Antique Hallmarked Gorham Heavy Sterling Cup Decorated Base & Applied Handle
Description: A nice large and heavy sterling silver cup. The cup has a round base and slightly curved rising sides ending in a shaped rim. The cup also has an applied handle scroll decoration and incised lines at the spot where the handle meets the cup on top. The bottom of the cup is decorated with a raised repeating and rather elaborate design in the form of a band that is almost 1" wide. The cup is rather heavy weighing 147 grams or ~5.6 Troy Ounces and is ~3 1/4" high with a diameter of ~3" at the base precluding this cup from being a baby cup since it is too large and heavy to be one. The cup has the 20th century marking for Gorham but has no date mark suggesting the cup is from 1930s. The cup is marked on the bottom with a lion passant, anchor, and the letter G with word Sterling below it and the number 3686 then the letter P (date mark for 1883) below it all. There is also the letters XIV lightly engraved on the opposite end of the base. The cup is in excellent state of preservation and looks absolutely great. It would make a nice addition to your collection. Please carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: Uncertain but most likely 1880's.
Origin: Purchased at an estate auction in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Size: The cup measures ~3" diameter at the top, ~3 1/4" high to the top rim, ~3" diameter at the base, and is ~4 3/8" wide including the handle. The piece weighs about 174 grams or a slightly over 5.6 troy ounces.
Maker: Gorham Manufacturing Company.
Marks: The cup has marks on the bottom of the base as follows: a lion passant, anchor, and the letter G with word Sterling below it and the number 3686 then the letter P below it all (an alert eBayer indicated that the P is the date mark for 1883). There are also the letters XIV lightly engraved on the opposite end of the base (see 8th photo at the bottom).
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: A truly nice piece which deserves a good spot in any Sterling Silver collection. Please see photos to appreciate the beauty of the piece.
Condition: The piece is in very good condition. The cup has no break, or repairs. It does have a few scratches and some minor dings to the bottom and top edges. These are very small and truly do not affect the beauty and quality of the piece. This is a solid, intact, and great looking cup, which would make a good addition to your collection. Please see photo for additional condition information.
