Vintage Gorham Sterling Silver & Vermeil Unicorn Pendant Necklace

This is a vintage medallion pendant and chain produced by the renowned American silversmith Gorham. The pendant features a high-relief, repoussé-style profile of a unicorn encased within an open oval frame. The design is intricately detailed with a floral motif consisting of several roses surrounding the mythical creature. The unicorn's horn and the rose blooms exhibit a vermeil (gold-over-silver) finish, creating a two-tone aesthetic. Regarding construction, the piece is fashioned from sterling silver, indicated by the typical Gorham hallmarks likely located on the reverse. The pendant is suspended from a delicate rope-style link chain. The craftsmanship is of high quality, consistent with Gorham’s mid-to-late 20th-century jewelry lines, specifically popular during the late 1970s and 1980s. Physically, the item shows significant surface oxidation and heavy tarnish throughout the silver sections, giving it a dark patina, while the gold vermeil plating appears somewhat faded but still distinct. There are no visible breaks in the chain or structural damage to the pendant frame, though it would benefit from professional cleaning to restore the original luster of the precious metals. The style is characteristic of the romanticized fantasy aesthetic prevalent in collectible silver jewelry of the era.