Eight Pieces of Gorham "Japanese" Sterling Silver Flatware

the pattern designed in 1871, Providence, Rhode Island, including a berry spoon, l. 9-1/2", a master butter knife, l. 6-7/8", and six teaspoons, l. 5-3/4", variously monogrammed on the reverse.
9.03 total t. oz.

Notes: Gorham's "Japanese" pattern is one of the company's rarest and most sought-after. Although the design does not appear to have been patented, it was almost certainly created by Gorham's chief designer George Wilkinson (1819-1894). It included five different basic handle motifs, which were further enhanced by variant embellishment. (For instance, one teaspoon in the present lot has an up-turned handle with "pagoda" finial, in contrast to the down-turned, triangular finial of the others; note also the parcel gilding on the berry spoon).