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The set is an old example of the Versailles
pattern. The handles are elaborately decorated with the “gods”
and “goddesses” from Ancient Greek Mythology, leaf, scroll and
shell designs in Art Nouveau style.
Marked with “Lion, Anchor, G” and
“STERLING”
Gorham's Versailles multi-motif pattern was first introduced in 1888. Indeed, this is absolutely top notch and the most desirable sterling flatware that have ever been made., because of its stunning ornate and intricate detailed designs. The pattern demonstrates detailed design with at least 25 (!) different handle motifs designed by Antoine Heller, the famous French silversmith and die-cutter from France, joined Gorham in 1881. Before starting his career as the Gorham's chief designer (1881-1904), Heller was a designer and master die-cutter in Tiffany & Co (1870-1880). His work is generally thought to reflect the Beaux Arts style - a very rich, lavish and heavily ornamented classical style of carefully thought out schemes, motifs, and designs that drew from the French and Italian Renaissance, and Neoclassical periods. In the later portion of his career at Gorham, Heller’s designs have a sense of Art Nouveau curves and swirls and stand in strong contrast to his other work.
The Versailles pattern embellishes the French history of Lois XIV along with the beauty and royalty of the gorgeous Versailles Palace that is located about ten miles out-side of Paris. In the 1888 Gorham's catalogue briefly described a history of the creation of the Palace and offered a look into the magnificent but depraved court life under its successive occupants, Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI. When Versailles was first introduced, it was a full line pattern (more than 150 different pieces!) with intricately shell bowl designs for many of the serving and regular pieces and “COPYRIGHTED” (1888-1899 period) /“COPYRIGHTED'88” marks (1900-1901) or/and with weight marks (e.g. “H”, “V”, “O”, “K” stamped till 1910) for all of them. In later production (after 1910), most of these esoteric pieces were no longer produced. Over time, some of the handle motifs were changed on pieces where the dies were no longer usable. Circa 1910, the shall shape motif on implement ends began to change to a more plain shape and progressed even more drastically to a different style.
Maker: GORHAM
Pattern: Versailles, 1888
Country of origin: USA
Composition: Sterling Silver (925-1000)
Size: 5 7/8"