Gorham Manufacturing Company
Asparagus Tongs

Public Domain

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Maker Gorham Manufacturing CompanyProvidence, Rhode Island, founded 1831

CultureAmerican

Titles

Asparagus Tongs

Datec. 1865–1870

Made inProvidence, Rhode Island, United States

MediumSilver

Dimensions11 5/8 × 1 9/16 × 2 7/8 in. (29.5 × 4 × 7.3 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Jas A. Gundry

Object numberB.99.14

Current Location

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Metals Study Room

On view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

METALWORK

DescriptionDuring the second half of the 1800s, a wider range of foods became available to Americans and dining rituals became more elaborate, creating a desire for more specialized silver forms for serving and eating. These asparagus tongs, decorated with female busts and delicate piercing, demonstrate American silver manufacturers’ robust response to this growing demand.
ProvenanceJas A. Gundry, Houston; given to MFAH, 1999.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

[no inscriptions]

Stamped inside arm: lion, anchor, old English G [incuse]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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