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Article: Gorham's "white gold" flatware.
- Article from:
- The Magazine Antiques
- Article date:
- September 1, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 Brant Publications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Elephant ivory has long been coveted for its inherent beauty, natural resilience, and its capability of being finely carved. Homer mentions it often, in the Old Testament one hears of Solomon's throne of ivory, and Roman senators also sat on seats of ivory. (1) So highly prized as to be dubbed "white gold," ivory's special qualities make it ideal for use as handles for cutlery, and carved ivory handles on knives and forks were popular in northern Europe from the early Middle Ages. (2) Although flatware with ivory handles was imported into the United States from Europe during colonial times and thereafter, no such domestically produced wares are known until the ...