Rare Pair of Gorham Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Overlay Perfume Bottles, C.1900

A distinguished pair of antique American Art Nouveau perfume bottles produced by the Gorham Manufacturing Company of Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1900. Executed in hand-blown glass with richly detailed sterling silver overlay, they are fine examples of the elegant decorative objects produced during the height of the Art Nouveau period.

The pair comprises two matching globular bottles retaining their original ground-glass ball stoppers. One is made in deep emerald green glass, the other in brilliant clear crystal. Both are ornamented with finely pierced sterling silver overlay depicting flowing foliate ornament and graceful whiplash scrolls, motifs closely associated with Art Nouveau design at the turn of the twentieth century.

Founded in 1831, Gorham established an international reputation for the quality of its sterling silver and luxury tablewares. Around 1900 the company expanded its artistic production with silver overlay glass, a technique requiring exceptional precision as each silver mount was individually fitted to the blown glass body before final finishing by hand.

An attractive feature of the clear crystal bottle is its unengraved heraldic cartouche, preserved exactly as originally supplied and suitable for the addition of a personalised monogram should a future owner wish. The silver overlay is stamped in relief "D906", most likely pattern reference.

Both original ground-glass ball stoppers fit correctly and retain their matching sterling silver overlays.

Dimensions:

Emerald green bottle: Weight: 73 g

Height: 9.5 cm

Diameter: 5.1 cm

Clear crystal bottle: Weight: 88 g

Height: 9.3 cm

Diameter: 5.1 cm

Condition:

Both perfume bottles remain in excellent antique condition. The green bottle is free from damage. The clear bottle has cracks in the glass at the neck; please see the photographs. They have been carefully glued and are barely visible beneath the silver overlay.

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. It is important to note that shipping costs include labour, packaging and postage.