elevated by ornate legs.
  • A cherub with small gold, feathered wings holds the end of a leafy garland, perched upon a larger silver-robed figure with butterfly-like gold wings.
  • Angled side-view of elaborate silver double-oval centerpiece with swirling arms extending to two shallow side-dishes, with central fountain-like stem topped by classical figurines, all on a rectangular tray pedestal.
  • Close-up of a detailed silver figure in robes with flowing, wavy hair entangled in her fingers, holding up a gold, leafy garland with embedded roses across her face.
  • A cherub with small gold, feathered wings holds the end of a leafy garland, perched upon a larger silver-robed figure with butterfly-like gold wings.
  • Silver-robed figure with flowing hair and gold wings holds a garland with one cherub holding the end of the garland and the other blowing a horn atop an orb pedestal.
  • Silver-robed figure with flowing hair and gold wings holds a garland aloft with one cherub holding the end of the garland and the other blowing a horn atop an orb.
  • Detail of silver cherub in a leafy crown with small gold wings gazing upwards with outstretched arms, kneeling with one knee up at the base of a curved silver surface.
  • Side view of a silver centerpiece with three oval gold-lined trays and a winged central figurine elevated on a small orb pedestal holding a garland aloft, all elevated on four ornate legs.
  • Close-up of a silver oval relief panel depicting a central flowing-robed man surrounded by cherubs, vines, and swirling drapery, enclosed in a gold-trimmed frame.
  • Elaborate silver double-oval-tray centerpiece with central winged-figurine holding up a gold garland with two cherubs, framed by swirling arms extending to two shallow dishes, all elevated on four legs.
  • Detail of a golden bird with short beak and outstretched wings perched as if ready to fly from  silver wheat stalks decorating an ornate scroll.
  • Robed silver figurine with flowing hair and thin gold wings holding a draped gold garland aloft, flanked by cherubs blowing horns atop an orb-like pedestal against a dark background.
  • Bottom view of sculptural silver form with mirror-like curved reflective surfaces, rounded ends, ornate swirls, and a recessed rectangular base.

Thomas Pairpoint

Epergne

Maker

Thomas Pairpoint (American, 1838-1902), designer
Gorham Manufacturing Company (American, 1831-present), manufacturer

Title

Epergne
Furber Service

Year

1872

Medium

  • Silver with gilding

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

  • Silver with gilding

Materials

gilding, reflective glass, sterling silver

Geography

Place Made: Providence; Place Made: Rhode Island

Dimensions

65 x 90 x 54.5 cm (25 9/16 x 35 7/16 x 21 7/16 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Marks: Marked: [lion] [anchor] G / STERLING / 965 / E.
Inscribed: EIF.

Credit / Object Number

Credit

The Gorham Collection. Gift of Textron Inc.

Object Number

1991.126.80

Type

  • Metalwork

Publications

  • Books

Gorham Silver. Selections from the Gift of Textron Inc.

  • Books

Selected Works

  • Books

Gorham Silver Designing Brilliance 1850-1970

Exhibition History

Gorham Silver
Designing Brilliance 1850-1970
May 03, 2019 – Dec 01, 2019
Making It In America
Oct 11, 2013 – Feb 09, 2014

Label copy

Elizabeth A. Williams, curator of decorative arts: Drawing the best of everything from around the globe, world’s fairs allowed companies to display their finest work in the hope of garnering international acclaim. It was at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia that the Gorham Manufacturing Company made its major-exposition debut with stunning works including this epergne, or table centerpiece.

Lead designer Thomas Pairpoint deftly combined motifs from the popular Renaissance Revival style, showing scenes of the Roman sea god Neptune. This monumental piece is also decorated with an adaptation of the equestrian frieze from the Greek Parthenon, as well as truly American iconography. This includes Columbia, the female personification of the United States, who reigns over all.

Joost During, silversmith: Look closely at the plaque in front and note the very subtle but beautiful texture on the skin of the four figures. The direction and depth of this texture define and enhance the shape of their bodies. As a silversmith, I love looking at work done by other metalsmiths, especially when they are as talented as those who worked at Gorham in its heyday. These were not only incredible craftsmen, but also great artists in their own right. The designers who imagined this kind of piece on paper relied heavily on the craftsmen they worked with to bring their vision to life. For me, it is very exciting to see such an excellent example of cooperation between several people with different but amazing skills.

The Furber Service

Made for Chicago businessman Henry Jewett Furber, the Neptune Epergne is one of 740 pieces of silver made to serve 24 people. Most likely the largest commission received by the Gorham Manufacturing Company, the service was produced between 1873 and 1879. Although many of the pieces were made in the Renaissance Revival style seen in the epergne, the Furber service is a visual testimony to the confidence of Gorham’s designers in freely appropriating and boldly combining styles from different eras and cultures, including those of ancient Egyptian and Japan.

After Eden
The Rise and Reform of American Art, 1840-1910
Apr 26, 1996 – Dec 29, 1996

Related Objects

Thomas Pairpoint

Plateau

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Thomas Pairpoint (American, 1838-1902), designer
Gorham Manufacturing Company (American, 1831-present), manufacturer
Epergne; Furber Service, 1872
Silver with gilding
65 x 90 x 54.5 cm (25 9/16 x 35 7/16 x 21 7/16 inches)
The Gorham Collection. Gift of Textron Inc. 1991.126.80

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