A rare and early American gilded silver and plique-a-jour enamel bowl, Gorham Manufacturing Company, Providence, Rhode Island, 1893. The footed bowl, or tazza, with everted rim and domed foot made completely of transparent, plique-a-jour enamel with scroll and floral motifs in shades of yellow, turquoise, red, green and blue, the underside of the base of the bowl with a small gilded silver plaque struck with makers mark, Gorham date mark for 1893, STERLING, and 5663, the catalogue design number. 1405-005. Dimensions: 2 7/8 in. h x 6 1/4 in. diam. (7.3 x 15.8 cm) Gorham premiered the firm's first works in transparent, or plique-a-jour, enamel in 1893 at the Worlds Columbian Exposition in Chicago, undoubtedly to compete with the success of Russian, Austrian, and Norwegian silversmith-enamellers whose works had dominated the market for the previous decade. The appearance of an American example delighted American critics, including George Frederick Kunz, the prominent gemologist and mineralogist employed by Tiffany & Co.: "Among the most charming and novel features of the Gorham exhibit are a number of examples of translucent enamels worked on silver fret-work. The gem of the collection is a cup of fine blues, which will stand comparison with the best work of the Russian originals of this kind of art." George Frederick Kunz, "Notes on Industrial Art in the Manufactures Building," Cosmopolitan volume 15, no. 5 (September 1893), p. 554.

Overall very good condition, some small wear consistent with age and use.