This month, we are featuring a lovely sterling silver tureen. I cannot believe that in all the years I have walked through our showroom, I have missed this incredible piece of silver. The tureen is 15 3/8” long, 12 1/8” high, and 9 1/4” wide. It holds an incredible 20 cups and weighs 92.03 troy ounces.

The tureen was commissioned by the E. Jaccard Company. Our research leads us to believe that the piece was produced by Gorham sometime after 1865. However, we are not entirely sure about the manufacturer. The tureen has an incredible allover hand-chased design which features a detailed study of a butterfly. The handles are gargoyle heads and the lid is adorned with a magnificent stag. When Replacements, Ltd. discovered the piece, one of the antlers had broken. We took the tureen to our highly trained and qualified professionals in silver restoration. They were able to repair and restore the antler to its original condition. The tureen’s design, featuring insects, flowers, and an eclectic combination of gargoyles and wildlife is indicative of the time period during which it was made.

The Gilded Age in America is defined by economic expansion, robber-barons, and reconstruction of the South. The term “gilded age,” meaning “an age covered in gold” was first termed by Mark Twain. The period coincides with the Victorian era in England. Both periods are remembered as being “too good to be true.” Propriety reigned supreme. Later in history, the Gilded and Victorian periods would be remembered by poverty, government corruption, drug abuse, and sex scandals. E. Jaccard was established in St. Louis, Missouri during the “gilded age” in American history. During this period, the wealthiest people in our nation displayed their wealth in the most ostentatious manner. In 1864, E. Jaccard merged with A.S. Mermod. Mermod and Jaccard were a huge success and quickly opened satellite locations in Paris, Vienna, London, Birmingham, and Sheffield. In 1904, Mermod and Jaccard designed the medals for the 1904 Olympics.

This tureen is indeed incredible and well worth a visit to our showroom and museum in person. We’d love to have you come to our facility to see this incredible museum piece, as well a huge selection of sterling silver that is available for purchase! Our Showroom and Museum are open from 9:00am to 7:00pm ET, 7 days (except holidays). The Showroom and Museum are conveniently located between Greensboro and Burlington, NC, at exit 132 off Interstate 85/40. We look forward to seeing you!