Aesthetic Ornate Grape Shears -- Sterling Silver by Gorham Silversmiths, Circa 1870

Aesthetic ornate grape shears -- sterling silver by Gorham Silversmiths, circa 1870. Steel reinforcement blades are attached to the sterling blades. Length: 6 1/2"; width, 2 1/2" at handles. Weight: 5.8 troy ounces, approximately. These heavy cast shears were carefully maintained, with all of the intricate detailing still intact. During the heyday of American silver manufacturing, Gorham was highly influential. The White House has used Gorham silver services during many administrations. Mary Todd Lincoln purchased an impressive tea and flatware service for use in the White House in 1859. Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant asked Gorham to commemorate the country's one-hundredth anniversary with a spectacular Century Vase that contained over 2,000 oz (57,000 g) of sterling silver--and in 1899, the company produced a grand "loving cup" composed of 70,000 dimes designed for Admiral George Dewey. Please feel free to e-mail us with any questions, and please see our other listings. We hand polish all items before shipping them out, but if there is interest for a professional polishing and/or engraving removal, we can take care of that for an additional charge and with delayed shipping.