Very Rare Gorham Coin Presentation Water Pitcher 

American, ca 1862. A very rare coin silver presentation piece presented to a Gorham employee by his colleagues on the occasion of his retirement from the firm, in the form of a water pitcher adorned with chased floral and vine motifs, a putto atop the handle, and a merchild below the spout and above the inscription Presented to / Lewis Dexter Jr./ A Token of Regard / From the Workmen in the employ of / Gorham & Co. / on his retiring from the firm / Prov. June, 1862., marked on the underside Gorham & Co. / Coin ; ht. 11.25 in., silver wt. 41.72ozt (1297.5g).

Gorham is a leading name in the history of silver production. Jabez Gorham started out as a jewelry maker before transitioning to silver goods. He was a part of various partnerships until his retirement in 1841 when he sold the business to Henry L. Webster. Webster soon decided to sell the business back to Gorham, but Gorham would only agree to the purchase if his son John joined him, forming J. Gorham & Son. The new partnership was a booming success, but in 1847 the elder Gorham once again left the firm. In 1850 the younger Gorham partnered with his cousin Gorham Thurber and the firm's name changed to Gorham & Thurber until 1852 when they invited their cousin, Lewis Dexter Jr., to join the firm. After Dexter joined the firm, the name was changed to Gorham & Co.

Under the leadership of the three cousins, the firm continued to thrive and expand, implementing mechanized production processes that allowed them to be leaders in the industry, especially in the production of hollowware and flatware. It stands to reason that given Dexter's important role in the firm, his colleagues would only have presented him with a piece of the highest quality and finest craftsmanship.