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Lot Essay
Gorham lists this model for an ice bowl as no. 125 and it was first introduced on April 15, 1870 at the manufacturing cost of $81.96. Gorham made several different ice bowls; however, this model was the most popular and best-selling.
The iconography of this ice bowl relates to the 1867 purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Also at this time, the Bostonian, Frederic Tudor (1783-1864) developed the technology to harvest, market, and sell ice to an affluent client base. Ice was a luxury in the late 19th century, and these silver bowls reflected its value and prestige. (See Samuel J. Hough, "The Class of 1870: Gorham Sterling Ice Bowls," Silver Magazine, September-October 1989, pp. 30-33).
The iconography of this ice bowl relates to the 1867 purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Also at this time, the Bostonian, Frederic Tudor (1783-1864) developed the technology to harvest, market, and sell ice to an affluent client base. Ice was a luxury in the late 19th century, and these silver bowls reflected its value and prestige. (See Samuel J. Hough, "The Class of 1870: Gorham Sterling Ice Bowls," Silver Magazine, September-October 1989, pp. 30-33).