posted 04-25-2013 02:37 PM            

1. Date? The set has Gorham marks, the model number--210--and an additional number that I think indicates which piece (here it's 5 for the teapot), but no date marks or "sterling." It is a lower model number than my other Gorham spherical tea set, the one with bird legs, which is model 250. I have seen models 211 and 212 here and there online--they are very similar to this set, but they have medallions or classical faces on the handles, which are very slightly different in form, and different finials.

(Here's an example of Pattern 211: Gorham Manufacturing Company )

My guess is that this troll-face set is from the same period as my bird-leg set, the mid-1860s. Anyone disagree?

posted 04-25-2013 02:43 PM            

Sugar bowl handle:

The gargoyle teapot with the bird-foot teapot:

Agleopar speculated that this is a rare set because who would want to buy a tea set with troll faces on it? (Besides, of course, me!) The only other mention I could find of this pattern is on the forums--apparently this guy has the coffeepot: Coin Silver Gorham Coffee Pot

posted 04-25-2013 05:04 PM            

(Also,could the "troll" guy be a satyr? It was a fairly common motif, but then again, designers seemed to take a lot of license with classical figures!)

posted 04-25-2013 05:39 PM            

Yes, I have been wondering whether those curves on the side of the heads are ears, horns, or some sort of abstract neo-rococo curlicues. A satyr's horns might explain them. But if it's satyrs, I would want to see hoofs.

The spout is plain, with a bit of scrolling at the tip. It seems to be the standard spout for Gorham's spherical patterns. Here's a closer look, with the satyr teapot on the left: