Fine Gorham Sterling Silver "Bacchus" Punch Bowl and Ladle, 1886, Providence, Rhode Island, the bowl of campana form, decorated with a wide band of Bacchus' attendants frolicking among grapevines, framed by beaded banding, with gadrooned rim and large grapevine-mantled Bacchic masque handles, raised above a lobed foot, h. 9-1/4", dia. 13", w. 16", the ladle with engraved bowl, twining grapevine handle and figural seated Bacchus finial, l. 14-1/4", both monogrammed "JCW", 134.71 total t. oz.

Overall Condition: Good. There are five visible areas around the widest part of the body of the punchbowl where dents have been hammered out, the smallest about 1", the largest about 1-3/4", and the interior shows some evidence of some smaller dents having also been repaired. The final "7" of the anniversary inscription "1862 May 4th 1887" has been partially rubbed, presumably during buffing for these repairs. Otherwise, no significant issues noted other than the expected scuffs, scrapes and pips consistent with age and use. Some wear to the relief, but the details are still quite nice. One "tendril" flanking the masques is broken and absent. The ladle has a few light dents on the bowl, and the interior gilding is quite worn, but otherwise fine with nice detail. Both marked (on the underside of the bowl) with the Gorham "lion-anchor-G" trademark, "Sterling" and the Gorham date mark (a Maltese cross) for 1886; the punch bowl additionally with "22355". Marks lightly rubbed but legible.