Gorham dish - date? pattern?

[ruthw]

I inherited several pieces of silver and have been obsessed with learning more about them. Thank you for this site!

This dish is clearly made by Gorham and is stamped STERLING. Does the M after the pattern number indicate it is dated 1880?
Any info on the pattern? I have not been able to find another one like it online. Is it a bon bon dish?
What is the craftsmanship method of the design? It is so detailed with little "dots" covering the leaves.

Any info would be much appreciated!

[dragonflywink]

You don't mention a size, but if it's fairly small, in the area of 6 inches - was most likely sold as a bon-bon dish. The technique for the raised decoration is called "repousse": http://www.925-1000.com/silverglossary4.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; The "M" following the number is not a date code, the letter as a suffix to the number is generally an indication of production at Gorham's New York shop, but so far as I know, the "M" pieces have not really been identified at this point. By mark and appearance, suspect your piece most likely dates around the turn of the century (give or take a few years) - looks to be an orchid motif, that might help in looking for comparables.

~Cheryl

[ruthw]

Thank you Cheryl! So I guess that means that even though Gorham instituted date marks in 1868 that not all pieces are marked with a date mark?
The item measures 9.3/4" across total, with the inner dish measuring 4.5" across. Does that make it too big to be a bonbon dish?
Thank you for the link to the glossary - how did I miss that? ;-) I think the term I was looking for is Pounced - for the little dots that are covering the repousse work. I thought maybe they were acanthus leaves?

Thanks again,
-Ruth