
Codie Lyons
Associate Specialist
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Sold for US$16,562.50 inc. premium
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Associate Specialist
Following England's Arts and Crafts movement, Gorham departed from the commercialized, machine-made objects, introducing a new style: Martelé. The limited hand-wrought line was active from 1896 to the 1930s, under the direction of Gorham's chief executive Edward Holbrook and chief designer William Codman.
The pieces were hand crafted in the Art Nouveau style with a hammered finish; the French word martelé meaning 'hammered'. This was possible by using a softer and more pure metal than the sterling standard. Because they were hand crafted, no two piece can be the same.
First shown at a New York exhibition in 1897 and internationally at the 1900 Paris Exposition, the pieces achieved great praise.