Interview with Jeffrey Herman

Interview with Jeffrey Herman

Jeffrey Herman has been a silversmith for over 35 years. In 1981 received a BFA in Silversmithing and Jewelry Making from Maine College of Art, Portland. After college, Herman went on to work at Gorham Manufacturing Company as a designer until 1983. In 1984, Herman left Gorham to pursue an independent career, starting a business in silver restoration and conservation. Since starting his own business, Herman has restored many Gorham pieces. In addition to his connection with Gorham, Herman has also been a resident of the Reservoir Triangle area for a number of years.

In this excerpt, Herman describes a trophy from Gorham’s Martelé line that was brought into his shop for restoration. Martelé products were crafted completely by hand, making them incredibly valuable.

October 27, 2011

Jeffrey Herman: A few years ago a potential customer came to my shop from Mystic Seaport. And, he brought a long a couple of trophies. One of these trophies was about 18 inches tall. And, it had, it was covered with a flannel bag. And, first I was excited by the size of it. But even though I hadn’t seen it I was just thinking that this was going to be something spectacular.

So he started to lift up the covering. And, the first half inch I saw I knew it was Martelé because it was a certain style. The hand fabricating of the feet. And as he’s bringing it up, I see coy going around the base. And he’s bringing it up a little bit higher probably another six inches or so there are three horse heads coming out of the center. And as he keeps bringing that, the flannel bag up there are three maidens that are, that are… winding up to the top of a bowl. A huge bowl. And, I remember, I can still feel today the hair on the back of my neck standing up. It was just, I was going absolutely nuts because it was probably the most incredible piece of Martelé I had ever seen.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jeffrey Herman

West Warwick, RI