Antique, Art Nouveau Ideal olive server combination fork / spoon. Narragansett pattern made by the Gorham silver company, from Rhode Island. Produced from 1884.

11 1/4 inches long. Weighs 62.8 grams.

Very rare Gorham serving piece. Known as the Ideal olive server, it looks ideal for serving seafood from mussels to caviar.

The Narragansett pattern was named for the Native American tribe of that name, who lived in the same area of Rhode Island as the location of the Gorham silver

company. The pattern was intended to celebrate the natural life of the area. It is clearly influenced by the Japanese and Art Nouveau influences of the time. <P>
The serving piece consists of a long, cast handle. Naturalistically formed as a branch with textured detail. One terminal has a muscle shell shaped spoon, the other

a trident (think Neptune) fork - highly textured and naturalistic, like a branched coral. The back of the spoon is marvellously detailed, exactly as a real sea shell

would be and has barnacles of smaller shells and a fish applied to the join with the handle. The rest of the server is applied with more shells and sea life, from a

marvellous fish, a variety of seashells to coral, seaweed and other marine life. The shells are of different forms and sizes. All highly detailed and naturalistic.

There is a long ribbon of 'seaweed' winding around the entire piece, uniting all the features. Entirely naturalistic modelling of the highest quality.

Hallmarks include the Gorham trademark of G anchor and lion; the word STERLING and the number 273.   <

Very good condition.

Please note that our starting price is exactly half the price being asked elsewhere on the internet for the same item.