74193: A Four-Piece Gorham Mfg. Co. Athenic Pattern Sil

A Four-Piece Gorham Mfg. Co. Athenic Pattern Silver Chocolate Service, Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1900 Marks: Athenic, (lion-anchor-G), STERLING, (various) 13-1x2 x 7-1x4 x 5-1x2 inches (34.3 x 18.4 x 14.0 cm) (tallest, chocolate pot) 3908 grams (125.65 troy ounces) (gross) Inscription: 1878-1903 PROVENANCE: Patricia Ann Black Smyth; From the Collection of a Southern Gentleman. The service comprising: 1 chocolate pot-on-stand; 1 creamer; 1 sugar; 1 tray. 4 Total The chocolate set of baluster-form having pot and creamer with curved and tapered bone handles and sugar bowl with flat horizontal handles from the lip, oval tray with two handles, all engraved and chased with undulating leaves and flowers in the French Art Nouveau style, and engraved to the underside of each piece 1878-1903. The chocolate service was a rare form in turn-of-the-century America, and its rarity compounded when made of silver. Drinking chocolate was a fashionable luxury beverage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Made with imported coca beans, and sugar, its consumption was relegated to the financially well to do. Chocolate pots were typically of elongated shape with a short, pouring spout on the top rim, unlike coffee and tea pots that usually had longer, conical spouts. The short spout allowed the heavier chocolate to settle to the bottom of the vessel with only the part fully mixed with the milk being poured out at the top rim. Like other American silver makers, Gorham made very few chocolate pots, and far fewer services. In fact, Gorham scholar, Charles Carpenter, estimated that out of the approximately 4800 pieces of Martelé ever made, only seven were chocolate pots or sets. (note 1) Similarly, Charles Venable located only a single image of a Martelé chocolate set, which also consists of chocolate pot on stand with a creamer, sugar bowl, and tray. Property from the Collection of a Southern Gentleman HID03101062020 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Condition Report: Lot presents well, with small dents to burner's edge causing kettle to wobble a bit. One scratch to sugar bowl's mid-body. One minute scratch to creamer's spout. Tray features monogram S to center. No losses observed. Heritage Auctions strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Heritage regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Heritage. All lots offered are sold "AS IS"