Gorham Silver Punch Bowl, ca. 1901
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GUEST:
It's a silver punch bowl that was owned by the Hallett family. He was one of the founders of the Smuggler Mine, which is a big silver mine up there, which was what turned Aspen into what it is today.
APPRAISER:
It's a silver punch bowl that was owned by the Hallett family, which was one of the very prominent early families when Colorado first became a state just prior to the turn of the century. He was one of the founders of the Smuggler Mine in Aspen, which is the big silver mine up there which was, of course, what got Aspen going and turned it into what it is today. Is there an inscription that you want to read, or can you read for us?
GUEST:
It says, "Mr. and Mrs. Hallett. "Presented by the employees of the Smuggler Mining Company May 1st, 1901."
APPRAISER:
Okay, and do you have any idea where it was made? Presumably the silver would come from the Smuggler Mine, but where it was made is a mystery. Well, what's interesting is the very typical Art Nouveau decor from that time period. You have the poppies and the scrolling foliage. Inside, we have a gilt finish. That would have protected the silver from any corrosive substances. And we have Gorham Manufacturing Company as the maker. Now, Gorham Manufacturing Company is based in Providence, Rhode Island, so probably they did mine the silver in Colorado, but at that time, the best silversmiths were back East, so they sent it back to have Gorham make it. And at an auction, this would bring about $4,000 to $5,000.
GUEST:
Really?
APPRAISER:
Yes.
GUEST:
That's surprising.
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