A three-piece coffee set in sterling silver and ebony by American maker Gorham, circa 1956. The service which was designed by Philip B. Johnson is Gorham's 'Directional' pattern which perfectly demonstrates the influence of biomorphic aesthetics in 1950s American silver and was first produced in 1955. Manufactured by perhaps the most famous American silversmithing firm, Gorham first behan operation in 1831 and continued manufacturing silver right through to the 21st Century. The bottom of the creamer is marked '5/8 PINT' and the coffee pot '2 7/8 PINT' which indicates their volume. The set presents well and other than some surface scratches which are seen on all pieces of sterling silver, the three pieces are in excellent condition, ready for use just as they were in 1956.
A 1958 advertisement featuring the 'Directional' coffee set can be seen in Jewel Stern's, Modernism in American Silver: 20th Century Design, Dallas Museum of Art, 2005, pp. 220-223.
Marked - full hallmarks for Gorham, pattern numbers & 'STERLING'
Dimensions - 22cm H (coffee pot)
Total weight of set - 1096 grams