Rococo Revival Style Mixed Metal Copper & Silver Humidor, Atrib. Gorham, 1870

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Gorham (Attributed) Mixed Metal Humidor with Silver Overlay in Rococo Revival Style, Dated 1870
United States, circa 1870
9.5" W … Read more Gorham (Attributed) Mixed Metal Humidor with Silver Overlay in Rococo Revival Style, Dated 1870
United States, circa 1870
9.5" W × 5.75" D × 2.5" H (Interior: 9" W × 5.25" D × 2" H)
Marked “C” for 1870 and numbered “182.”

Rococo Revival Style Mixed Metal Copper & Silver Humidor, Attrib. Gorham

A richly ornamented and exceptionally rare mixed-metal humidor, attributed to Gorham Manufacturing Company, featuring a copper body with intricately overlaid silver decoration in the Rococo Revival taste. The box is dated by the Gorham “C” date letter to 1870 and bears the stamped model number “182.”

The lid and sides are elaborately decorated with classical arabesques, trelliswork panels, palmettes, and scrolling acanthus forms in repoussé and acid-etched silver, surrounding a central cartouche bearing a beautifully hand-engraved monogram, which appears to be a triple script monogram in elaborate interlaced lettering. Based on the style and visual analysis, the letters are likely

"M R "B"—with the central letter R possibly being the surname initial, flanked by M and B as given names (or vice versa depending on convention).

The exuberant pattern, with its mirrored scrolls and botanical flourishes, evokes the rich tradition of 18th-century French ornament, filtered through the American Aesthetic Movement's taste for mixed materials and surface brilliance.

The interior is lined in original Spanish cedar and retains a pierced silver humidifying grille mounted to the inside lid, making this not only an opulent object but also a functional humidor—ideal for storing cigars, cherished correspondence, or desk items. The construction and engraved detailing suggest workshop origins consistent with Gorham's early custom-order silver studio production.

Whether used as a statement desk box or displayed as a piece of Gilded Age artistry, this box embodies the high craftsmanship and stylistic exuberance of American decorative arts in the post-Civil War era.

Condition: Minor oxidation and age-appropriate wear to metal surfaces; silver overlay remains intact and striking. The interior is clean, with expected signs of light use.

Provenance: Private American collection.

A luxurious object of dual utility and high aesthetic refinement—perfect for collectors of antique silver, cigar accoutrements, or exceptional desk accessories. See less