A Pair of Gorham Mfg. Co. Silver and Enamel Cupid, Psyche, & Peacock Vanity Brushes, Providence, Rhode Island, 1900 Marks: (lion-anchor-G), STERLING, C563, C566, (bell) 1-3/8 x 8-1/4 x 3-1/8 inches (3.5 x 21 x 8 cm) (longest, hairbrush) 490 grams (15.7541 troy ounces) (gross) PROVENANCE: Sotheby's, New York, 20th Century Design, 28 March 2008, lot 148 (in part) This pair of hair and clothes brushes was completed as part of a larger dresser set in late fall of 1900. The original suite comprised of at least three brushes, vanity jars, and a mirror. The enameling was completed by George C. Richter, Gorham's master enameller from 1896-1907. The Gorham Archives relates it took 9-1/2 hours to paint the brushes with its fantastical Art Nouveau scenes of Psyche, cupids, peacocks, and other woodland creatures in a surreal and fantastical fairyland. In the same year this set was made, Richter received the silver medal at the 1900 Paris Exposition. The pair of Art nouveau hairbrush and garment brush, patterned with blooming florals, baskets of fruit, eagles, and quivers of Cupid's arrows, swirling acanthus leaves with boarders beaded and braided boarders frame intricately executed enameled motifs of female figures outdoors surrounded by cupids, the silver embossed with birds, baskets of fruit, cornucopias, and floral boughs; marks found on exterior rims of each. HID03101062020 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

In overall good condition; cartouches vividly painted, few minor scattered pin dents to the exterior edge of each brush; very small area of chipping to top of central cartouche to enamel on hair brush; overall presenting very well with wear commensurate of age and use.
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