Gorham Aesthetic Movement Sterling Mixed-Metal Box with Lizard and Mice, 1883

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Gorham Aesthetic Movement Sterling Mixed-Metal Box with Lizard and Mice, 1883

Dimensions: 3.5" W × 2.5" D × 1.5" H
… Read more Gorham Aesthetic Movement Sterling Mixed-Metal Box with Lizard and Mice, 1883

Dimensions: 3.5" W × 2.5" D × 1.5" H
Materials: Copper with applied silver decoration
Marks: Gorham, date letter “P” for 1883

A finely crafted American Aesthetic Movement mixed-metal box by Gorham, executed in copper with sculptural silver appliqué. The domed lid features a dynamic lizard in high relief, accompanied by two playful mice in motion, all arranged above a silvered ground with grasses and textured earth. The decoration is set asymmetrically against the warm copper body, leaving generous areas of polished surface that highlight the contrast between metals. The interior is left plain, showing use consistent with age.

The imagery reflects the strong influence of Japanese Meiji-era design on Gorham in the late 19th century. Themes of small animals and naturalistic vignettes were drawn directly from Japanese art, where lizards were regarded as symbols of protection and renewal, and mice were associated with quickness, fertility, and in some contexts, good fortune. Together, they create a whimsical narrative of pursuit, rendered with wit and naturalistic detail.

This work exemplifies the Aesthetic Movement credo of “Art for Art’s Sake,” emphasizing beauty, asymmetry, and nature study over traditional allegory. Gorham’s mixed-metal line, developed in the wake of the 1876 Centennial Exposition, sought to rival Tiffany & Co. in innovation and design, producing decorative objects that were both functional and avant-garde.

Comparable Gorham copper and silver boxes of this period have achieved strong results at auction, particularly with lively animal subjects. This example, with its rare narrative scene, represents an exceptional survival of Gorham’s Japoniste experimentation. See less