Brand Guide
Gorham Manufacturing
Founded 1831 · Providence
Signature Collections
Martelé (The Hammered Line)
1897-1930sThe pinnacle of American Art Nouveau silver. Each piece was individually hand-raised from a flat sheet of silver and hammered into flowing organic forms. This was America's answer to top-tier European craftsmanship.
Authentication Guide
Hallmarks
- ◆Martelé items are stamped 'GORHAM', flanked by the lion, anchor, and 'G'.
- ◆Crucially marked '999.5 FINE' or similar high-purity marks, because sterling was too hard to hand-hammer this way.
What to Look For
- ✓The hammer marks. They should be visible, deliberate, and part of the aesthetic finish.
- ✓Incredibly fluid, organic lines representing flora and waves.
Red Flags
- ✗Pieces marked 'Sterling' that claim to be Martelé. Martelé is almost always higher purity Britannia or pure silver.
- ✗Machine-stamped repoussé passed off as hand-chased. Martelé was entirely handcrafted.
Price Ranges
Best value era: 1900-1910 Art Nouveau era
What Dealers Look For
Gorham made a ton of standard sterling, but Martelé is the holy grail. Know the difference.
Because Martelé is 999.5 to 950 fine silver, it's softer than sterling. Check carefully for dents or clumsy repairs.
The visible hammer marks ('martelé' is French for hammered) are the point. Don't polish them out.
Standard Gorham sterling from the late 19th century is a great, accessible entry point into collecting fine American silver.
Always check the date codes. Gorham used standard year marks that make dating precise and satisfying.
Frequently Asked Questions
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