The Winterthur Library

The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

Creator: Vincent Laforme, 1823-1893

Title: Drawings of Silver

Dates: ca. 1850-ca.1890

Call No.: Col. 652

Acc. No.: 71x246

Quantity: 200 items

Location: Map case 1, drawer 10 and Map case 2, drawer 1

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Vincent Laforme (1823-1893) was the son and brother of several silversmiths. Antoni (also called Anthony or Antoine) and Clara Laforme and their children left Germany around 1832 and settled in Boston in 1833. The father may have trained his sons Vincent and Francis J. to follow in his footsteps. Antoni died in 1846. Vincent set up his own silversmith shop in 1844 at 5 Water Street in Boston; he also did gilding. In 1850, Vincent took his brother Francis as his partner and changed the name of their business to Laforme and Brother. In 1854, the brothers parted company, with Francis changing the business name to F.J. Laforme & Co., but this went out of operation in 1857. Vincent briefly tried his hand at farming, but later returned to silversmithing. He was reported to be a good craftsman but a poor manager and was unable to compete with the larger silver factories. He turned to gilding and plating as the mainstay of his business. Vincent died in Boston in 1893, but his son Elmer continued to manage the firm under the name V. Laforme Co.; it did gilding work until 1909, when the company was bought out by Hallet & Smith.

In 1845, Vincent married Sarah Fielding. They had at least two sons, Frederick and Elmer, neither of whom became a silversmith. Sarah died in 1892.

Vincent and Francis had a brother named Joseph who became a successful merchant in Boston. Joseph sometimes helped Vincent with finances. Another relative was the silversmith Bernard Laforme who was listed in the 1834-1835 Boston directories; it is possible he was a brother of Antoni. More information about the Laformes may be found in Mechanization and Craft Structure in Nineteenth Century Silversmithing: The Laformes of Boston, a thesis by Janine Ellen Skerry (University of Delaware, 1981).

SCOPE AND CONTENT

This collection of 200 drawings from the Laforme silver workshop of Boston includes presentation drawings, templates, sketches, and outlines of tea and coffeepots, kettles on stands, pitchers, bowls, cups, goblets, chalices, monstrances, patens, centerpieces, and a few other silver forms. Many of the sketches include the proposed decoration of the pieces; grapevines, and oak leaves and acorns were popular motifs.

ORGANIZATION

The drawings are in accession number order.

PROVENANCE

Gift of J. Herbert Gebelein of Gebelein Silversmiths, Inc., of Boston, Massachusetts. Early in his career, George Gebelein had purchased Laforme’s tools, and these drawings were included with that purchase.

ACCESS POINTS

Topics:
Laforme and Brother.

F.J. Laforme & Co.

Silverwork – Massachusetts – Boston.

Silverwork, Victorian.

Silverwork – Designs and plans.

Drawings.

Silversmiths.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

Location: Map case 1, drawer 10, and Map case 2, drawer 1

[note: all accession numbers begin with 71x246]

.1a template for the body of a cream pitcher

.1b template for the body of a sugar bowl

.1c template for the body of a teapot

.1d template for the body of a coffeepot

.2 drawings on both sides of paper: one of a cream pitcher and the other of a coffee or teapot, included are handle patterns and numbers, indicating size or weight

.3 template of a footed bowl

.4 template for the body of a pitcher, showing some decoration; part of the base has been torn off; an extra decorative piece is pinned to the drawing

.5 drawing of a pitcher, with size and weight

.6 drawings of two pitchers

.7 drawing of a chafing dish on a tray, with a lamp and two shakers (paper bears watermark: J Whatman 1881)

.8 presentation drawing of a pitcher ornamented with grapevines

.9 drawing of a condiment stand, with a rope-like handle, showing a shaker, a jam pot, and a vinegar cruet

.10 drawing of a tray or the base of a stand

.11 presentation drawing of three cups with handles, each with a different decoration

.12 drawing of a pitcher, with decoration

.13 presentation drawing of a footed vase with two handles, with oak leaf and acorn decoration

.14 drawing of a pitcher, with grapevine decoration; on back: outline of a pitcher

.15 drawing of a covered hot milk pitcher with a butterfly as the finial; on back: the start of another drawing

.16 drawing of a pitcher, with floral decoration, initialed VL; on back: sketch of a handle (.88 is an outline of a very similar pitcher)

.17 rough sketch of a bowl with a handle, perhaps a sauce boat

.18 outline for the bowl of a chalice or cup; on back: a similar outline

.19 drawing of a tall footed pitcher with grapevine decoration

.20 drawing of a piece of church silver, probably a paten, decorated with IHS, two hearts, and a sun-like design; “4 oz. 5 dwt. when finished”

.21 drawing of a vase (possibly the body of a pitcher)

.22 presentation drawing of three pitchers, each decorated differently. (in oversize folder)

.23 template for the body of a pitcher

.24 template for the body of a pitcher, without base; some decoration is sketched out; on back: a rough sketch of an alternative design

.25 sketch of the base and lamp for a kettle or a chafing dish; on back: several rough sketches and numbers

.26 drawing of a coffeepot, with grapevine decoration (for companion pieces, see the note at .120)

.27 drawing of a footed bowl with oak leaf and acorn decoration and room for inscription

.28 drawings of three fire trumpets, each with different decorations

.29 rough sketch of some decoration

.30 partial drawing of a hot water kettle

.31 drawing of part of a hot water kettle; on back: small drawing of a sugar bowl, and part of a coffeepot or pitcher

.32 drawing of an ornamented handle; on back: drawing of a spout

.33 drawing of a conical pitcher or cruet

.34 template of a silver piece (perhaps the base for a piece of church silver), with some decoration indicated

.35 photograph of a statue of Benjamin Franklin

.36 rough drawing of a sugar bowl, with some grapevine decoration indicated (perhaps a preliminary sketch for .120)

.37 drawing of what are probably small bells (perhaps bowls for a candelabra or small goblets), one decorated with oak leaves and acorns, and the other decorated with grape leaves

.38 faint drawing of what is probably a monstrance; on the back: drawing of a covered dish

.39 drawing of a small beaker, with a shield to use for engraving the name Marion

.40 template for the body of a teapot

.41a-c templates, for the bodies of perhaps of cups, cream pitchers or small bowls

.42 template for the body of a slightly larger cup, pitcher, or bowl

.43 drawing of a round sugar bowl with lion’s paw feet, initialed VL

.44 drawing of a goblet or chalice, with floral decoration

.45 template for the body of a teapot, with some decoration; on back: drawing of lion’s paw feet

.46 drawing of a cup or mug without a handle; stamped on the paper is V. LAFORME. (in two places), COIN, BOSTON, which were touch marks used by Vincent Laforme

.47 template for the body of what may be a sugar bowl

.48 template for the body of a pitcher, cut out of a piece of paper on which an assortment of decorative designs had been drawn, including a musical motif, a cornucopia, and several leaves and flowers; on back: some very rough sketches

,49 presentation drawing of an decagonal tankard, with decoration

.50 template for the body of a coffeepot or pitcher

.51 template for the body of a coffeepot or pitcher (see note at .137)

.52a template for the body of a cream pitcher (see note at .137)

.52b template for the body of a sugar bowl or teapot (see note at .137)

.52c template for the body of a tea or coffeepot (see note at .137)

.53 drawing of a bowl on a raised stand (perhaps a table centerpiece), decorated with leaves and vines; on back: various sketches

.54 template, probably for a handle

.55 drawing for a template

.56a-b template for the body of a tall vase or pitcher

.57 drawing for the bowl of a chalice or goblet, labeled “This is the Pattern”

.58 presentation drawing of a set including a teapot, sugar bowl, and a cream pitcher, decorated with centaur heads and hoofs, butterflies, and flowers (in oversize folder)

.59 template for the bowl and part of the stem of a chalice or goblet

.60 presentation drawing of three footed cups, each a different shape and decorated differently

.61 template for the body of a pitcher, with a little decoration shown

.62 partial drawing of a pitcher, with calculations of ounces and costs (someone once stepped on this drawing and the words cushion heel Dorchester Mass now appear backwards on this drawing)

.63 presentation drawing of a chalice and a ciborium; the chalice is decorated with the head of Christ and the heads of angels; the ciborium is decorated with wheat stalks; drawing is signed V Laforme (in oversize file)

.64 template for an ostrich egg mounted on a tall base, the egg seems to have been cut opened and a mount added so the egg forms a box (it’s possible that the egg was also of silver, rather than being a real egg), decoration of base is shown

.65 sketch of a ciborium

.66 drawing of a ciborium, a more finished sketch than the one in .65, signed V. Laforme

.67 drawing of a ciborium, signed V. Laforme

.68 drawings of three covered chalices or goblets, one topped with a cross

.69a drawing of a small bowl, “13 oz. square” written on it

.69b drawing of a sugar bowl, a companion to the bowl in .69a, “13 oz. square” also written on it

,70 partial drawing of part of a ciborium and a small sketch of a tea or coffeepot; on back: partial drawing, probably of a ciborium

.71 template for a covered goblet with a cross on top, mounted on a piece of board

.72 template for a covered goblet, mounted on a piece of board

.73 template for a covered goblet, mounted on a piece of board

.74 presentation drawing of a ciborium, signed V. La Forme, Boston

.75a-b template for the body of a cream pitcher, and the envelope in which it was found

.76a presentation drawing of a teapot, sugar bowl, and cream pitcher, with leafy decorations, also a detail of part of the decoration

.76b drawings of a covered bowl and a covered dish

.77 outlines of pieces of silver; on back: outline of a coffee urn; includes some numbers

.78a-d templates for the bodies of a cream pitcher, a hot milk pitcher, a sugar bowl, and a teapot, all including dimensions

.79 template of a cruet, cut from a ledger sheet printed with the name Francis J. La Forme

.80 drawing of a hot water kettle with an oak leaf and acorn design (the lamp is not shown); on back: drawing of a tea or coffeepot plus details of the oak leaf and acorn design

.81 outline of the body of a cream pitcher (as identified on the back), “Acorn” is written on the front, includes dimensions

.82 template for the body of a cream pitcher or small bowl, “Acorn” is written on the back

.83 outline of the body of a sugar bowl (so identified on back), “Acorn” is written on one side; on back: a drawing of something

.84 template for the body of a coffee pot

.85 outline of the body of a teapot (as identified on the back), including dimensions

.86 template of a pitcher; on one side is a detailed drawing of a leaf and flower decoration; on the other side is a sketchy drawing of a different decoration (the same leaf and flower decoration is found on .129)

.87 drawing of a small pitcher, with some decoration shown (coordinates with the set described under .120)

.88 outline of a pitcher, handle not shown but with notes about dimensions and weight; on back: outline of a foot and partial sketch of a body of a pitcher or vase (see also .16 for a more finished sketch of a very similar pitcher, and .103 for a slightly larger version)

.89 outline of a goblet or chalice

.90 outline of a pitcher

.91 outlines of a teapot, possibly two sugar bowls, a pitcher, and a coffepot; some sizes and weights are given

.92a template for the body of a large covered cup, on a squat base

.92b template for the body of a large covered cup on a squat base, cut from paper on which was once sketched a landscape; two outlines of other silver pieces are drawn over part of the landscape; on back: miscellaneous other designs and outlines

.92c template of a goblet or cup on a squat base; on back: the remnants of another design and some numbers

.92d template of a goblet or cup on a squat base, showing decoration; on back: outline of a two handled cup or vase

.93 outline of a pitcher, without a handle, noting dimensions

.94 outline of a pitcher

.95 outline of a pitcher

.96 detailed drawing of a handle, perhaps for a tray, with oak leaves and acorns

.97 template for the body of a pitcher

.98 outline of a pitcher, showing a little decoration, and giving some dimensions and weights

.99 outline of a pitcher, with dimensions

.100 drawing of a water kettle on a stand, with a decoration of flowers and cherubs

.101 drawing of an s-shaped piece, with some holes indicated; “will send at 6 pm Friday – without fail – B.S. Shaw”

.102 drawing of a pitcher, but no decoration indicated

.103 template of part of a pitcher, without base or handle (see .88 for a slightly smaller version)

.104 sketch of a pitcher, indicating some decoration

.105 drawing of a pitcher

.106 detail of the rim of a pitcher, “A little chasing on top”

.107 outline of a pitcher; on back are some notes about an enameled pencil case

.108 drawing of a pitcher, with dimensions

.109a rough sketch of a pitcher, with penciled alternatives for lid, spout, and foot (see also .112)

.109b uncut templates for a teapot, sugar bowl, cream pitcher, two smaller pitchers, and a coffeepot, includes notations about quantities of metal required (see note for .137

.110 sketch of a pitcher, with oak leaf and acorn decoration

.111 planning sketch of two pitchers, with dimensions and overviews of the mouths

.112 outline of a pitcher (similar to .109a)

.113 presentation drawing of a teapot, with an elaborate leaf and flower finial (for a related finial see .124)

.114 outline of the body, probably of a teapot or sugar bowl, but no spout or handle is shown

.115 sketch of a two-handled covered cup, “Sugar a little smaller” is written in one corner

.116 outline of a vase, with dimensions

.117 outline of a vase, with weight

.118 outline of a pitcher, without a handle, but with dimensions and weight

.119 outline of a pitcher

.120 sketch of a sugar bowl, showing some decoration (for companion pieces, see .139, a teapot, .26, a coffeepot; and .87, a cream pitcher; see also .36, which is perhaps a rough draft for .120)

.121 sketch of a two-handled vase, showing some of the decoration of acorns and oak leaves

.122 outline of an oval, perhaps a small tray or the base of a stand

.123 template, perhaps of the body of a coffeepot; on it is written: “You will raise the body a plain(?) round the fluting & embossing. I will show by a rough model, which will facilitate you much as I cannot make it plane [sic] to you so well. This outline is the size of drawing.” There are some faint penciled lines on the paper, as well.

.124 drawing of a teapot, with leaf and flower finial for the lid and clawed paws for the feet (for a related finial see .113)

.125 sketch of the base of something, possibly a lamp, with sphinxes; also some other miscellaneous sketches

.126 drawing of a kettle on a stand, with oak leaf and acorn decoration; the lamp is not shown, however

.127 sketch of a hook-like device, with some holes, labeled “West Wing, Number, Mass. General Hospital”

.128 template of a lid or a base

.129 drawing of an urn, with dolphin feet, water lily decoration on the body, and a Chinese man as the finial (the same floral decoration is on .86, a pitcher

.130 outline of an s-shaped piece, labeled “guage [sic] 7 inglish plate”

.131 outline of a flask or tea caddy, with dimensions, “Chas. H. Begelow at Mrs. Clair’s, cor. Re[illegible] & Bowdoin”; on back: outlines of shapes

.132 drawings of a tea or coffeepot and a sugar bowl, with oak leaf and acorn decoration

.133 outline of part of a pitcher

.134 drawing of a pitcher with grapevine decoration, plus an enlargement of a detail of the decoration

.135 drawing of a coffeepot, with an eagle finial and spout

.136 drawings of a long handled spoon, from top and in profile

.137 presentation drawing, with pencil shading, of a teapot (according to Skerry’s thesis, this is the presentation drawing for the set indicated in .151 and.109b; .51 and .52a-c are slightly smaller templates than those in .109b, but are the same design; her thesis contains a photograph of the finished tea service)

.138 outline of part of a pitcher, without a handle; on back: small sketch of a covered cup

.139 sketch of a teapot, showing grapevine decoration (for companion pieces, see the note at .120)

.140 outline of a tea caddy, or small covered cup

.141 template of a sugar bowl, with handles

.142 outline of a cup

.143 drawings of a shell-shaped sauce boat

.144 drawing of a bowl or basin with an ivy leaf design on a broad rim

.145 template of a coffeepot, with a greyhound as a finial

.146 template of a vase

.147 template for the body of a pitcher; includes a sketch for a base for another piece

.148 drawing of a coffee pot, labeled “Antique Coffee Pott” (a Colonial Revival design)

.149 drawing of a tankard with a spout

.150 drawing of a condiment stand, showing a jam or mustard pot and a shaker, also an outline of the tray, with a note that the edge can be made more ornamented if desired

.151 planning sketch and notes for teapot, sugar bowl, and cream pitcher (see note at .137)

.152 drawings, perhaps details of hinges

.153 template of a semicircle shape

.154 outline of a small sugar bowl or covered cup

.155 template of a small bowl

.156 drawing of a small bowl

.157 drawing of a small bowl with three feet, with a floral design

.158 outline of a semicircle shape, perhaps for a bowl

.159 small drawing of a teapot; on back: sketch of part of a teapot

.160 template, perhaps for the body of a coffeepot

.161 outline of a small covered cup or sugar bowl, but without a handle; on back: miscellaneous sketches

.162 outlines of a sugar bowl and a cream pitcher, engraved A. M. Winsor, April 9, 1881; ordered by Walter J. Winsor, 1038 State Street

.163 partial outline, perhaps of a coffeepot

.164 outline of a pitcher, with an acorn at the end of the handle

.165 outline and profile of a condiment stand, with drawings of a lamp, a shaker, a covered bowl, and an uncovered bowl; on back: a partial sketch

.166 drawing of an ornate piece of silver with a handle; on back: drawing of a bowl with a hinged lid

.167 drawings of handles; on back: outlines and details of decoration on pitchers, with one pitcher partially cut out

.168 drawing of a stand of some sort; on back: a rough sketch

.169 outline of the body of a pitcher; on back: round shape labeled “pattern for small pitcher on the other side”

.170 template for the body of a tea pot or pitcher

.171 template of a bowl

.172 outline, perhaps of a teapot, including a detail of the handle, but not showing the spout; on back: a sauceboat, with detail of the handle

.173 presentation drawing, with pencil shading and chalk highlights, of a coffeepot, signed O. Hoffman, labeled La Forme, maker

.174 sketch of a monstrance, with detail of base

.175 partial outline of a cup

.176a template of a vase

.176b drawing of a tall centerpiece, with a mythological scene at its base (in oversize folder)

.177 outline of a pitcher with a V on the side and partial outline of a piece with a cross on top

.178 outline of a chalice, with some decoration shown

.179 outline of a goblet or small chalice

.180 drawing of a monstrance

.181 drawing of a chalice, base is shown decorated but cup is not

.182 outline of a chalice

.183 template of a chalice, put together with pins

.184 outline of a covered pitcher or a tankard with a spout

.185 planning sketch of a chalice and paten, showing some decoration, includes information about methods of construction and weights; on back: drawing of a paten engraved IHS

.186 outline of a chalice, with weight

.187 outline of a cup, shipped to A.L. Allen, Bath, Maine

.188 drawing of a goblet decorated with an animal head; on back: a sketch of a decoration for a goblet

.189 template of a goblet, showing the decoration

.190 rough outline of a cup; on back: rough outlines

.191 drawing of a pitcher, heavily ornamented with leaves and grapevines; on back: rough sketches

.192 outline sketch of a two-handled vase, with narrow neck opening

.193 sketch of a table centerpiece (a bowl on a tall base) (in oversize file)

.194a template for an unknown piece

.194b detail of a design for a monstrance, with a heart encircled by thorns; on back: sketch of a variation of a heart, this encircled by thorns and with a sword thrust into it, also some sketches of flowers

.195 sketch of a chalice

.196 partial outline of the bowl of a goblet or chalice

.197 template of a bowl on a raised foot, with some decoration shown, includes a note about making the base longer than indicated

.198 sketch of a chalice, labeled Praveling(?) Chalice

.199 planning sketch of a chalice and profile of a paten, indicating weights, also a cross design; on back: sketch of a chalice and profile of a paten

.200 sketch of a chalice