This beverage service is the earliest documented set by Gorham and Thurber (later Gorham Manufacturing Company), one of the leading United States silver manufacturers active in the 19th and 20th centuries. An example of the ornate Rococo Revival style, the vessels are bulbous and boldly embossed with florid imagery related to their use. If you look closely at the pieces, you can see details such as tea leaves and scenes inspired by China on the teapot the largest of the set), cows in a pasture on the creamer, and a figure at work in a cane field on the sugar bowl.