A large silver pitcher by Gorham Manufacturing Co.

decorated with freshwater fish including a pike and a carp in twisted motion amongst swirling and scrolling waves in
the Japanese taste, the handle in the form of a dragon with clawed feet.  Providence,.1881. Gorham Manufacturing
Company, founded in Providence, Rhode Island in 1831, benefited from the fresh impetus it was given when it was
taken over by the founder’s son John Gorham (1820-1898) in 1847.  The firm which began with the production of
spoons and small silver articles was transformed by Gorham’s introduction of mechanical manufacturing processes, and
the decision to take on several European designers.  The firm’s first adaptations of Japanese motifs engraved on
silver date from 1869.  However it was after 1877 that it concentrated on Japanese metalworking techniques, producing
hammered silver wares applied with a range of decorative motifs. Cast bronze cutlery inspired by Japanese
kozuka followed in around 1880, and copper wares were introduced a year later, ranging from warm red to
dark brown in colour, applied with patinated silver motifs. Lucien Falize praised the boldness of the ‘dazzling note of
red’ in their display at the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris, where the firm was awarded a gold medal. 

  The depiction of the waves in the pitcher derives from the daunting and ferocious waters
represented in woodblock prints such a no.158, while the dragon derives from images of such
creatures in Hokusai’s Manga as well as from sculptures in bronze and silver.

Weight: 1036 grams
Height to rim: 21cm

Exhibited:

Japonisme: from Falize to Fabergé, the Goldsmith and Japan,
Wartski, 2011, number 159.