A Set of Sixteen American Silver and Mixed-metal Ko-gatama Fruit Knives, Gorham Mfg. Co., Provicence, RI, circa 1880

all with coppered bronze kodzuka handles and silver blades, the handles decorated with Japanese fishermen, warriors, fish, insects, flowers, cats, insects and birds, the blades bright-cut and engraved on both sides with sprays of bamboo, flowers, pine and insects, all engraved with monogram COM

Sen. Calvin S. Brice and Catherine Olivia Meily Brice, Ohio

a few knives with very tiny spots of bronze coming through, otherwise good condition, decoration crisp
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

An example of Gorham's ko-gatama fruit knives is illustrated Charles H. Carpenter, Gorham Silver 1831-1981, 1892, p. 94.

Calvin Brice (1845-1898) was born in 1845 in Denmark, Ohio to William Kilpatrick Brice, a Presbyterian minister, and his wife Elizabeth Stewart.  He received his undergraduate education from Miami University, before attending the University of Michigan, where he earned his law degree.  In 1870 he married Catherine Olivia Meily.  Brice worked briefly as a private attorney before joining the Lake Erie and Louisville Railroad law department.   With the support of Ohio Governor Charles Foster he was able to both guide the railroad through the Panic of 1873 and expand its coverage.  In 1887 Brice was named president of the company, which by then had been renamed the Lake Erie and Western Railroad.  Brice first entered politics in 1876 as an electoral candidate for Samuel J. Tilden, and in 1884 worked on the campaign of President Grover Cleveland.  From 1889 to 1892 he served as the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.  Brice was a United States Senator for Ohio from 1891-97.